Known for its clarity, the distinctive shade of the Vallée de Joux’s night sky has fuelled the imagination and creativity of Audemars Piguet's artisans for generations. This deep blue hue now graces ceramic to dress two distinctive Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronographs.
Developed over several years, this material showcases the Manufacture’s relentless quest for innovation in terms of design and materials, while paying tribute to the region of Le Brassus where Audemars Piguet was founded 150 years ago.
Combining high-tech machining with traditional finishing, this unique material brings together a wide range of modern watchmaking skills. While several years of development went into applying the "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" shade to ceramic and ensuring a homogenous hue that could be reproduced, each watch component undergoes meticulous hand-finishing in the final stages of production to further embellish the depth of colour and enhance plays of light.
Now available in white, black, brown, blue, green and grey, ceramic continues to push the boundaries of both style and function, reflecting the brand’s enduring commitment to exploring materials by combining tradition with innovation.
The sky of the Vallée de Joux has played a key role in the history of Audemars Piguet, inspiring this new ceramic. This launch is a tribute to both the region and its talents, and to our relentless quest for innovation.
Ilaria Resta
Chief Executive Officer, Audemars Piguet
The 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph presents a sportive monochromatic design in “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic, which echoes the hue of the inner bezel, "Méga Tapisserie" dial, and chronograph counters. The homogenous aesthetic is subtly contrasted by eight white gold hexagonal screws punctuating the bezel, as well as luminescent 18-carat white gold hands and hour-markers. This reference also welcomes a brand-new ceramic bracelet, whose pins connecting the studs to the links are now seamlessly integrated for an elegant rendering.
Combining stainless steel with “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic on the bezel, push-pieces and crown, the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph boasts a powerful two-toned aesthetic that extends to the dial. Its matching “Méga Tapisserie” pattern accentuates the timepiece’s robust silhouette while serving as a perfect backdrop for the 18-carat hands and hour-markers filled with luminescent material. The chronograph counters are rendered in a lighter blue with white indications for enhanced contrast offering optimum readability. Mounted on a textured calfskin leather strap matching the colour of the ceramic, this model is equipped with the interchangeability system and comes with an additional blue rubber strap.
These two novelties house the Manufacture’s latest integrated selfwinding chronograph movements. The 43 mm reference is powered by Calibre 4401, while the 42 mm model is equipped with Calibre 4404, both featuring the flyback function, which allows the wearer to reset and restart the chronograph without having to stop it first. In addition to revealing the movement’s refined decorations and the dedicated oscillating weight, the sapphire caseback offers a unique view of the column wheel’s inner workings, bringing together aesthetic refinement and watchmaking excellence.
In his experimental approach to the world of “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”, Hugo Mapelli merges traditional techniques with modern equipment for a unique visual experience. This Paris-based photographer’s dialectical method reflects the historic significance behind the iconic shade of blue while drawing inspiration from Audemars Piguet’s relentless exploration of materials.
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.
?size=1071,515&fmt=avif-alpha&dpr=off){kind=logo}
