Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Now in White Ceramic

Back in 2017, Audemars Piguet showed an innovative spirit by presenting its first full ceramic watch (bracelet included), the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black. Needless to say, this watch is one of the hottest editions in the collection, with its unique stealth look and its complex movement. Based on this concept, Audemars Piguet introduces a new version, perfect for summer, with an entire habillage made of white ceramic. 

What was the deal back in 2017, with the previous black ceramic model? Well, in short, it was the first time that Audemars Piguet presented a watch entirely crafted in ceramic, case and bracelet included… You could argue that many other brands did it before, however, you have to consider that the watch used as a base was the Royal Oak with its complex shapes and surfaces. Indeed, delivering the same level of details on a ceramic case and bracelet as found on a steel Royal Oak is nothing short of an achievement. The result is visually stunning, and this watch had one of the best ceramic bracelets we have ever seen! The finishing of the bracelet alone requires 30 hours, which is five times longer than for the steel version.

For the rest, this full ceramic version took the 2015 steel or gold models as a base to set the tone. Audemars Piguet redefined the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, distilling the essence of two brand icons (the Royal Oak and the Perpetual calendar) into a new, modern perspective.

For 2019, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is now back in a new, unprecedented, full-white ceramic attire, from head to toe. The surfaces retain the classic Royal Oak design, with polished bevels on the sides and brushed surfaces for the flat parts of the case and bracelet.

The dial of this new white ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is also different from the all-black model, with a blue “Grande Tapisserie” background with silver-coloured subdials – overall, a quite satisfying nautical look, which reminds us a bit of the unique piece done for Only Watch 2017. The moon-phase indication is displayed thanks to a laser microstructured disc, laid on aventurine.

The movement inside this white ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is also retained and is the ultra-thin automatic Calibre 5134. Based on the iconic calibre 2120 (found in the original 1972 Royal Oak, once manufactured by LeCoultre, now produced in-house), it adds a complex QP module on top with date, day, month, week number, leap year and moon phase. The movement, finished with Haute-Horlogerie details, is visible through the sapphire caseback.

Price and availability

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar White Ceramic 26579CB.OO.1225CB.01 will be, as the all-black ceramic model, a non-limited boutique exclusive edition – however, production is low and getting one will require some patience. It will be priced at CHF 94,300 or EUR 95,300 or USD 93,900 (same price as the full black model)

More details at www.audemarspiguet.com.