Since 2015, Audemars Piguet’s Research and Development (RD) series has showcased groundbreaking advancements in watchmaking, blending technical innovation with timeless design. Each creation is a testament to the Manufacture’s pursuit of excellence.
Presented in 2015, The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie prototype, known as RD#1, revolutionised the case construction of traditional minute repeaters. Audemars Piguet’s patented Supersonnerie technology resulted from 8 years of development in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and a host of experts, including musicians.
Inspired by the sonic power of older minute repeater watches as well as by the harmony of musical instruments, a dedicated community of watchmakers, technicians, academics and musicians reviewed the case construction to produce a new chiming technology.
The Supersonnerie’s exceptional acoustic power, sound quality and harmonic tone are granted by patented gongs, case construction and striking regulator. The gongs are not attached to the mainplate, but to a new device acting as soundboard, which prevents sound absorption and boosts amplification. The redesigned striking regulator eliminates unwanted noise thanks to its more flexible anchor system. This innovative Supersonnerie technology also provides a sharper tempo.
The Royal Oak RD#2, introduced in 2018, marks a new watchmaking record. With a movement of 2.89 mm in thickness and a case of 6.3 mm in height, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin has become the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch.
To achieve this remarkable thinness, the perpetual calendar’s functions have been merged onto one single level instead of 3.
This led to the development of two pioneering and patented innovations: the end-of-the-month cam has been integrated to the date wheel, while the month cam has been combined to the month wheel. The geometry of each component has also been optimised from the onset, reducing adjustment and assembly time.
This creation paves the way for a new generation of complicated watches balancing refined aesthetics, optimum ergonomics, technical complexity, ancestral savoir-faire and contemporary lifestyle.
In 2022, Audemars Piguet unveiled its latest research and development breakthrough (RD#3) with the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin to celebrate the iconic collection's jubilee. This 39 mm stainless steel anniversary model, measuring 8.1 mm in thickness, represents the first “Jumbo” in history to be equipped with a selfwinding flying tourbillon. It is powered by the Manufacture’s new selfwinding ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 2968, measuring just 3.4 mm thick and adorned with a novel combination of traditional and contemporary hand-crafted decorations.
Audemars Piguet’s engineers and watchmakers took on numerous challenges in order to accommodate this complication – previously reserved for 41 mm diameters – into the smaller volume of a “Jumbo.” Given the extra-thin nature of the form language, this selfwinding flying tourbillon had to be creatively rethought to reduce the thickness required to house this complication by repositioning certain components. The tourbillon cage is crafted in titanium and equipped for the first time with a peripheral drive. The combination of these two elements makes the distribution of energy to the tourbillon more fluid, while lightening and refining this regulating organ.
Audemars Piguet engineers also redesigned the mechanism's architecture to provide optimum visibility of the tourbillon. Calibre 2968 features a new escapement to accentuate its aesthetic details while revealing part of its inner workings. The geometry and positioning of the balance wheel arms have notably been revised to make the watch’s beating heart even more perceptible. The movement's technical design results in the flying tourbillon being placed at the dial level, for a greater visual experience.
Pushing the boundaries of feasibility, this model will be complemented in September by a second 37 mm version for the slimmer wrists, enriched with a dial of a different hue.
This extra-thin 37 mm anniversary Royal Oak, powered by Calibre 2968, embodies the Manufacture's first ever selfwinding flying tourbillon offered in a 37 mm diameter. Endowed with a new plum Petite Tapisserie dial and an innovative escapement system, this stainless steel timepiece blends technical feats with meticulous aesthetic.
Culminating seven years of research and development and drawing upon human talent across various disciplines, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Universelle pays tribute to the Grande Complication.
In this episode of AP talks, Sébastian Vivas, Raphaël Balestra, Lucas Raggi, Giulio Papi and Anne-Gaëlle Quinet provide insight into the making of AP’s most complicated watch, explaining the complications, precision and miniaturisation that went into the creation.
An exceptional timepiece, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultra Complication Universelle RD#4 features the Manufacture Calibre 1000. It comprises 1140 components and is endowed with 40 functions, including a Grande Sonnerie, a Supersonnerie, minute repeater, tourbillon, flyback, chronograph, split-seconds chronograph, astronomical moon, moon phases and large date.
This watch was the ultimate challenge for our development team. It required an evolution of our internal processes in order to allow four people to work on the calibre at the same time. The level of miniaturisation achieved is a true milestone for Audemars Piguet and paves the way for the next generation of complicated mechanisms.
Lucas Raggi
Research and Development Director, Audemars Piguet
Combining technical sophistication, performance and iconic design with a new standard of ergonomic refinement, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 redefines the chronograph for the modern era.
RD#5 began with a challenge: to create a complicated timepiece that is comfortable, intuitive and suited to today’s lifestyle. Guided by a comprehensive ergonomic study, our teams collaboratively engineered the movement, case and design – delivering tailored solutions aligned with wearer expectations.
The result: the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph – a reflection of 150 years of working together to push the boundaries of haute horlogerie.
After ten years of RD series, it is time to turn a new page and accelerate innovation at Audemars Piguet as the Manufacture will be entering the next 150 years of its history. The pioneering spirit of the RD series is expanding and cross pollinating thanks to the creation of the AP Fabrication Laboratories — dedicated spaces for research, prototyping, experimentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
These Fab Labs will enable faster and more agile developments, tackling all dimensions of the product: ergonomics, materials, design, métiers d’art, etc… Fab Labs will be a permanent feature of AP’s innovation ecosystem and will provide the environment for the next generations of breakthroughs.
Our R&D Lab unveils a New Innovative Ceramic
A new polychrome ceramic is introduced, marking a first in the watchmaking industry.
Read moreAP Talks about the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Universelle
Culminating seven years of research and development and drawing upon human talent across various disciplines, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Universelle pays tribute to the Grande Complication.
Read moreThe “Universelle”, Simply Complicated
Created in 1899, the watch known as the “Universelle” is one of the most complicated watches in the world.
Read moreAP Talks about the genesis of the Royal Oak
During the early years of the quartz crisis, Audemars Piguet created a stir with the launch of the Royal Oak.
Read moreAP Talks about the Royal Oak 50th anniversary
Since its launch in 1972, the Royal Oak has been in permanent dialogue with the world that has inspired it.
Read moreThe Royal Oak “Jumbo” Models
The 1972 Royal Oak and its ultra-thin 39 mm descendants are often nicknamed “Jumbo” due to their large diameter.
Read on AP ChroniclesBirth of the Royal Oak Offshore
Youthful, definant, and ultra-creative, the Royal Oak Offshore redefined sports watches in the early 1990s.
Read on AP ChroniclesArticle: Birth of an Icon
One of the most recognisable and iconic watches in history, the story behind the Royal Oak has become legend.
Read on AP ChroniclesWe 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.
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