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Audemars Piguet presents a new collection with the brand 1017 ALYX 9SMby the American designer Matthew Williamscurrently in charge of Givenchy. The latest in fine watchmaking and urban fashion. Paradoxically, the Royal Oak undresses. One more surprise of the infinite possibilities of the great watchmaking banner of Le Brassus when he ventures into other creative universes. Matthew Williams it prints an unprecedented minimalist stamp on the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore. Avant-garde vision where passion for innovation and artisanal values are shared.
“This is the first time we have conceived the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore simultaneously, and it has come naturally thanks to Matthew’s clean and contemporary design!”, explains François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet. “In this lies precisely the beauty of this collaboration: the synergies that have arisen have taken us mutually to new heights.” There are three new models and four versions —Royal Oak Automatic, Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph and two editions of the Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph in yellow gold and white gold. More sobriety, purity of lines and minimalist aesthetics in the two most iconic watches from Le Brassus. “A collaboration like this allows me to explore and expand my knowledge into another sphere of excellence.” says Matthew Williams, designer and founder of 1017 ALYX 9SM.
Royal Oak minimalist
The chosen material is yellow gold (18 carats). The piece has been stripped aesthetically. Both the indices and the characteristic “Tapisserie” guilloché on the dial and date window have been removed. It maintains its classic octagonal shape and its more refined and simple aesthetic shines brightly thanks to the satin finish of the gold dial. Only the signatures of “Audemars Piguet” and “1017 ALYX 9SM” can be seen on the dial. In a complete monochrome set, the hands are also yellow gold, with central luminescent coating.
The new Royal Oak Automatic It comes in a 37 mm diameter, with a water resistance of 50 meters. ride the calibre 5909 self-winding with 60-hour power reserve. For its part, the chronograph version, in a 41 mm case and with the same water-resistance, beats with the automatic caliber 4409 with a 70-hour power reserve. A flyback chronograph that also clears the chronograph counters and allows the hands to rotate only at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. An extreme exercise in aesthetic purity.
Urban “Beast”
If anyone knows the hallmarks of Royal Oak Offshore, which is now celebrating its 30th anniversary, they will realize that it is also Matthew Williams has completely stripped “The Beast”. These new Offshore maintain absolute minimalism in their details. Again, the “Tapisserie” has been removed and no trace of the chronograph subdials, although here the date window at 3 o’clock is maintained, with the AP logo next to it. The signature “1017 ALYX 9SM” appears again at 6 o’clock.
This new Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph It is launched in white gold and yellow gold. With a case diameter of 42 mm, they are equipped with the calibre 4404 with automatic winding, an integrated chrono with a flyback function and a 70-hour power reserve. This more urban “Beast” is waterproof up to 100 meters.
All the pieces in the collection come on a metal bracelet, but the Offshore models arrive on an interchangeable bracelet and include an additional black rubber strap for visible contrast. Both lBoth the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore exhibit the exposed bottom mechanism. Its sapphire crystal reveals the oscillating weight created especially for these limited editions. In 22-carat yellow or white gold, it presents the engraving of the signature “1017 ALYX 9SM”. Three state-of-the-art calibres from the firm with a distinctive oscillating weight and exquisite ornamental details such as “Côtes de Genève”, circular graining, “sunbeams”, satin-finished and polished bevels.
Unique piece for auction
Along with these four models, the designer and manufacturer have created a Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph Single. A 41 mm model with a two-tone 18-carat yellow gold and steel case and bracelet. A combination of materials that contrasts with the gold dial with a black PVD coating decorated with a vertical satin finish. The dial also displays the signatures of both brands and the chronograph hands are made of yellow gold. It mounts the caliber 4409.
The piece is a special edition that will be auctioned during the launch party of the collaboration between Audemars Piguet and 1017 ALYX 9SM on the same August 24 in Tokyo. The proceeds obtained will be donated to projects in support of learning initiatives through play for disadvantaged children, especially thanks to the intervention of the ONG Kids in Motion y Right to Play. Kids in Motion supports a specific project in Lamu (Kenya), which allows the local population to consolidate their infrastructure and strengthen their community’s activities at school. The choice of play-based learning projects has been carried out following the recommendations of the Audemars Piguet Foundation and Matthew Williams himself, who has been working for disadvantaged children for years.
