Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXV

Audemars Piguet DiamondOutrage A t the world’s most prestigious luxury watch fair one can expect not only the finest timepieces but also some staggering examples of haute joallerie. This year Audemars Piguet complete a spectacular trilogy of high jewellery pieces with the Diamond Outrage. Continuing the success story from the Diamond Punk in 2015 and 2016’s Diamond Fury, DiamondOutrage is a cuff watch that, like its predecessors, demands attention and keeps the onlooker transfixed. This unique piece represents the Audemars Piguet characteristic ability to marry cutting edge technology with more than 140 years of savoir-faire. Presented in two one-of-a-kind 18-carat white gold pieces, which are fully set either with diamonds or with blue sapphires, the Diamond Outrage is a suitably jaw-dropping creation to complete the collection. The glittering spikes range from 29.3mm to 40mm and each one is formed using the snow setting technique, where diamonds are set so carefully close together that the jewel’s white- gold frame is rendered almost invisible, creating an incredibly luminous effect. Invisible setting is another complicated technique that is deployed for each of the three distinctive baguette-cut diamond points featured on the full diamond version. Here, linear-cut diamonds appear to float, held perfectly in place as if no setting were required. This kind of know-how and craftsmanship is earned over many years of dedicated training. A calibre 2701 quartz movement powers the watch but it’s the gem setting here that steals the show. The diamond version features 9,923 brilliant-cut diamonds with a total of 50.06 carats, and 354 baguette-cut diamonds at 15.85 carats. The sapphire model has 11,043 brilliant- cut sapphires making a total of 65.47 carats. It’s a triumph fromAudemars Piguet, who describe the Diamond Outrage as “an explosion of stalactites on the wrist. A cuff watch of sculptural, sensual force, Diamond Outrage reflects the earth’s power to design an outrageous architecture of its own.” 1 2 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I