This is an aggressive and innovative technical performance of the classic watch: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak double balance wheel hollow case. 15407ST. Despite its familiar outline, the exposed skeleton of the watch effortlessly attracts the attention of connoisseurs and passersby. However, although this radical and even controversial design may cause a sensation, the magic of this timepiece lies in the content revealed by its hollow dial and the novel design concept itself.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked ref released in 2016. 15407ST is a 41mm lens designed by the famous Royal Oak. In case it is not visible from the watch, the term “skeleton” refers to the fact that the movement 3132 is visible under the hands of the watch. This watch looks very modern, but for AP, this open design is not new. In the past 20 years, Royal Oak hollow watches such as the reference 15305 in 2010, the platinum and rose gold versions of the “Jumbo” Royal Oak appeared in the following years.
However, the new feature of this watch is the double balance escapement. When I say new, I don’t just mean new to Audemars Piguet. I mean, never made a new one. It needs to be clarified that watches with multiple balance wheels were apparently released before 2016-Greubel Forsey, Philippe Dufour, FP Journe, to name a few, but when When you observe how APs are executed, their execution methods are quite different. detail.
So, what is so special about the design of this double balance escapement system? In short, it helps solve the ancient clock problem in a very clever way, thereby achieving more accurate timekeeping. Ultimately, the key to an accurate oscillator is stability. The small work of the watch movement is difficult to obtain absolute stability, especially when shaking on the wrist all day. The presence of two balance wheels increases the mass of the equation and helps counteract the negative effects of gravity. In most implementations, the increase in accuracy becomes a burden on the power reserve, because additional gear train and differential components are required to extract the pulses from the two independent balance wheels. Since the two balances are running on the same axis and the balances are staffed, AP can maintain overall efficiency. fake replica watches
This idea is based on a previous innovation: double hairspring. Audemars Piguet produces some watches with double balance springs, such as the four repeaters of the millennium and the dial indicator with AP escapement. The idea is to use two springs instead of one to offset the influence of internal friction, which will affect the accuracy of the watch to varying degrees depending on the fixed angle of the watch. The concept of not only having two hairsprings, but also having two independent balance wheels brings the whole idea to a new height. Each of these superimposed balance wheels has its own hairspring. The resulting self-regulating function helps reduce rate errors and create extremely accurate timepieces.
In addition to this cutting-edge function, the 3132 movement also left a deep impression on many other aspects. The 38 jewel movement has a power reserve of 45 hours and beats at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vph). The slim form factor is only 5.57 mm, allowing the watch to slip easily into the cuff of the shirt. Do you begin to understand why AP wants to show off this sport?
Of course, technological innovation is an important part of the story of this watch, but not all. Although the appearance of AP Royal Oak is legendary and I have not even heard of the idea of hollowed out Royal Oak, the design of this timepiece has a lot of modernity. Its case is 41 mm in diameter and 9.9 mm thick, so it can be worn comfortably on the wrist. The waterproof depth is up to 50m. The integrated stainless steel bracelet and its AP folding clasp, the anti-glare sapphire case and the exhibition back cover: these are what the modern Royal Oak series can bring to us.
From a design point of view, the magic of this piece can also be discovered by observing the movement. Most of the works of the movement are sexy slate gray. For a watch that looked like it was taken from the future even in the 1970s, Royal Oak still managed to stay ahead. Rose gold hour markers and classic Royal Oak hands provide a subtle balance for this radical shape.
From the dark clouds of bronze gears and springs, the gleaming gold balance bridge. This color echoes on the back of the watch. Staring at the back cover of the showcase, you can see the excellent view of the golden wheel with the logo.
From a craftsmanship point of view, the most impressive thing about this movement is that every bit of it is done by hand. Although the movement does not have the over-finishing of most high-end timepieces, there is no doubt that attention was paid to the creation of this very cool-looking watch.
Yes, even decades after AP Royal Oak debuted on the world stage, no matter where it goes, it still brings a certain degree of controversy. This is not to say that it can be denied that it has won its place in the great pantheon of watches, obviously it has done it. Nevertheless, even in 2021, the appearance of this watch is still a bit shabby, so that some collectors can not completely bypass its head. If you are one of them, this hollowed out in the Royal Oak luxury will definitely irritate your feathers. It doesn’t matter-collecting watches is fun, because all of us have strong opinions, and this watch has always been a lightning rod in this regard. However, if you are attracted to the Royal Oak, it is because from the appearance that the inherent icon is broken and expanded further, this watch is likely to belong to your wrist. Moreover, even if you are an ancient canned food traditionalist, there is no denying the referee’s superb craftsmanship and ingenuity. 15407.