• Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding

This watch is no longer in the brand's current collection.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding

Limited edition of 300 pieces

Case Size:
37mm
-
Case Material:
Yellow Gold
-
Movement:
Automatic Winding
$60,200

After the hugely successful collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Carolina Bucci last year, the Swiss watchmaker and the Italian jeweler are back with a unique limited edition with a mirrored dial.

The story behind frosted gold

The story of how Audemars Piguet and Carolina Bucci decided to work together is an intriguing one. As Bucci is a jeweler, her husband would always offer her art (he works in the art world) or watches as gifts. One day as her birthday was approaching, she noticed a woman in a New York department store wearing a beautiful yellow gold timepiece that she instantly fell in love with. Not sure what model it was, she followed the woman through the store so she could get a better look. The watch was a yellow gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. It took her husband a while to track the watch down as it was no longer in production, but he accomplished his mission and the watch quickly became Bucci’s favorite.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci Limited Edition

The collaboration

Audemars Piguet’s CEO, François-Henry Bennahmias read about Carolina Bucci and her watch in the Financial Times How to Spend It magazine and the two met. After a few meetings, Bennahmias asked her why she wore a vintage men’s watch when his company made plenty of female models, and she replied that the women’s models just didn’t do anything for her. Bennahmias then challenged her to make a women’s watch for the company, a challenge that she gladly accepted.

The technique

Using her signature technique, the Florentine Finish, Bucci proceeded to completely modify the case and the bracelet of the Royal Oak with an ancient jewelry technique that is achieved using a diamond-tipped tool that beats the gold, creating tiny indentations on the surface that reflect the light like diamonds.

The watch versions

During the Geneva watch fair in 2017, Audemars Piguet unveiled the first Frosted Gold timepieces in white gold and rose gold in sizes of 33mm and 37mm, with a 41mm version launched later in the year for men. But Bucci was keen to do a piece in yellow gold, her favorite metal, and this year sees the arrival of a yellow gold version with a brand-new mirrored dial.

The dials

The first versions were fitted with Audemars Piguet’s signature grande tapisserie dials, while this second version has a very feminine mirrored dial that contrasts perfectly with the Florentine Finish. Audemars Piguet wasn’t sure of the mirrored dial at first, but Bucci persisted, and we are so glad she did as this new version is just drop-dead gorgeous.

Reference:
15454BA.GG.1259BA.02
Date Added:
May 21, 2019
Case Material:
Yellow Gold
Case Size:
37mm
Case Back:
Open
Dial Color:
Silver
Strap Material:
Yellow Gold
Buckle Type:
Folding Clasp
Movement:
Automatic
Caliber:
3120
Power Reserve:
60 hours
Water Resistance:
50m/5 bar
Functions:
Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds, Date

Extra Features:

Available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques.

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