Audemars Piguet recently has announced two new Royal Oak models in white ceramic cases.
While looking at Audemars Piguet’s new two models in white ceramic cases, I thought about the history of ceramic. Ceramic has ben used by mankind for almost 16,000 years in high watchmaking, yet it has been used since the 1960s in high watchmaking industry. Rado, Omega and IWC were the first brands that begin researching for using ceramic cases; and the first was made from ceramic introduced by IWC in 1986. In the same year, Rado announced the Integral that first series in which case and bracelet were made of ceramic. Since then, ceramic case/bracelet models, with their scratch-resistant, lightweight construction and aesthetic appearance, have been a sought-after and high-price segment of high watchmaking world.
As one of the giants of watchmaking world, Audemars Piguet added the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic to Royal Oak collection at SIHH in 2017. Within years, white ceramic cases have become much rarer than black ceramic models. That’s why, new models in white ceramic cases have become much rarer than black ceramic models. So much so that, AP’s new two timepieces in white ceramic turn heads.
The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked Only Watch Edition is one of these watches that introduced which is exclusively created for Only Watch auction in November. The Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon was first unveiled last year as one of the watches produced for Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary series. Now, a new model has been created for the charity auction Only Watch in white ceramic case with a 41 mm diameter and white ceramic bracelet. The white ceramic is accompanied by blue details on the dial which houses flying tourbillon. The estimated price is between 300,000 – 350,000 CHF.
Other watch is the Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm. Just like black ceramic model, this new timepiece comes with a 34mm diameter white ceramic case and bracelet. The silver Grande Tapisserie dial is designed with rose gold markers and classic Royal Oak hands. The timepiece houses automatic movement caliber 5800 with a 50-hour power reserve.
