It is indeed the year of the Royal Oak, it being after all its 40th anniversary. Audemars Piguet went all out celebrating too with the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Limited Edition 40th Anniversary.
Even when there aren’t streamers, party hats and balloons, the Royal Oak dominates Audemars Piguet’s lineup. Percentage-wise they outsell all the other models. There’s no doubt the Gerald Genta-designed watch is a classic, a true trailblazer of the sport watch market. It’s hard to believe that with all of today’s sport watches there really wasn’t a market for them back then.
But, beyond the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet produces some pretty gorgeous watches that are worth a look, in particular the Jules Audemars models. Strikingly elegant the Jules Audemars can go toe-to-toe with any dress watch out there. And they are super slim.
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar
Sure, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin hold some records for thin watches but Audemars Piguet also has chops. The Jules Audemars Extra-Thin houses the legendary Calibre 2120 that’s a mere 2.45mm tall.
Now consider that the Jules Audemars Perpetual calendar movement, which uses the Calibre 2120 as a base, is only 4mm. And that’s after adding 355 more parts! Do you realize that’s less than two quarters thick? The whole profile is only 9.15mm.
Though the Royal Oak is a superstar in one league, the Jules Audemars reigns in another and shouldn’t be forgotten.
Here are a few live pictures taken at the Audemars Piguet boutique in New York City in tribute to the Jules Audemars.
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Dual Time Power Reserve
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Self-Winding with Diamond Bezel
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Self-winding