Celebrating its 150th anniversary, Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacture Audemars Piguet is introducing a new colored ceramic inspired by the legendary "Cloud 50" night blue color developed for the dial of the original Royal Oak (model 5402) in 1972.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph/Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
The glittering night skies of the Vallée de Joux, located in Switzerland's Lake Geneva region, have inspired generations of watchmakers. Reflecting its brilliance, deep blue ceramic adorns three new models in the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections.
After several years of research and development, this material has mastered the challenge of achieving a uniform hue across all watch components. These three timepieces embody the Manufacture's constant quest for innovation in design and materials, and pay homage to Le Brassus, the birthplace of Audemars Piguet 150 years ago.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph / Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
The measurement of time has its roots in astronomical observation, which has always guided watchmakers in their quest for precision. Not only the movement of the celestial bodies, but also the clear colors of the night sky above the Vallée de Joux have fueled the imagination and creativity of Audemars Piguet's artisans. Gérald Genta was inspired by this deep blue and recreated it on the dial of the first Royal Oak model (Model 5402), launched in 1972. At the time, Geneva dial manufacturer Stern developed the "Night Blue, Cloud 50" color by adding black n°50 to a protective varnish (called zapon). The word "cloud" is said to come from the cloud-like pattern that forms when colored droplets are added to the varnish.
Reproducing this blue color requires a complex process. Since galvanic processes change color over time and temperature, PVD (vapor deposition) is now used to achieve a more uniform color. Due to the complex manufacturing process and the popularity of the original Royal Oak, the "Night Blue, Cloud 50" color has become as iconic as the brand itself.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked / Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
Lightweight and scratch-resistant, ceramic is difficult to work with due to its extreme hardness, but it has been featured in the brand's collections since 1985. The addition of "Night Blue" and "Cloud 50" to the existing black, electric blue, green, and brown colors further reinforces the Manufacture's tradition of continuous innovation in materials and design.
The "Night Blue" and "Cloud 50" ceramic colors required several years of development, as they required uniformity and reproducibility throughout the entire watch. Each component of the watch undergoes several manufacturing processes, including machining, sintering and finishing. This final step is carried out by hand by Audemars Piguet's artisans, who, despite their hardness and fragility, treat the ceramic components to the same high level of finishing as precious metals. Alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces enhance the depth of their colours and highlight the multifaceted structure of the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore cases. Combining high-tech machining and traditional hand-finishing, this unique material represents the pinnacle of modern watchmaking techniques.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked / Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
The 41mm Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked is crafted entirely from night blue, Cloud 50 ceramic. This monochrome design highlights the rhodium-tone openworked movement nestled beneath the sapphire crystal dial, while details such as the pink gold hands and hour markers create a striking visual contrast.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph / Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
The 42mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph adopts a sportier monochrome design. Ceramic components harmonize with the Night Blue Cloud 50 inner bezel, Mega Tapisserie dial, and chronograph counters. The unified design is subtly contrasted by the eight hexagonal stainless steel screws on the bezel and the titanium crown and caseback. This model is the first in the collection to feature a new ceramic bracelet, with the pins connecting the studs and links seamlessly integrated for an elegant finish.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph/Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
The 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph features a two-tone design combining stainless steel with a "night blue, Cloud 50" ceramic bezel, pushers, and crown, a strong color contrast that continues onto the dial. The "night blue Cloud 50" mega tapisserie dial accentuates the watch's powerful silhouette and highlights the 18K gold hands and hour markers, which are coated with luminescent material. The watch is presented with an interchangeable textile calfskin leather strap that matches the color of the ceramic, or a blue rubber strap for a sporty look.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
Ceramic and titanium case, 41mm, price upon request
Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
With the launch of the “Night Blue Cloud 50” ceramic, Audemars Piguet is building a new bridge between past and future, paying tribute to the master artisans who have underpinned the brand’s history and to the Vallée de Joux, its home for over 150 years.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
Ceramic and titanium case, 42mm, price upon request
Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest luxury watch brand still run by the founding families (the Audemars and Piguet families). Based in Le Brassus since 1875, the brand has nurtured generations of talented artisans who continue to develop new skills, techniques, and hone their craftsmanship in order to set unconventional trends. Located in the Vallée de Joux, nestled in the Swiss Jura Mountains, Audemars Piguet crafts a selection of masterpieces that represent the pinnacle of design and technology, imbuing the Manufacture's heritage of craftsmanship and forward-thinking spirit. Pushing the boundaries of what's possible and building bridges between creative worlds, Audemars Piguet is constantly striving for new horizons, fostering a community inspired by its spirit. Seek Beyond (Beyond the watch. Beyond the imagination.)
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
Ceramic and stainless steel case, 43mm, ¥6,160,000 (tax included)
Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph/Courtesy of Audemars PiguetThe glittering night skies of the Vallée de Joux, located in Switzerland's Lake Geneva region, have inspired generations of watchmakers. Reflecting its brilliance, deep blue ceramic adorns three new models in the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections.
After several years of research and development, this material has mastered the challenge of achieving a uniform hue across all watch components. These three timepieces embody the Manufacture's constant quest for innovation in design and materials, and pay homage to Le Brassus, the birthplace of Audemars Piguet 150 years ago.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph / Courtesy of Audemars PiguetThe measurement of time has its roots in astronomical observation, which has always guided watchmakers in their quest for precision. Not only the movement of the celestial bodies, but also the clear colors of the night sky above the Vallée de Joux have fueled the imagination and creativity of Audemars Piguet's artisans. Gérald Genta was inspired by this deep blue and recreated it on the dial of the first Royal Oak model (Model 5402), launched in 1972. At the time, Geneva dial manufacturer Stern developed the "Night Blue, Cloud 50" color by adding black n°50 to a protective varnish (called zapon). The word "cloud" is said to come from the cloud-like pattern that forms when colored droplets are added to the varnish.
Reproducing this blue color requires a complex process. Since galvanic processes change color over time and temperature, PVD (vapor deposition) is now used to achieve a more uniform color. Due to the complex manufacturing process and the popularity of the original Royal Oak, the "Night Blue, Cloud 50" color has become as iconic as the brand itself.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked / Courtesy of Audemars PiguetLightweight and scratch-resistant, ceramic is difficult to work with due to its extreme hardness, but it has been featured in the brand's collections since 1985. The addition of "Night Blue" and "Cloud 50" to the existing black, electric blue, green, and brown colors further reinforces the Manufacture's tradition of continuous innovation in materials and design.
The "Night Blue" and "Cloud 50" ceramic colors required several years of development, as they required uniformity and reproducibility throughout the entire watch. Each component of the watch undergoes several manufacturing processes, including machining, sintering and finishing. This final step is carried out by hand by Audemars Piguet's artisans, who, despite their hardness and fragility, treat the ceramic components to the same high level of finishing as precious metals. Alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces enhance the depth of their colours and highlight the multifaceted structure of the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore cases. Combining high-tech machining and traditional hand-finishing, this unique material represents the pinnacle of modern watchmaking techniques.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked / Courtesy of Audemars PiguetThe 41mm Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked is crafted entirely from night blue, Cloud 50 ceramic. This monochrome design highlights the rhodium-tone openworked movement nestled beneath the sapphire crystal dial, while details such as the pink gold hands and hour markers create a striking visual contrast.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph / Courtesy of Audemars PiguetThe 42mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph adopts a sportier monochrome design. Ceramic components harmonize with the Night Blue Cloud 50 inner bezel, Mega Tapisserie dial, and chronograph counters. The unified design is subtly contrasted by the eight hexagonal stainless steel screws on the bezel and the titanium crown and caseback. This model is the first in the collection to feature a new ceramic bracelet, with the pins connecting the studs and links seamlessly integrated for an elegant finish.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph/Courtesy of Audemars PiguetThe 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph features a two-tone design combining stainless steel with a "night blue, Cloud 50" ceramic bezel, pushers, and crown, a strong color contrast that continues onto the dial. The "night blue Cloud 50" mega tapisserie dial accentuates the watch's powerful silhouette and highlights the 18K gold hands and hour markers, which are coated with luminescent material. The watch is presented with an interchangeable textile calfskin leather strap that matches the color of the ceramic, or a blue rubber strap for a sporty look.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel OpenworkedCeramic and titanium case, 41mm, price upon request
Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
With the launch of the “Night Blue Cloud 50” ceramic, Audemars Piguet is building a new bridge between past and future, paying tribute to the master artisans who have underpinned the brand’s history and to the Vallée de Joux, its home for over 150 years.
Royal Oak Offshore ChronographCeramic and titanium case, 42mm, price upon request
Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest luxury watch brand still run by the founding families (the Audemars and Piguet families). Based in Le Brassus since 1875, the brand has nurtured generations of talented artisans who continue to develop new skills, techniques, and hone their craftsmanship in order to set unconventional trends. Located in the Vallée de Joux, nestled in the Swiss Jura Mountains, Audemars Piguet crafts a selection of masterpieces that represent the pinnacle of design and technology, imbuing the Manufacture's heritage of craftsmanship and forward-thinking spirit. Pushing the boundaries of what's possible and building bridges between creative worlds, Audemars Piguet is constantly striving for new horizons, fostering a community inspired by its spirit. Seek Beyond (Beyond the watch. Beyond the imagination.)
Royal Oak Offshore ChronographCeramic and stainless steel case, 43mm, ¥6,160,000 (tax included)
Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
