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Furthering Material Exploration
Audemars Piguet has tirelessly explored new creative territories in terms of watchmaking techniques, complications, materials and breakthrough designs. Combining innovation with cutting-edge watchmaking technology, our timepieces play with the limits of material feasibility.
CONSTANT RESEARCH INTO innovative materials
Throughout its history, Audemars Piguet has combined a variety of materials and developed avant-garde and sometimes disruptive aesthetics. This boundless creativity reflects the pioneering and free spirit that the Manufacture has preserved and nurtured for generations.
It is thanks to the meticulous work of artisans that materials such as steel, titanium, carbon or ceramic have been ennobled and given a place in the world of watchmaking.
1972
The Royal Oak's steel armour features high-end finishes hitherto reserved for gold.
1986
The Bamboo collection introduces the use of ceramics at Audemars Piguet.
1998
The Royal Oak Offshore collection introduces new materials, including titanium.
2001
The Royal Oak Offshore subversively covers its steel bezel in rubber.
2002
The Royal Oak Concept makes its debut, combining Alacrite 602 with titanium.
2007
Audemars Piguet introduces its first full carbon watch.
2008
The Royal Oak Concept Carbon Tourbillon and Chronograph marks a new milestone in avant-garde design.
2017
Audemars Piguet introduces its first full ceramic watch, including the bracelet, in the Royal Oak collection.
2023
Audemars Piguet introduces a precious form of Bulk Metallic Glass in the Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin.
2024
The Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date model premiers the use of an innovative coloured forged carbon.
Library of materials
Chroma Forged Carbon Technology
Created in Audemars Piguet’s R&D workshops using the Chroma Forged Technology (CFT), this innovative deep black material offers a new aesthetic with subtle touches of colour.
Audemars Piguet was the first brand to introduce forged carbon to watchmaking in 2007. After five years of research and development, we are proud to present a brand-new generation of forged carbon, which can be coloured while retaining its excellent mechanical properties.
Lucas Raggi
Research and Development Director, Audemars Piguet
Polychrome ceramic
A new polychrome ceramic is introduced, marking a first in the watchmaking industry. This chroma ceramic, which features an unprecedented camouflage aesthetic, was developed by Audemars Piguet’s R&D teams using the latest Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technology, which allows the ceramic powder to be sintered rapidly.
More about materials
The Royal Oak opens up to other Materials
This article looks at the introduction of gold into the Royal Oak collection.
Read on AP Chronicles
The Journey of mastering Materials
This article tells the story of some of these materials and highlights their place within the Audemars Piguet collections.
Read on AP Chronicles
Our R&D Lab unveils a new Innovative Ceramic
A new polychrome ceramic is introduced, marking a first in the watchmaking industry.
Read more
Find a boutique
We invite you to visit our AP Houses and boutiques to explore a variety of Audemars Piguet timepieces and receive expert watch servicing from our skilled professionals, by appointment or walk-in.