Every year since 2002, Audemars Piguet has produced inventive timepieces to the Royal Oak Concept collection. The ever-evolving collection was originally created as tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the Royal Oak Collection and its designer, Gerald Genta.
Early this year, Audemars Piquet introduced the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon, a timepiece that holds true to the Maison’s 135 years of expertise while incorporating bold design and innovative uses of materials. The timepiece integrates white ceramic in the bezel, push pieces and crown. What’s more, the bright white ceramic is used in its calibre 2930 powerhouse as the upper bridge, creating a striking, balanced design framing the tourbillon carriage and the second GMT time-zone display.
Lucky for iW, we had the opportunity to sit down with Xavier Nolot, CEO of the Americas for Audemars Piguet to take a closer look at the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon as well as the new Millenary Minute Repeater:
The Calibre 2930 features a twin barrel ensuring a 10-day power reserve, tourbillon and second time zone ‘GMT’ display. Its timekeeping is regulated by a 3Hz (21,600vph) escapement, rotating inside a tourbillon carriage every 60 seconds, compensating for the effects of the Earth’s gravity when the watch is oriented vertically for any length of time.
In addition, the GMT display provides instant reading of second time zone and is adjusted using a push piece at 4 o’clock. The 12-hour second timezone indication is comprised of two superimposed discs; the first, completes one turn in 12-hours and the second, just below, completes a turn in 24 hours.
