Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Openworked Sand Gold

Audemars Piguet (AP) unveils the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Openworked, crafted in their proprietary 18K gold alloy, sand gold. A luxurious iteration of the 2022 steel version, this timepiece underscores AP's dedication to innovative materials, facilitated by owning its case maker.

Despite the slightly fading enthusiasm for integrated-bracelet sports watches, AP persists in releasing captivating variations of its iconic Royal Oak, from brown ceramic to frosted gold. Priced at CHF250,000, this latest edition marries a rich gold case and bracelet with a cutting-edge movement.

The 41mm case, measuring a mere 10.6mm in thickness, defies expectations for a timepiece housing an automatic flying tourbillon movement. Exhibiting the signature Royal Oak finish, the sand gold alloy is meticulously adorned with straight-grained surfaces and polished bevels.

The standout feature of the Tourbillon Openworked is undoubtedly its sand gold construction. Resembling A. Lange & Söhne’s Honey Gold, it strikes a balance between white and rose gold, yet with a darker allure. 

Powering the Tourbillon Openworked is the cal. 2972, introduced in 2022. Designed as a skeletonized caliber, its immaculate bridge layout highlights its engineering prowess. The movement's motion works, ingeniously relocated to the upper dial, amplifies the tourbillon's visual impact. Additionally, anti-backlash gearing enhances the time-setting experience. Adorned with a matching galvanic treatment, the bridges harmonize with the case, epitomizing the watch's cohesive design.

The stylish model comes with a Royal Oak style bracelet made of sand gold alloy.