Acoustic Research – Episode 1 The sound awakens Exceptional engineering and the power of sound merge in one of the most innovative concept watches created by a Swiss haute horlogerie watchmaking house. The result of an in-depth eight-year sound research programme with three patents pending, this new
Acoustic Research – Episode 1 The sound awakens
Exceptional engineering and the power of sound merge in one of the most innovative
concept watches created by a Swiss haute horlogerie watchmaking house. The result
of an in-depth eight-year sound research programme with three patents pending, this
new Royal Oak Concept watch, a unique prototype, will be unveiled by Audemars
Piguet at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2015 (SIHH) in Geneva
A HIGH-DEFINITION ACOUSTIC MASTERPIECE
Engineered within Audemars Piguet’s acoustic research lab, this new Royal Oak
Concept is the first chiming watch so acoustically considered as to become a sound
concept in its own right. It has been sonically developed through an ongoing acoustic
study programme in collaboration with the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de
Lausanne) and it took three years to transfer that technological study into a watch
concept. The result is scientifically defined sonic targets for watchmakers to measure
and attain the ‘perfect’ minute repeater sound at a volume level never achieved before.
By applying the principles of stringed instrument making, Audemars Piguet has made a
breakthrough in the acoustic quality of chiming watch technology and significantly
enhanced sound transmission. In parallel, the Manufacture has innovated to overcome
the necessary restrictions of water-resistance, which naturally dampens volume, with
creative solutions increasing sound intensity. Finally, to further improve sound perception, Audemars Piguet developed a new – almost silent – striking mechanism
regulator. The result? The volume, pitch, tones and harmony of sound in a modern
water-resistant minute repeater watch are all scientifically enhanced.
For the first time in the history of chiming wristwatches, this timepiece isn’t a minute
repeater simply meant for the confidential use of its wearer. Instead, its unique sound
becomes a powerful experience to be shared.
The family-owned watchmaker took a passionate as well as a technological approach
to the study programme, engaging a carefully chosen community of researchers,
including watchmakers, artisans, technicians and academics. The inner working of
musical instruments was explored by a stringed instrument maker, an esteemed
academic of the Geneva conservatory contributed on the subject of perceived sound,
and an engineer from EPFL worked to improve sonic quality. Each added to the texture
of the research programme, preventing it from becoming a simple academic exercise
and highlighting sound as an expressive tool.
This new piece is a milestone in Audemars Piguet’s rich history of creating inventive,
masterful and unique concepts: it breaks the rules of chiming watches by mastering
sound.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MOVEMENT
Hand-wound Manufacture movement with minute repeater, tourbillon and columnwheel
chronograph
Total diameter 29.90 mm (13 ¼ lignes)
Minimal guaranteed power reserve > 48 h
Frequency of balance wheel 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations / hour)
CASE
Titanium case, Titanium bezel, titanium push piece guards.
Diameter: 44 mm
Water Resistance: 20 m
DIAL
Black dial, black counters, Royal Oak concept hands with luminescent coating.
STRAP
Black rubber with titanium folding buckle
FUNCTIONS
Hours and minutes
Chronograph with central sweep-seconds hand, 30-minute counter (at 3 o’clock)
Minute Repeater
About Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families
(Audemars and Piguet). Since 1875, the company has written some of the finest chapters in the history of
Haute Horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura,
numerous masterpieces are created in limited series embodying a remarkable degree of horological
perfection, including daring sporty models, classic and traditional timepieces, splendid ladies’ jewellerywatches,
as well as one-of-a-kind creations.
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2014-11-26 08:01:03 This message has been edited by MichaelC on 2014-11-29 19:48:04
