This April 2025, Audemars Piguet has unveiled a new ceramic shade that pays homage to the legendary ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ – a shade that first graced the dial of the original Royal Oak in 1972. This new iteration draws its inspiration from the deep, clear night sky of the Vallée de Joux, a region that has long fueled the creative spirit of Swiss Haute Horlogerie. The new ceramic not only revives an iconic hue but also extends the time-honoured tradition of innovation by marrying ancestral know-how with modern manufacturing techniques. Developed over several years, this ceramic promises an unwavering uniformity of colour across components. The launch sees the new material dressing three distinct models across the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections, two of which are entirely rendered in the deep blue ceramic. With meticulous craftsmanship involving high-tech machining complemented by the careful hand-finishing typical of Audemars Piguet, the watchmaker reaffirms its commitment to design excellence and material innovation. This release also serves as a tribute to the region of Le Brassus, reinforcing its pivotal role in the brand’s 150-year history.
The cases of these new models exemplify Audemars Piguet’s ability to blend innovation with tradition. The 41 mm Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked features a case entirely crafted in the new ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ ceramic. This case is paired with a glareproofed sapphire crystal and a caseback, framed by titanium to ensure durability while offering a refined aesthetic. In contrast, the 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph also dons a full ceramic case, which extends to the push-pieces and even the crown. Here, the ceramic is complemented by stainless steel accents such as eight hexagonal screws and a titanium crown chip, enhancing the sporty yet sophisticated look of the timepiece. The third model, the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, takes a two-toned approach by combining a stainless steel case with distinctive ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ ceramic elements on the bezel, push-pieces, and crown. While the 41 mm model is water resistant to 50 m with a case thickness of 9.7 mm, the 42 mm and 43 mm variants enjoy water resistance up to 100 m, with case thicknesses of 15.3 mm and 14.4 mm respectively.
The dials of these new watches are a key element in expressing the unique ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ character. On the 41 mm Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, the dial is a ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ inner bezel that provides a subtle backdrop for the 18-carat pink gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands, accented with luminescent material. This simple yet striking display is designed to focus attention on the meticulously engineered openworked movement visible beneath the sapphire crystal. The 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph sports a Méga Tapisserie dial, where the ceramic tone is echoed in the counters and inner bezel. Complementary details such as 18-carat white gold hands and hour markers, along with white chronograph indications set on a blue background, add to the legibility and dynamic appeal of the dial. Meanwhile, the 43 mm model features a two-toned dial that marries stainless steel with the deep blue ceramic. Its Méga Tapisserie pattern is offset by light blue chronograph counters and a tachymeter scale rendered in white, while the dial also displays a subtle AP monogram in white gold at 12 o’clock. In every instance, the dials evoke the clear, inspiring night sky of the Vallée de Joux, reflecting both historical homage and modern technical sophistication.
At the heart of these timepieces lie impressive movements that marry modern engineering with a deep respect for watchmaking heritage. The Double Balance Wheel Openworked is powered by the selfwinding Calibre 3132. This movement is distinguished by its patented double balance wheel mechanism – a system that features two balance wheels and two hairsprings assembled on a single axis for enhanced precision and stability. Detailed with an openworked design, the movement has a total diameter of 26.6 mm, a thickness of 4.4 mm, and is composed of 245 parts with 38 jewels, guaranteeing a minimum power reserve of 45 hours and oscillating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour). Meanwhile, the 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph houses the Calibre 4404, an integrated chronograph movement that incorporates a column wheel and flyback function, facilitating seamless restarts. This movement, with a diameter of 32 mm and a thickness of 8 mm, comprises 433 parts and 40 jewels, offering a robust power reserve of 70 hours at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour). The 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is driven by the Calibre 4401, which shares similar technical virtues including the flyback chronograph function and detailed decoration visible through the sapphire caseback. Each movement not only ensures exceptional timekeeping but also reflects Audemars Piguet’s rigorous pursuit of technological advancement and watchmaking artistry.
The Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked and the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph both arrive with a ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ ceramic bracelet. These bracelets have titanium AP folding clasps, ensuring secure closure. For the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, the approach is more versatile. This model is equipped with an interchangeable strap system that includes a textured calfskin leather strap, rendered in a ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ hue and fastened with a stainless steel AP pin buckle. Additionally, an extra blue rubber strap is provided, affirming the sporty identity of the model.
While Audemars Piguet has focused primarily on the technical and aesthetic innovation behind the new ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ ceramic, the pricing details for these models have not been explicitly disclosed. Presented as a celebration of the brand’s 150-year heritage and its continual pursuit of pushing boundaries in materials and design, these three models are poised to attract both connoisseurs and collectors. For those interested, it is advisable to contact authorised Audemars Piguet retailers for more detailed information on pricing and availability as the models become available in selected markets later in 2025.
