Audemars Piguet SIHH 2018 Novelties Live Pics

KIH · 2018-01-16T14:05:57Z

Explore Audemars Piguet SIHH 2018 novelties: Royal Oak RD#2, Flying Tourbillon GMT, and Offshore models with live photos.

KIH

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

31 replies9508 views78 photos

KIH offers an exclusive first look at Audemars Piguet's SIHH 2018 novelties, providing live photographs and detailed insights. This article highlights groundbreaking innovations like the Royal Oak RD#2, the world's thinnest perpetual calendar, and new Royal Oak Concept models. Collectors gain valuable perspective on AP's latest technical achievements and design updates.

31 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

You may have already read/ seen official release + pics, but here are some live pics. Enjoy!

New AP gloves feel like "Spider Man" costume.... How should I know....

)

Royal Oak COncept Flying Tourbillon GMT

The first Flying Tourbillon on RO Concept.

The crown position is shown at 6h (showing "winding position")

Time adjust position.

One of the highlight of this year - the world's thinnest center-rotor automatic perpetual calendar watch.

2.89mm thinness movement, 6.3mm case thickness.

Royal Oak RD#2

(RD#1 is 2015 Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater)

So, no release date announced, no price announced. This model is platinum case.... Water resistance at 20m. Case size 41mm.

One may wonder why they did not choose half-rotor or even the manual winding watch..... Okay, for the perpetual calendar, manual winding is a bit tough sell. And half rotor is not in Royal Oak DNA. Besides, if made even thinner,, the total balance of the watch in the context of Royal Oak design would get a bit awkward.... Makes sense....

How did they make it so thin? They explained to me in great detail, but did not allow me to take notes or pics. Simply speaking, the cam and gear combo for day change, and the cam and gear combo for month change were both put in to single gear (with very innovative shapes of the teeth) respectively. When you hear it, it's a simple innovation like Columbus' egg, but it took so many decades to come here. Can't wait this will come to actual production model.

It

Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph

Introduced so many times here already....

Hand winding offshore is rare....

45mm is a bit big for my wrist, but this is 25th anniversary of Offshore

)

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph - kind of re-issue of the 1993 "Original" Offshore.

Mini tapestry pattern dial, rubber pusher, crown cover.

Did you know that the first 100 "Original" first Offshore case back says just "Royal Oak", and from 101th piece, they put "Offshore"? If you own "Royal Oak" only case back Offshore, you have quite rare one!

There are colorful Offshore Diver

Now, this is JAPAN ONLY MODEL!

Pink Gold case, Titanium bezel and link. Grey dial. Grey rubber band.

Green.

Beige

Turquoise Blue

Here are three lady's Millenary models

1st one is WG case, WG bracelet with diamond on. Look at the vintage-look bracelet. This is called "Polish (as in Poland) Bracelet".

Without adjustment, this fits quite nicely to my wrist

)

Really vintage type bracelet clasp.

White MOP dial.

The most expensive on among the three.

Pink Gold case, white opal dial, and blast finish case.

A bit hard to tell the time?

The last one is the PG version of the first model. Same price.

Now, being 25th Anniversary, new Offshore models.

Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in PG. Pusher and the crown are ceramic. Mega tapestry pattern (mini is guilloche, mega is embossed).

... and the titanium version.

Much lighter, of course....

The last one is SS case, green ceramic bezel, camouflage rubber band. Fun!

Overall, Audemars Piguet is again going at top speed with many new models and yet another innovative caliber. Would love to see others as well as the concept model at the boutique soon!

Thanks for looking. Phew!

Ken

Key Points from the Discussion

The new Royal Oak RD#2, the world's thinnest perpetual calendar, is incredibly impressive, weighing around 230g in full platinum and fitting comfortably on the wrist despite its 41mm size due to its thinness.
The Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT case has improved curvature, making it fit like a glove and a serious consideration for collectors who previously found it less comfortable.
The smoked blue dial platinum 42mm Royal Oak Offshore did not receive much coverage but is fantastic in person, even preferred over the fume grey version by one collector.
The innovative thinness of the RD#2 movement was achieved by integrating cam and gear combos for day and month changes into single gears with uniquely shaped teeth, a simple yet decades-in-the-making innovation.
The titanium and platinum 15202 was unavailable for photos as it was in a deal-negotiating room, indicating high demand for this specific reference.
If the RD#2 were made in lighter materials like stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic, the author would find it irresistible.

The Discussion

MichaelC

Jan 16, 2018

Ken, thanks for this outstanding photo report and insight!

You have done a marvelous job! I did not know about the gold and titanium Diver being Japan only. Thanks for pointing this out. The bracelets on the Millenary models, I like them! The RD#2... it seems perfect for you ;-) Did you get to see the titanium and platinum 15202?

KIH

Jan 16, 2018

That one - I waited, but run out of time - stuck in other room... :-(( [nt]

KIH

Jan 19, 2018

My pleasure, my friend.

I am really a big fan of this brand. Wonderful line up and see huge capacity and the pool of talents. My contact tried to bring Ti/ PT 15202 for photo shoot, but it had been taken into a deal negotiating room... ) Sorry. I wish I could see one!

BABKA

Jan 16, 2018

Such superb pics!

Thanks Ken for sharing! The Pt PC is what I want!!

KIH

Jan 19, 2018

Thanks! It looked great. [nt]

Alkiro1

Jan 16, 2018

Thank you very much Ken for this impressive report

I have been lucky enough to try the new AP RO RD#2 too and it’s truly impressive. First, its weight. Immediately when you take it in your hands you really feel it’s in full platinum (around 230g). Then, I was worried about its size (41mm). Well, I put it on my wrist and that’s ok. It works. Due to its thinness, it fitted my wrist perfectly. What a great watch! Even if we don’t know when we’ll be able to buy it (less than 2 years which is quite long), this watch is already one of the true stars o