Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

1 0 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I O ne of the most talked about luxury timepieces at the SIHH luxury watch fair earlier this year was the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin, the launch of which marked the 40th anniversary of the first precious metal Royal Oaks. Now Audemars Piguet has created a new series of Extra-Thin versions in yellow gold that will have great appeal to many connoisseurs in the Middle East. The fondly nicknamed Jumbo in 18-carat yellow gold is a contemporary interpretation of the original Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402 of 1972. In yellow gold it looks resplendent with a Petite Tapisserie checkerboard dial that smoothly evokes 1970s retro cool. The yellow gold case and bracelet also combine to create a sophisticated monochromatic effect. The Royal Oak Extra-Thin was also available in pink gold and in a classic steel, but the yellow gold rendition makes it modern while feeling vintage. Comprised of multiple flat plane surfaces, there is a particularly masculine and appealing angular effect on the wrist. The Haute Horlogerie echelon of brands doesn’t actually use yellow gold a great deal, so when it does appear it always makes a striking impact. However, yellow gold is soft in comparison to other gold alloys, so it can be susceptible to imperfections form scratches and bumps on the immaculate polished and brushed surfaces; however, these can always be rectified by the Manufacture. The distinctive features and complex finishing techniques are crucial elements of this AP beauty, which can be argued is the world’s first luxury sports watch. At the heart of this classic is another renowned achievement, an icon within an icon: the ultra- thin self-windingManufacture calibre 2121, first launched fifty years ago. The calibre 2121 was originally developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre as the calibre 920. This movement has always been a remarkable engine but it has been tuned and improved over the decades, and continues to be a bold, robust and reliable slim movement. Just as with calibre 2121 found in other Audemars Piguet watches, the movement inside the Extra-Thin can be decorated with bespoke motifs on the rotor and it can be open-worked to form a range of designs. It is the perfect way to personalise a longstanding and evolving icon. A UDEM A R S P I gU E T R OYA L OA K E xT R A - TH I N