The heart of the watch is laid bare in stunning detail
Audemars Piguet unveils three new references of its Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, each housed in an eye-catching 41mm case. Available in stainless steel, black ceramic, and 18-carat yellow gold, they showcase the intricate architecture of the self-winding Calibre 3132.
The art of open-working, a technique dating back to the 1930s, is at the heart of these timepieces. This meticulous process involves removing material from the mainplate and bridges to expose the mechanism’s inner beauty—a hallmark of Audemars Piguet’s craftsmanship.
In the stainless steel and black ceramic versions, the movement features a new pink-gold tone, adding a warm, luminous touch to the intricate design. The pink-gold accents extend to the inner bezel, creating a striking contrast. Pink-gold hexagonal screws on the bezel further enhance this vivid interplay of colours.
The stainless-steel version features 18-carat white gold hour markers and hands for optimal legibility, while the black ceramic model offers a sleek, modern aesthetic with blackened rhodium markers and hands. Notably, the latter is engraved with “Limited Edition of 150 Pieces” on its titanium and sapphire caseback.
The 18-carat yellow gold reference stands out with its bold design, pairing the bright precious metal with an anthracite grey open-worked movement. The matching inner bezel, featuring a white-printed seconds scale and “Audemars Piguet” logo, complements the yellow gold hour markers and hands. These luminescent markers ensure excellent visibility, even in low light, completing the sophisticated two-tone aesthetic.
All three models are driven by the Calibre 3132, a self-winding movement featuring a double balance wheel mechanism. This patented innovation, introduced by Audemars Piguet in 2016, enhances precision and stability. The dual balance wheels and hairsprings, aligned on the same axis, oscillate in perfect harmony. This intricate mechanism is visible through the open-worked design, with hand-finished polished V-angles on the bridges reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship that defines these exceptional timepieces.
