Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1546381
C O U R T E S Y O F AU D E M A R S P I G U E T the covet T Skeleton Watches have nothing to hide, trading a traditional dial for a full view of what's moving underneath. BY JOSHUA HENDREN stripped back he celebrated Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has never been shy about showing off the mechanics of its luxury watches. With the brand's newest openworked Royal Oak, there's no conventional dial to speak of, instead, the eye is drawn straight into the Calibre 3132, an intricate maze of bridges, wheels, and gears that makes a feature of the mechanics usually hidden from view. The Royal Oak itself has been an Audemars Piguet signature since 1972, when legendary watch designer Gérald Genta sketched its distinctive octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and integrated bracelet. Originally launched in stainless steel at a time when precious metals still dominated horology, it helped rewrite the rules of what a high-end sports watch could look like. Four years later came the first Royal Oak designed for women, a 29mm version created by Audemars Piguet's then head of design, Jacqueline Dimier. Fast-forward 50 years and this latest iteration is crafted entirely in yellow gold, from that famous octagonal case and integrated bracelet right through to the openworked movement on display beneath the crystal. Even the oscillating weight visible through the sapphire caseback is gold, while silver-grey hour markers and white-gold hands provide just enough contrast to tell the time. At its heart is Audemars Piguet's patented double balance wheel mechanism, first introduced in 2016, which places two balance wheels and two hairsprings on the same axis to improve precision and stability. Despite all the mind-boggling mechanics, it remains pleasingly wearable on the wrist at 37mm, and a glamorous showcase for leaving a watch's inner workings on display. R T E S Y O F AU D E M A R S P I G U E T g hy f its re's is w. ch a ogy, rts irst n, n is ough h the h our gh uble 6, ings ty. ins AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 102 102 BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M ; B UYI N G I N D E X , PAG E 2 2 2