Introducing Audemars Piguet Unveils Royal Oak “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Collection

Audemars Piguet is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and the brand has already treated us to a series of remarkable releases, including new movements and the retirement of some legendary calibres. While Audemars Piguet is not among the participating brands at Watches and Wonders, the maison has nonetheless made headlines by unveiling a trio of new timepieces that showcase an exciting new ceramic hue: Bleu Nuit.

This deep, nocturnal blue pays tribute to the night sky above the Vallée de Joux, a landscape that also inspired Gérald Genta when he created the iconic dark blue dial of the first Royal Oak, reference 5402, in 1972.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Blut Nuit 41 mm

The first of the three novelties is the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50", a celebrated design within the maison's repertoire. We've seen this model in various materials over the years, from stainless steel to gold, and in ceramic, first in black, then in a special white ceramic edition created for the UAE in 2024. Now, this anniversary edition arrives in a stunning dark blue ceramic, adding a new chapter to the Royal Oak legacy.

The 41 mm case, with a slim profile of just 9.7 mm, is meticulously crafted from Bleu Nuit ceramic. It is fitted with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and a sapphire crystal caseback, offering water resistance up to 50 meters.

The intricate mechanism showcases one balance wheel positioned between 7 and 8 o’clock on the dial, while the mainspring is located at 2 o'clock. Skeletonized bridges and a main plate provide a clear view of the movement's inner workings.

Powering this exceptional timepiece is the automatic openworked Caliber 3132, an in-house movement developed and manufactured by Audemars Piguet. This movement features a double balance wheel system and a skeletonized oscillating weight, beautifully showcasing its intricate mechanics. Composed of 245 components, the Caliber 3132 operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and offers a power reserve of 45 hours.

Technical specifications: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 41 mm

• Reference: 5416CD.OO.1225CD.01               
• Case: dark blue ceramic, white gold hexagonal screws, octagonal bezel, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback 
• Diameter: 41 mm
• Height:  9.7  mm
• Water resistance: 50 m
• Dial: openworked, rhodium-plated bridges, blue inner bezel, rose gold applied hour-indices, rose gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent material
• Movement: automatic Caliber 3132, in-house, openworked, double balance wheel, skeleton oscillating weight, 245 components,  38 jewels 
• Power reserve: 45 hours
• Frequency:  21,600  VPH (3 Hz)
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds 
• Bracelet / Strap : integrated blue ceramic bracelet, with titanium folding clasp
• Price:  CHF 88,000  which is equivalent to 375,500 AED

Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42 & 43 mm

The 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph makes a bold statement with a full ceramic case that extends seamlessly to the push-pieces and crown. Accentuating its robust silhouette are stainless steel details, including the signature eight hexagonal screws and a titanium crown guard, which together enhance the timepiece’s sporty yet refined aesthetic.

Meanwhile, the third release in the collection, the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, embraces a striking two-tone design, pairing a stainless steel case with ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ ceramic elements adorning the bezel, push-pieces, and crown.

While the 41 mm model offers water resistance up to 50 meters and maintains a slender profile at just 9.7 mm thick, the Offshore variants take it a step further. Both the 42 mm and 43 mm versions boast water resistance up to 100 meters, with case thicknesses of 15.3 mm and 14.4 mm respectively, underscoring their robust, adventure-ready credentials.

The 42 mm Offshore Chronograph features the signature Méga Tapisserie dial pattern, with the blue ceramic tone echoed in the subdials and inner bezel. Enhancing both readability and visual appeal, the dial is set with 18-carat white gold hands and hour markers, while the white chronograph indications stand out vividly against the blue backdrop.

In contrast, the 43 mm model offers a refined two-tone dial, combining the cool sheen of stainless steel with the richness of deep blue ceramic. Its Méga Tapisserie motif is complemented by light blue chronograph counters and a white tachymeter scale, while an elegant AP monogram in white gold at 12 o’clock lends an added touch of distinction.

Powering the 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore is the Calibre 4404, an integrated chronograph movement featuring a column wheel and flyback function, enabling swift resets and restarts. This sophisticated calibre, with its 32 mm diameter and 8 mm thickness, comprises 433 components and 40 jewels, delivering a robust 70-hour power reserve at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour).

The 43 mm Offshore model is equipped with the Calibre 4401, sharing similar technical prowess, including the flyback chronograph function and exquisite decorative finishes visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. Comprising 381 components and 40 jewels, this movement offers reliability paired with horological finesse.

Both the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked and the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models are fitted with matching ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ ceramic bracelets. These are secured by titanium AP folding clasps, ensuring both comfort and security on the wrist.

Technical specifications: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph (42mm & 43mm)
 

• Reference: 26238CD.OO.1300CD.01 ‘’42mm’’
  26420SO.OO.A029VE.01 ‘’43’’
• Case: blue ceramic, with titanium for the  42 mm edition, with stainless steel for the 43 mm edition
• Diameter: 42 mm / 42 mm
• Height:  15.3 mm / 14.4 mm
• Water resistance: 100 m
• Dial: Blue dial, Méga Tapisserie pattern, Applied hour-indices and hands in 18-carat white gold filled with luminescent material
• Movement: automatic, in house, AP calibre 4404, in-house, automatic, flyback chronograph, 433 parts, 40 jewels (Offshore 42mm)
  AP calibre 4401, in-house, automatic, flyback chronograph, 381 parts, 40 jewels (Offshore 43mm)
• Power reserve: 70 hours
• Frequency:  28,800 VPH (4 Hz)
• Functions: Chronograph, hours, minutes, centre seconds, date
• Bracelet / Strap: Ceramic bracelet with titanium clasp for theOffshore 42mm, Interchangeable leather strap with extra rubber strap, stainless steel buckle 43mm
• Price:  75,700 CHF which is equivalent approximately to 323,000 AED for the 42 mm
  37 300 CHF which is equivalent approximately to 159,200 AED for the 43 mm