This one-of-a-kind watch was inspired by the black ceramic Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm (All photos: Audemars Piguet)
Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has contributed a unique timepiece to an exclusive auction during the La Cuvée One Drop 2022 philanthropic event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Net proceeds from this auction will go towards the One Drop Foundation’s efforts to ensure sustainable access to safe water for all, improving the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Featuring a flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and a date, this one-of-a-kind watch was inspired by the black ceramic Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm that was unveiled in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak collection earlier this year. Its 41mm case, push-pieces, screw-locked crown and integrated bracelet, all crafted from black ceramic, are enhanced with white-gold screws on the bezel, which create a striking visual contrast.
Replacing the signature Tapisserie guilloché dial, this model comes with a deep blue dial showcasing a bold vertical satin-finished design and corresponding blue snailed counters. The blackened gold applied hour-markers recall the watch’s black ceramic architecture, while a luminescent coating on the on the hands illuminates the dial in low light.
Keen eyes will also notice that the small seconds counter at six o’clock is the same size as the minute and hour counters at three and nine o’clock, in comparison to earlier references where this counter was slightly smaller. Another new detail to note is the shape of the chronograph’s second hand, which features a trapezoid counterweight.
The Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “One Drop” is powered by the manufacturer’s integrated flyback chronograph movement, the Calibre 4401, which allows the wearer to stop, reset and start the chronograph in one simple action. A titanium sapphire caseback reveals the refined decorations on the movement, as well as a blackened 22-carat gold oscillating weight.
This article first appeared on Nov 28, 2022 in The Edge Malaysia.
