Audemars Piguet

Dear fellow AP fans,

To celebrate the official launch of this long awaited forum dedicated to all things Audemars Piguet, how about a fun contest?

We all know how much PuristS love to scrutinize even the smallest details. So, pull out those virtual loupes!

Following is a special sneak peak of what promises to be a wildly successful new model to be launched at SIHH 2010 (starting Jan. 18 in Geneva)

Contest ends when all questions have been answered correctly, even if the individual correct answers appear in different posts by different people.

If any participant answers all questions correctly in the same post, without editing, that forum member will win a special mystery prize!

Contest is open to all except those with privileged access or prior knowledge of the details of the model. 

Please post your entries as a reply in this thread. Feel free to guess, it won't hurt!  But if you think you know all the correct answers (even if some of the answers came to you AFTER you read an answer from someone else, please make a new post with ALL your best guesses into a new post. Remember, only posts with ALL THE CORRECT ANSWERS IN ONE SINGLE POST will be eligible for the grand prize.)

1. name three unique or unusual design elements shown in the picture

2. name at least one of their design inspirations (field or activity or specific part or non-watch application or design)

3. guess the name of the new model

4. guess the case and bezel material of one of the models in the range

bonus points: name the case and bezel materials of all variations of the model range

5. name one of the two abstract design concepts that are used with great effect in the design of the watch (one is very evident from the sneak peak picture, the other is not so obvious in this crop)

bonus points: give examples of this design concept/technique from other applications

Have fun!

(and believe me, if anyone gets all questions correct AND earns the bonus points, the prize will definitely be worth the effort!!!)

Happy New Year, everyone!

TM

This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2009-12-31 00:38:54 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2009-12-31 09:13:47 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2010-01-09 19:06:56 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2010-01-12 17:33:55 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2010-01-15 08:42:23 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2010-01-15 08:43:11

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unless...

TM

OK. [girds loins]

1. Unique or unusual design features:

- placement of constant seconds sub-register at 12 o'clock
- unique design of minutes/hours hands
- slanted backs of honeycomb partitions on dial
- unusual hour indices on main register
- 15-second partition on constant seconds sub-register
- the colours are unusual, but not unique, so I mention them last.

2. Design inspirations:

This is a tough one. I suspect it's in the hands, or the indices; but I can't really pick a source. If it's the colours, then I would say the Australian Aboriginal "national" flag; but somehow I suspect not.

3. Name:

- ROO Rubens Barichello III?

4. Case and bezel: brushed titanium. No idea why.
Other materials: erm...palladium...SS...rose gold...

5. Abstract design elements:

- use of primary colours
- erm...(TM's hint basically implies that I have to guess at something I can't see)...Golden Ratio?

and, for the bonus points: Piet Mondrian's paintings!

Cheers
Tony P

(whew...I know I'm not even close...)

... I give my answers, fingers crossed
1 hands, special degrading tapisserie, minute track;
2 Ferrari F1;
3 Alonso;
4 titanium/ceramic; platinum/ceramic; RG/ceramic;
5 two pieces dial, special tachyimetric bezel.

Do I win something? ;-)

Happy new year to everyone!!!

Lorenzo

so far, not yet...

Ok, this contest got my creative juices flowing. Here's what I predict this special edition will be all about.

1. name three unique or unusual design elements shown in the picture

* The usual patisserie dial of the Royal Oak Offshore timepieces, while having depth, are comparatively flat to the deeply angled and slanted grooves seen here in the red detail.

* Even though this is a Royal Oak Offshore, there are no hour markers but only hour indicators.

* The final unusual design element is the inclusion of the colors of the South African flag. This is consistent with AP's use of other regional colors in special editions.

2. name at least one of their design inspirations (field or activity or specific part or non-watch application or design) I believe this watch is created to commemorate the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The abstract black sub dial is a minute counter. The reset button begins at (what is normally) the 15 minute mark, counting to the 60 minute mark for a 45 minute half of a soccer game. The remaining area is designated to calculate stoppage time in a soccer game.

3. guess the name of the new model The name of the model and the series is FIFA WORLD CUP 2010

4. guess the case and bezel material of one of the models in the range bonus points: name the case and bezel materials of all variations of the model range

All models from the range will use various color combinations of the South African Flag. The colors of the new democracy are Red, Blue, Green, White, Yellow, Black. The watch pictured is the Red and Yellow version. The Red and yellow version will have a rose gold case and a black ceramic bezel.

There will be a Green and Blue version. The Green and Blue version will have a stainless steel case and a black rubber bezel.

There will also be a Black and Blue version. The Black and Blue version will have a carbon fiber case and bezel.

There will be a Black and Yellow version. The Black and Yellow version will have a brushed titanium case and a tantalum bezel.

All special editions will also enjoy the following design elements:

* Custom engraving on the case back with the FIFA World Cup 2010 logo

* The rectangular pushers popularized in the Barichello II series.

* The hour and minute hands from the Survivor series

* There will be four different designs. One for each of the four world cup soccer groups. Each version will be limited to a series of 32 watches. (there's a total of 32 teams). Or a total of 2010 (with roughly 500 each of the four version) * Each watch will feature a foudroyante (seen in the picture in the yellow subdial and the red and white center mounted second counters)

* Each watch will come with a corresponding rubber and additional leather strap. There will be four strap colors. Black. Blue. Yellow. Red.

 

5. name one of the two abstract design concepts that are used with great effect in the design of the watch (one is very evident from the sneak peak picture, the other is not so obvious in this crop) The sub dial at twelve o clock features geometric abstraction-ism which playfully engages African tribalist designs. The abstract color scheme engages the colors of the new democracy and signifies the pluralism of South Africa and the universality of the sport of soccer. As an object d'art this particular timepiece will be accompanied with an original lithograph from an award winning South African artist.

 

Cheers,

 

Tim 

Very intriguing guesses...

TM

Hi TM,
A great way to ring in the new year and kick off the AP forum!

I've been really looking forward to the teaser shots.  Not exactly sure what model this sneak peek is, but here's my guess:
1.  Three Unique or unusual design elements: First are the he hands, IMO they have a distinct lightening and angles that match the RO design  (maybe EDM'd and then finished by hand?  Might even be two piece or stepped in the middle).  Second is the tapiserrie dial with an unusual slanted surface.  The third is unusual 15 minute chrono subdial at 12 o clock position.
2.  Design inspiration: I would guess racing, Formula 1 due to sportiness and colors of the dial.
3.  Name: AP ROO Jarno Trulli LE?
4.  Case and bezel material: forged carbon with some special element/particles mixed in,  titanium alloy, and ceramic
5.  One of the two design abstract design concepts: subdials like a race car tachometer.  Not sure if it's from the angle of the picture, but it seems that there's a design element of slanted angles.  Not only is the tapisserie dial slanted, but the 12 o clock subdial is also slanted within the ring (but opposite angle of the dial).

So what other goodies does AP have planned for us?  How about a star wheel :P
Happy New Year!
ED-209

Starwheel?

Holding my breath too!

Given your hint on ThePuristS AP site, I guess it's not an ROO for Trulli.  How about for Sebastien Buemi?  He's Swiss and (I think) was the first ambassador signed up by Phillipe Merk.

Am I closer? :P

Regards,
ED-209

thank you thomas for inputting the time and effort to create this new contest.

personally i ve no clue, but here are my best guesses...

1. first: the hands, i think the end part is luminescent. second: the subdial at 12 with the 15 marking. i am guessing (because the yellow subdial at 9 allready looks like the minute chrono) it is a seconds subdial, then again, why have a 15 seconds mark. third: the tapiserrie dial is unusually slanted (i like this though, it will probably give the dial different looks at different angles).

2. must be formula 1 racing. the hour markings resemble the rb2.

3. special edition for ap ambassador sebatien buemi, therefor the official name should be royal oak offshore sebatien buemi chronograph

4. carbon fibre case with carbon fibre bezel ? please dont let this be true, i am not a fan of the carbon. the others: rose gold case with carbon fibre bezel. platinum case with carbon fibre bezel.

5. that thing between 1 and 2 hours looks like an air extractor used on f1 cars. the other, i dont know.


How will we know if we are on the right track ?

best, sys

Hi, Sys,

Thanks for trying!  My thought is the very act of going through this exercise is fun and worthwhile! Right or wrong is not that important, afterall, the world will know on Jan. 18.

Who knows? some of these ideas, even if not right for this piece, may end up being right for a future piece...

Of course, if someone gets all the answers right, IN THE SAME POST WITHOUT EDITS, we'll all know early!

Cheers,

TM

Great contest, Thomas!

Here are my initial guesses:

1. Unusual design elements...the hour and minute hands, the beveling of the waffle dial and outer ring (by the minute hand), the subdial for seconds at the twelve o'clock position is unique and appears to contain something to measure the first 15 seconds, the hour markers appear to be different as well (but this could be due to magnification)

2. Design inspiration...F1 auto racing

3. Truelli Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph

4, Titanium case and bezel

Bonus points...titanium case with tantalum bezel, rose gold case with tantalum bezel, platinum case with tantalum bezel

5. Auto gauge likeness of seconds display; beveling may be of auto significance as well

Bonus points.....I'll have to give this more thought.

Even from the brief sneak peek, it looks like it will be a colorful sports watch, Is the third subdial yet another color? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Dave

I can't comment more...

Quite a wonderful contest. Haven't got a chance, but here goes...

1. unique design elements: usually in the Offshore, the waffle-iron dial has the squares raised and the borders pressed down. Here, the borders of the squares are raised, as though a grill is raised on the surfaced; There are no numerals, only indices for hourmarks; the hands are special - I'm sorry but I see the AP monogram in them. an A in the middle and a "P" in each side (one inverted). Very nice and striking.

2. The watch speaks with a very automobile-like language, albeit on a combination of the classic and the modern. The counter at the 12-o'clock position really looks like a speedometer.

3. Haven't got a clue. Between all the possibilities, went with a young ambassador who didn't get a watch yet: Sébastien Buemi. Thus, say hello to the Royal Oak Sébastien Buemi Limited Edition 2010.

4. The case and bezel: ceramic. There may also be a combination of red gold and ceramic, stainless steel and ceramic, and possibly palladium and ceramic (yes, palladium - I'm going for a wild combination)

5. How abstract can we go? The red background is reminiscent of the Swiss flag, the driver's country of nationality. Also, the combination of red dial and yellow sub-dial resemble the logo of the Scuderia Toro Rosso, of which he is a part. The combination and integration of colors and logos into items such as pens and oters is widely seen.

I'm probably way off, but I thank you for the opportunity to spend some time (literally) with AP.

Thanks!

All very mysterious... AP magic all around...

1. The 3 unique or unusual design elements:

- unusual hour indices on main register
- unusual indicator for seconds sub-register (no numbers, radial pattern, 15 sec arch)
- unusual use of the colours

2. Design inspirations:

-F1 racing, as per minutes sub-register indicator

3. Name:

this is hard. Let me have a guess and a broader pick:
- ROO L.E. Scuderia Ferrari
- ROO L.E. Grand Prix (F1 is a trademark...)

4. Case and bezel:
The Bonus Points is an hint to my answer...
- Case Platinum, Bezel Ceramic
- Case Rose Gold, Bezel Ceramic
- Case Forged Carbon, Bezel Ceramic
NB even if I preferTitanium it seems AP likes more the Forged Carbon... WHY?

5. Abstract design concepts:

- "fast" design (instead of readable numbers) second sub-register
Bonus: it could be (or would be) use of colours as reminiscence of Art...

PS hopefully I'm wrong: it seems too colourful!

APF1

Hello,

Thanks Thomas for the very challenging contest.

Regarding my answers and thoughts for each question:

#1. 1st detail .... include box texture on the dial that has a slanted directional bottom on each square. 2nd detail include first time angular cut detail used in the minute hand and second hand.
3rd detail includes the sub-dials fonts are differently marked regarding the second and minute marks. In addition the first 15 minuted are white margin outlined in the top sub-dial.

#2. Auto Racing would be the first thought. However with the 15 minute register located on the top and with the sub-dial having different colors it "could" possibly be for regatta sailing use..........
I will go with my first impression thought because it has auto racing colors. The large red seconds hand being "red" seems to point towards auto racing use.

#3. The AP Road Rally Edition!!!!

#4. Gold/ ceramic bezel, Platinum/ ceramic bezel, Stainless steel/ ceramic bezel,

#5. Arrow cutouts in hands, reflecting auto racing

Thanks,
Jonathan

Thanks for participating!

Hey, hope your year has gotten off to a bang up start!

TM

1. Unique or unusual design features:

a. unique design of minutes/ hour hands-luminosity also appears different
b. slanted surfaces of tapiserrie dial -the dial is in fact of more 3D than the past
c. Arc on the 1-15 of the seconds sub-dial at 12
d. the additional "arc " on the inner lining between 1hr and 2 hr - I guess there should be 4 such arc things in total to re-seamble the wheel of a racing car

2.Design inspiration - clearly racing car

3. Name of model:-
 ROO Sebatien Buemi; ROO Toro Rosso; ROO Red Bull; ROO Michael Schumacher

4. Case: Forged Carbon ; Bezel: Ceramic
    Case: Rose Gold; Bezel: Ceramic
   Case: Platinum; Bezel: ceramic

5- 2 design concepts

a. use of red, and yellow based on color of team Toro Rosso  or based on national flag of  Michael Schumacher which  is Black, Red and Yellow
b. the other design inspiration was wheel of racing car and yes the second sub-dial also looks like a speedometer

examples of similar design was Ti RB II whereas the colour of the sub-dial hands inspired by the Brazilian national flags; the Singapore F1 where the red and white follows the national flag of Singapore and many others boutique LEs
    

1. three unique or unusual design element

a. the red dial – normally the squares are raised, and this dial has the squares depressed, plus they are slanted.
b. hour indices – they are only partially filled (normal indices are usually filled with luminescence substance, precious metals, etc)
c.  the sub-dial at 12 – there is a connector between the 0 and 15-second indices

2. name at least one of their design inspirations (field or activity or specific part or non-watch application or design)

I don’t have the slightest clue…. I take reference from RB, whose sub-dial at 12 and the hands share some similarities….. Hence, my wild guess is F1

 

3. guess the name of the new model

As my guess on #2 is F1, and because of the colour combination of the 2 sub-dials, which seem to match the colours on Sebastien Buemi’s helmet….. AP ROO Sebastien Buemi

 

4. guess the case and bezel material of one of the models in the range

Forged carbon with ceramic bezel

Rose gold with ceramic bezel

Platinum with ceramic bezel

 

5. name one of the two abstract design concepts that are used with great effect in the design of the watch (one is very evident from the sneak peak picture, the other is not so obvious in this crop)

The design of the hands is derived from the front wings of Toro Rosso F1 car. An example of this is perhaps the similar hand design in RB.

Another concept is the colour combination, derived from that of Sebastien Buemi’s helmet.

Thanks for the contest, it is not easy but definitely fun…. Tried my best, guys, haha

 

Wishing all a wonderful 2010!!

 

Brilliant idea Thomas

I have no chance, but for the spirit, will I give it a go anyway

 

1. name three unique or unusual design elements shown in the picture

- placement of constant seconds sub-register at 12 o'clock (but also seen on other limited editions)

- 15-second partition on constant seconds sub-register

- hour indices on main register

- "hollow" minute and hour hands (as seen also on ROO Limited Edition Rubens Barrichello)

 

 2. name at least one of their design inspirations (field or activity or specific part or non-watch application or design)

-Formula 1 at sea, extreme yachting/sailing.

-Formula 1, aka Ferrari

 

3. guess the name of the new model

L’Hydroptère (No. 1 maybe..?)

For stating the world record for the a boat on the planet over 1 nautical mile

Hydrofoil trimaran sets a new world speed record of 50.17 knots (92.91 km/h)*, a wonderful gift from Alain Thébault, Thierry Lombard and their team to their new sponsor, Audemars Piguet. Hyères, France, Thursday November 12th 2009.

 

4. guess the case and bezel material of one of the models in the range

Carbon and titanium as the "L’Hydroptère"

 

Xtra: bonus points: name the case and bezel materials of all variations of the model range

Carbon and titanium as the "L’Hydroptère" but also:

Case Platinum, rose gold, forged carbon, titanium

Bezel Ceramic

 

5. name one of the two abstract design concepts that are used with great effect in the design of the watch (one is very evident from the sneak peak picture, the other is not so obvious in this crop)

- The 15 sec partition at the second hand, aka looking like a regatta countdown

- The need for speed, aka L’Hydroptère

 

Those where my guesses, may the best one win

Best regards

Hans

 

1-the chono seconds design, sunburst design with the 1st quarter marked. The design of the hands. The sculpted squarre between 1h and 2h marker,  in the black part.
2- Clearly is inspired from the Barrichello ( the magnifiar of the date and the hands especially )
3- RB4
4- titane and carbon. As i am convinced its a new barrichello, There will be titane, Rose gold, and i suppose ceramic, as it has been used a lot ( bumblebee, vegas,etc... ) So titanium/carbon... Rg/carbon.... Ceramic/carbon
5- i didnt really get this one, but i get its the design of the chrono seconds dial, inspired from the "piano" style of the dial of one of the  millenary models.

One thing is for sure 100%, i can smell the Barrichello DNA in everything on that pics, the rest doesnt really matters )

Karim