![]() 26221FT.OO.D002CA.01 we reviewed here and lastly this year, Audemars Piguet presented the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 'QE II Cup 2016' 44 mm ref. 15706AU debuted with a forged carbon case and a ceramic bezel and which we reviewed here in 2015 AP released the impressive Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher ref. 26290IO with a forged carbon case and forged carbon bezel and which we reviewed here the Royal Oak Offshore Ginza 7 Limited Edition with a forged carbon case and ceramic bezel was released in 2011 and which we reviewed here then in 2012, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 26202AU with forged carbon case and cermet bezel released in 2010 and which we reviewed here also in 2010, AP released the Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Limited Edition ref. 26176FO with a forged carbon case and ceramic bezel released in 2009 the Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli ref. 26190 with forged carbon case and stainless steel bezel the Royal Oak Offshore Bumble Bee ref. 26265 in 2008 also in 2008, the Royal Oak Offshore Singapore Grand Prix ref. Starting in 2008, Audemars Piguet released the following references using forged carbon for their cases: Royal Oak Concept Carbon Tourbillon Chronograph ref. The idea of using this material in watches, originated in a meeting between AP and Vincent Duqueine, head of said French company. ![]() While Audemars Piguet had already experimented with carbon watch parts in the 1980s and developed a keen sense for the material’s potential, forged carbon is the registered brand of an aeronautical company in the region of Lyon, France. He also mentions that AP has kept the same philosophy that aeronautic companies have followed, but have modified the technique for heating and cooling the molds. When the material is compressed under heating, it evolves in an unpredictable way delivering a final product that is unique every time. To make a forged carbon case, carbon fibers are distributed in a random manner inside a mold. To take advantage of this material, Audemars Piguet has significantly invested and developed a unique know-how -like no other watch manufacture- that goes all the way from the manufacturing process to equipment development by utilizing the same method used in aeronautics when forging carbon.Īccording to Yves Leuba, head of Audemars Piguet's forged carbon department, there cannot be two identical forged carbon cases due to its meticulous and unique production process. The forged carbon case has very unique attributes when it comes to its resistance, lightness -cases typically weighing less than 100 grams- and marbled effect and to the touch, it feels satiny and smooth unlike any other material out there. History of Audemars Piguet Using Forged Carbon CasesĪfter the release of its first forged carbon case in 2007 with the Alinghi Team limited edition, several references followed using this unique material. With a hardness rating of 1,450 Vickers and anti-corrosive properties, cermet was utilized for the very first time on the bezel of the Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli Limited Edition ref. This very advanced composite, is typically used in creating heat shields for space shuttles and its name is the result of the contraction of the words “ceramics” and “metal”. Lastly in 2010, Audemars Piguet was the first company to use a special composite named cermet. ![]() ![]() 26062FS, a 1,300-piece limited edition for the 32nd edition of the Americas Cup where the Alinghi Team was the defending sailing team. 26030 in 2004 and then in 2007, Audemars Piguet released the first-ever forged carbon case with the launch of the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team ref. 25940 carbon fiber for the bezel and crown guards of the Royal Oak Offshore 'Juan Pablo Montoya' ref. 25770SN in 1999 Alacrite 602 -a cobalt-based, non-magnetic stainless steel super-alloy- for the Royal Oak Concept in 2002 also in 2002, rubber clad gold and stainless steel bezels for the Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad ref. These materials include: tantalum for its Royal Oak in 1986 black PVD stainless steel for the Royal Oak Offshore 'End of Days' ref. Not only Audemars Piguet was the first company to release a luxury sports watch in stainless steel with the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972, but also the first company to use many materials never before used by other watch companies. History of Audemars Piguet Using New Materials ![]()
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