Audemars Piguet released a trifecta with the NEW Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 41

Earlier this month, Audemars-Piguet  introduced a new  Royal Oak Double Balance wheel Openworked. This model demonstrates advanced chronometric accuracy and visual appeal. Audemars Piguet has released a trio of 41mm watches in 18k gold, steel and black ceramic. Each model is paired with different tones of openworked architecture for calibre 3132.

The Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Selfwinding ref. The 15407 builds upon the well-known calibre 3120 that was made famous by the Openworked Skeletonized Selfwinding Ref. 15305. This year’s model features a new double-balance wheel escapement that provides improved chronometric performance, stability and visual engagement on both the front as well as the back of the timepiece.

Audemars-Piguet was not the first company to use a double balance system, but their approach is unique. The two balance wheels, two hairsprings and a central staff are all positioned on the same axis. The patented AP mechanism makes it easier to access the balances. This arrangement evenly distributes mass to increase mass and reduce friction. Eight inertia block are fitted to each balance, which allows for the precise tuning of a watch.

This 41mm case with a 9.9mm height maintains all the Royal Oak’s iconic features, including the octagonal, signature bezel, which has eight screws, and the integrated bracelet. This case features vertical satin-brushed finishes and bevels that are brightly polished, which is characteristic of Royal Oak’s unique geometry. Ceramic models are five times more time-consuming to finish than their metal counterparts.

In the black ceramic and steel versions with their pink gold openworked displays, the contrast between case and movement is especially striking. Rose gold screws complement the color of the movements in both black ceramic and steel versions. This model in yellow gold highlights all the components of the calibre 3120 when paired with an anthracite-colored movement.

Audemars-Piguet is a pioneer of the openworking technique since the 1930s. The movement can be illuminated both from the front and the back by removing the maximum amount of material from the bridges and mainplate. CNC-machining is used for cutting the intricately-shaped bridges. These are decorated by traditional finishes, such as polished bevels and straight-grained surfaces.

The gear train, mainspring and balance wheel are also clearly visible. The hour, minute, and applied hour indexes have thin, luminescent inserts to improve legibility. This can be a challenge with watches that are skeletonised. The calibre 3132 has a 45-hour reserve despite the fact that the frequency of 3Hz of the balance wheel consumes a lot of power.

The stainless steel and 18k versions are not numbered but are limited in their availability, whereas the black ceramic version is limited to 150 pieces. In just over two weeks, all three models are commanding more than double their retail value in the after market.

*Please contact me HERE to help you acquire any of the three pieces above at whatever the current after market prices are