By Kien Lee
For the Royal Oak's 50th anniversary this year, Audemars Piguet has launched a new limited edition 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramic. This timepiece represents a collaboration between the brand and Carolina Bucci, the Italian jewellery designer who is now onto her third partnership with the Swiss manufacture.
This limited edition is designed for both men and women and is available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques and AP Houses.
Carolina Bucci enriched an all-black ceramic piece with a unique multi-coloured mirror effect.dial. At first glance, the dial appears black, but on closer inspection it reveals a multi-coloured spectrum that brings the Tapisserie effect to life in the ever-changing light.
To achieve this, a sapphire plate adorned with little squares achieved through micro-structuring is added on top of the brass dial plate to create rich rainbow-coloured plays of light. A golden metallisation, specially developed for the occasion, is also applied onto the back of the sapphire plate to create a mirror effect and shines light onto the dial.
The pattern of iridescent colours varies from dial to dial, making each design unique.
The black ceramic case and bracelet are highlighted by hexagonal pink gold screws that secure the bezel and create an elegant contrast of colours. All the components of the case and bracelet are finished with the Manufacture’s signature satin-finishing that is paired with polished chamfers for a maximum play on light.
The bracelet has been slightly revised to provide a better visual effect. The pins connecting the links to the studs are no longer visible from the side, but are directly integrated into the studs.
The titanium and sapphire caseback is engraved with the inscription “Limited Edition Carolina Bucci” and reveals the Calibre 5800 beneath, which indicates the hours, minutes, seconds and date. In keeping with the finish on the screws, hour-markers and hands, the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight features elegant microbead-blasted, polished and satin finishes.
On the dial, the AP monogram has vanished to leave pride of place to the long-form signature which has been engraved on top of the sapphire plate and filled with white lacquer due to the singularity of the dial imagined by Carolina Bucci.
