For the first time, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie offers a minute repeater in a full ceramic case. The two new 42 mm variants of the Royal Oak with Minute Repeater and Supersonnerie integrate the latest research results from a long-standing collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. With the Supersonnerie mechanism and the minute repeater movement, calibre 2953, these watches offer acoustic indulgence despite the compromised sound propagation of ceramics.
The case measures 42 mm in diameter and 14 mm in height. It is crafted from black ceramic on zirconium oxide powder (ZrO2). After sintering at a temperature of over 1000°C, each component receives a pre-machining. Then, to finally achieve the typical alternation of satin finishes and polished bevels, the artisans finish the parts by hand. Meanwhile, eight white gold screws hold the result together. For the first time, the case back is also of black ceramic, which is a challenge for the sound quality. To counter this, air openings are cut into the back, which enable a clear sound. As a tribute to the complication, the manufacture engraves sound waves on the caseback. The water resistance is 20 metres.
The dial with “Grande Tapisserie” motif features applied indices. Alternatively, the second version offers 13 baguette-cut diamond indexes instead (~ 0.84 carats). The Royal Oak hands in white gold are luminescent and indicate the time together with the small seconds. Since the facelift of 2022, the Audemars Piguet lettering at 12 o’clock is galvanised. In this process, the watchmakers apply fine layers of gold on top of each other, similar to 3D printing.
The Audemars Piguet 2953 enables the minute repeater. It consists of 362 individual parts and beats at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour or 3 hertz. After being wound by hand, it offers a power reserve of 72 hours. With the help of the Supersonnerie technology presented in 2015, it achieves an extraordinary sound volume and resonance despite the difficult case material. The tone springs are not located on the main plate, as is usually the case, but on a titanium membrane that acts as a sounding board. Together with the openings at the bottom of the enclosure, a wide variety of case materials are possible while still achieving high sound quality.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie appears on a black rubber strap with titanium lugs and AP folding clasp. The price is 435,000 euros and 448,000 euros for the variant with diamond indices.
