It’s the end of the first day of SIHH 2013 and we’ve seen an incredible number of incredible watches already –here’s a first look at one of the most phenomenal, from Audemars Piguet, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication. It’s a true grande comp in the classic sense; while the term is used somewhat loosely today, the tradition meaning is a watch with a perpetual calendar, rattrapante chronograph, and minute repeater. The ROO Grande Comp incorporates all three classic high complications, and is self-winding as well.
648 components, all hand-finished, each assembled by a single watchmaker. And each one really is made by one watchmaker –not only assembly and adjustment, but all chamfering and other hand-applied finissage is done by one, and only one, watchmaker (there are a grand total of four at Audemars Piguet who have mastered all the crafts necessary to pull this off.
Drop dead beautiful. Hope you enjoy the view as much as I did.
3 comments
WOW — really great photos, Jack!
Thanks Kyle I had a lovely model 🙂
Great job, as always, Mr. Forster. Thanks!
I’m no fan of the AP designs, but this piece is astonishing. Yet, a small, simple detail caught my eye: the tangential alignment of each and every one of the bezel screws, respective of the dial circumference. That’s pretty neat. Nothing escapes those AP watchmasters, it seems.
Regards from Mexico.