quattro
[Moderator]
18063
Audemars Piguet: the complete RD# Saga
As the recently released RD#5 is supposed to be the last in Audemars Piguet's Research & Development series, I thought some of us might enjoy going through the pieces of this spectacular horological saga one by one.
So here's a pictorial overview of RD#1 to 5.
If you want to learn more, AP's dedicated page can be found here.
Best, Emmanuel
A/ RD#1: ROYAL OAK CONCEPT SUPERSONNERIE (2015)
1/ Ref. 26576TI.OO.D002CA.01
44 x 16.5 mm titanium case
Presented in 2015, Audemars Piguet’s patented Supersonnerie technology resulted from 8 years of development in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
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 patented 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.
Calibre 2937 (3 hz 21600 vph): Minute repeater on two gongs, tourbillon, chronograph with central sweep-seconds hand, 30-minute counter, hours, minutes
credit: Monochrome & Audemars Piguet
2/ Ref. 26577TI.OO.D002CA.01
This reference is the production version of the previous one.
Titanium case, glareproofed sapphire crystal, titanium bezel, black ceramic screw-locked crown, black ceramic and titanium pushpieces, titanium pushpiece guards, water-resistant to 20 m.
Black dial, openworked, satin-brushed, black counters, white gold hands with luminescent coating, black inner bezel.
Black rubber strap with titanium AP folding clasp.
credit: HauteTime
3/ Ref. 26577IO.OO.D002CA.01
This third iteration marries a titanium case with a black ceramic bezel and a cutting-edge openworked dial highlighted with pink gold tones.
Openworked dial, pink gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, pink gold-toned inner bezel.
Black rubber strap with titanium AP folding clasp.
credit: Audemars Piguet
B/ RD#2: ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING PERPETUAL CALENDAR ULTRA-THIN (2018)
Ref. 26586IP.OO.1240IP.01
Presented as a prototype at the SIHH in 2018
41 x 6.2 mm titanium case & polished 950 platinum bezel
Blue dial, satin-brushed, blue counters, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Satin-brushed titanium bracelet with polished 950 platinum links and titanium AP folding clasp.
Calibre 5133 (2.75 hz 19800 vph): Perpetual calendar with day, date, astronomical moon, month, leap year, night and day indication, hours and minutes.
credit: Monochrome
C/ RD#3: ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON EXTRA-THIN (2022)
1/ Ref. 26670ST.OO.1240ST.02
It is powered by calibre 2968 (3 hz 21600 vph), measuring just 3.4 mm thick.
2/ Ref. 26398BC.OO.D002CR.02
White gold case, beige dial
3/ Ref. 26398OR.OO.D002KB.01
Rose gold case, beige dial
credit: Audemars Piguet
4/ Ref. 26398BC.OO.D002CR.02
credit: Monochrome
5/ 26398OR.OO.D002CR.01
Rose gold case and open dial
credit: Audemars Piguet
39 x 8,1 mm titanium case paired with a bezel, caseback, push-pieces and crown chip in BMG (Bulk Metallic Glass), and glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback.
credit: Monochrome
Blue dial with “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, white gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp.
credit: Monochrome
2/ Ref. 26660ST.OO.1356ST.02
37 x 8,1 mm stainless steel case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback.
credit: Monochrome
2/ Ref. 26660ST.OO.1356ST.02
37 x 8,1 mm stainless steel case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback.
Plum dial with “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp.
Calibre 2968 (3 hz 21600 vph): Flying tourbillon, hours and minutes.
credit: @dr_audemars (1-2), @wristless_wonders (3), @horoguides (4), First Class Timepieces & @aytystyle (last photo)
D/ RD#4: CODE 11.59 UNIVERSELLE (2023)
credit: @dr_audemars (1-2), @wristless_wonders (3), @horoguides (4), First Class Timepieces & @aytystyle (last photo)
D/ RD#4: CODE 11.59 UNIVERSELLE (2023)
42 x 15.6 mm case
Grande Sonnerie Supersonnerie, Minute Repeater, Perpetual Calendar, Split-Seconds Flyback Chronograph and Flying Tourbillon come together in this ultra-complicated wristwatch.
Calibre 1000 & 1000SQ (for skeletonized variants): Grande Sonnerie Supersonnerie, minute repeater, tourbillon, flyback chronograph, split-seconds chronograph, astronomical moon, moon phases, large date, hours and minutes.
1/ Ref. 26398BC.OO.D002CR.01
White gold case, black dial
2/ Ref. 26398BC.OO.D002CR.02
White gold case, beige dial
3/ Ref. 26398OR.OO.D002KB.01
Rose gold case, beige dial
credit: Audemars Piguet
4/ Ref. 26398BC.OO.D002CR.02
White gold case and open dial
credit: Monochrome
5/ 26398OR.OO.D002CR.01
Rose gold case and open dial
credit: Audemars Piguet
E/ RD#5: ROYAL OAK “JUMBO” EXTRA-THIN SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH (2025)
39 x 8,1 mm titanium case paired with a bezel, caseback, push-pieces and crown chip in BMG (Bulk Metallic Glass), and glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback.
Blue "Petite Tapisserie” dial complemented by matching counters at 3 and 9 o'clock, 18-carat white gold luminescent bathtub hands and hour-markers, a silver grey-toned inner bezel.
“Audemars Piguet” signature inspired by historical documents at 12 o'clock.
The titanium integrated bracelet with BMG links is fitted with an AP folding clasp.
Calibre 8100 (3 hz 21600 vph): Flying tourbillon, flyback chronograph, hours and minutes.
credit: Monochrome
Audemars Piguet: the complete RD# Saga
As the recently released RD#5 is supposed to be the last in Audemars Piguet's Research & Development series , I thought some of us might enjoy going through the pieces of this spectacular horological saga one by one. So here's a pictorial overview of RD#1...
My favorite complication here is the Supersonnerie.
I’ve had the chance to listen to the titanium Ref. 26591TI.OO.1252TI.03 and it is wonderful. And I love the integration of this complication in the Code case. Also, I think AP has done an impressive job with the newly released RD#5. Best, Emmanuel ...
I like the watches in B,C and D,
The watches of A don't appeal to me as I just don't find the case shape appealing to me and in E I love the watch except for the IMHO mismatched new Audemars Piguet font that I just don't think suits the watch or any sports watch. My favourite out of all ...
The aesthetic of the Concept is too modern and bold for me too,
but my favorite complication here is the Supersonnerie. I’ve been able to hear Ref. 26591TI.OO.1252TI.03 and it’s truly wonderful. I also think AP has done an impressive job with RD#5 and I’m glad that they used this vintage inspired logo. Best, Emmanuel ...
Hmmmmmm.
I don't own any of these and I'm okay with that! I do like the idea of the Tourbillon - however I still prefer the Vacheron Constantin 6000T Tourbillon more - since the rotor doesn't obstruct the Tourbillon. If AP had a peripheral winding system for this ...
RD#5 has a tourbillon and a peripheral rotor.
But my favorite complication here is the Supersonnerie. I’ve heard Ref. 26591TI.OO.1252TI.03 and it’s truly wonderful. Best, Emmanuel ...
I like this one too.
It wasn't on your list or else it'd be an easy choice. I have seen the Grand Sonnerie that's on your list. And I've heard it as well. It sounded good. But it was WAY TOO BIG for my wrist. I also have an AP Grande et Petite Sonnerie from the 1990s that is ...
The Concept design is bold and big and, to be honest, it's not at all for me.
But, if I'm not wrong, the Supersonnerie was created with the RD#1 and used only later on other models (Royal Oak and Code 11.59). So, even if I don't relate to the design of the Concept, I admire the RD#1. And I love the Jules Audemars Grande et Petite S...
All are worthy of admiration!
Just most of these pieces look funny on my wrist (sometimes comically big). If only I had a bigger wrist!
The RO Concept watches....
were always my favorite from AP, despite some of them being so large as to rendered them unwearable on an average size wrist.... In my opinion , they are the most original and innovative pieces that they make....
Predictably, the concept design is too modern
and strong for me, but my favorite complication here is definitely the Supersonnerie. I’ve had the chance of hearing Ref. 26591TI.OO.1252TI.03 and it’s impressive. Best, Emmanuel ...
Great thread! I have the Concept Supersonnerie currently
It is a stunning piece of engineering. When AP is at the top of their game, no one can compete
Wow, lucky you!
The Supersonnerie is a fantastic complication. Aesthetically the Concept design is a little too modern and strong for me, but it’s just because my taste leans towards classic dress watches. Anyway, this RD#1 is quite something! Best, Emmanuel
Emmanuel, you should be our AP Moderator.
Another outstanding post! Thanks for so many wonderful contributions to the forum.
I’m so glad you enjoy the post, Michael!
Not all modern choices made by AP are to my taste but I still love the brand, its glorious history and impressive innovations. When it’s not about the hype they’re fantastic. Best, Emmanuel
Yes, great piece,
but my favorite complication here is the Supersonnerie. Best, Emmanuel
Another great post dear quattro 🙏🏻🤗
Still a big fan of the first AP Concept . All amazing watches 👌🏻
Thank you so much.
The Supersonnerie is a wonderful complication and the RD#1 is quite something indeed, even if the design isn’t for me (too modern and bold for my conservative taste). Best, Emmanuel
Thanks for compiling these 😊👍🏻
Nice to see the range of the collection. I personally still find that there is a bit more of a marketing play to the R&D effort but some of the pieces are undoubtedly nice, the thin PC being my favorite.
Except for RD#3 I think the innovation is “real” and quite impressive.
The Supersonnerie is my favorite complication here, even if the Concept design isn’t for me. Best, Emmanuel
I am probably a bit jaded here…
Knowing how little the innovation costs or is invested in in terms of manyears in the watch industry in comparison to other industries. In terms of the progress in the watch business over the last 50 years this is nice indeed - if you compare it to the pr...
I see your point. I certainly lack this broader perspective.
For me, the reassuring thing is that AP doesn't just care about the hype. This gives me some hope concerning what the brand may create in the coming years.