ARNOLD & SON – Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix Edition

 

 ARNOLD & SON – MÉTIERS D'ARTS Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix Gold Limited Edition 2021

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 The stone behind the legend

By merging mineral with myth, Arnold & Son is adding a new dimension to its thinnest tourbillon. The five versions of the Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix, each released as an edition of five pieces, feature dials made from rarely used varieties of hardstone. 

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Their structure, colour and richness serve as a backdrop for the two legendary creatures as they dance around their prized pearl.

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Off-centred dials can be found on several models from the Arnold & Son collections. This arrangement is both the historical heritage of the marine chronometers created by John Arnold in the 18^th century and a consequence of the mechanical structure of Arnold & Son’s manufacture calibres. 

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A fortunate consequence of this arrangement is that it naturally lends itself to artistic expression. Arnold & Son has produced a series of 25 pieces, based on its Ultrathin Tourbillon model, that pair figures from Chinese mythology with the best Swiss expertise.

Miniature works of art

Arnold & Son references the myth of the Dragon and the Phoenix. These fantastic creatures were neighbours who decided to make a pearl together, one using its talons, the other its teeth. 

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The jewel was the extraordinary product of their equally impressive magic powers. Stolen by the mother of the Jade Emperor, it fell down from the heavens and the animals rushed to catch it in mid-air.

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This pearl of wisdom and fertility is the essence of the Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix tale. 

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The two beasts are depicted by two expressive, precious finely worked miniature sculptures curled up on either side of the dial. 

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Complete with scales, feathers, spurs, teeth, beak and mane, they are entirely crafted from solid rose gold and engraved by hand. In the dragon’s claws is the pearl, made from mother-of-pearl. 

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The level of detail is extraordinary, all the more so as these two animals are only around 2 cm long. 

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 In the background, Arnold & Son introduces colour and substance: the stone.

Products of geology

Each of the five Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix models features a dial made from a different hardstone.  

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Bronzite, Eudialyte, Marcassite, Pietersite and Verdite are coloured minerals with deep surface effects, but are little known and rarely used in watchmaking. 

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Arnold & Son chose these varieties of hardstone for their evocative properties. In Bronzite, pearlescent, red and black inclusions stand out against predominant beige tones. 

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Black and grey Marcassite is scattered with outgrowths like stones emerging from a flat landscape. The deep blue grey of Pietersite is crossed by expansive iridescent clouds. 

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Verdite, meanwhile, reveals a bright, shifting green. Lastly, intense Eudialyte contains gradients of purple opposing mottled white veins.

Proportions

 Each of these versions comes with a large-scaled alligator skin strap that matches the dial, paired with 18-carat gold thread topstitching. 

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The strap attaches to a 5N red gold case measuring 42 mm in diameter and 8.60 mm thick. 

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This thinness is all the more remarkable as the Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix models incorporate a tourbillon calibre.  

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It simultaneously offers accurate timekeeping, a refined skeletonised structure, mechanical nobility and, for good measure, a symmetrical architecture. 

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The symmetry of the pieces even extends to the domed sections: the skeletonised tourbillon bridge slightly protrudes from the dial, level with the off-centred dial, which is also domed. 

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Meanwhile the mythical creatures carved from gold balance out the design horizontally. 

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The precise proportions, the dynamics and the composition are the product of a keen aesthetic and mechanical sense.

Mechanical lacework

Beneath the rare stone dials lies the A&S8200 calibre. Measuring 2.97 mm thick, it is one of the thinnest to be regulated by a tourbillon. 

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Like all the movements used by Arnold & Son, the A&S8200 calibre was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up within the walls of the brand's manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 

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This calibre is based on a large barrel with an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, giving a 90-hour power reserve that is extremely rare for a tourbillon, especially given its thinness. 

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The structure is refined further still by the skeletonised tourbillon bridge and hand engraving on the rear tourbillon bridge.

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As the light passes through the Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix, it illuminates the mythological scene and brings the mechanical lacework into the mineral landscape.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:  MÉTIERS D'ARTS

Model:   ULTRATHIN Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix Edition

Reference 

• Bronzite: 1UTAR.Z01A 
• Eudialyte: 1UTAR.Z02A
• Marcassite: 1UTAR.Z03A  
• Pietersite: 1UTAR.Z04A
• Verdite: 1UTAR.Z05A

Movement
Calibre A&S8200, 1 minute flying tourbillon, manual winding
Jewels 29
Diameter 32.00 mm
Height 2.97 mm
Power reserve 90 hours
Frequency 3 Hz / 21,600 vph
Finishes main plate: Côtes de Genève stripes radiating from the centre and
hand-engraved tourbillon bridge
bridges: polished and chamfered by hand
wheels: circular satin-finished
screws: blued and chamfered, mirror-polished heads
tourbillon bridge: skeletonised
rear tourbillon bridge: engraved by hand
tourbillon carriage: satin-finished, polished, and chamfered
Functions hours, minutes
Dial  
Bronzite, Eudialyte, Marcassite, Pietersite or Verdite
counter: white opal
phoenix & dragon: 18-carat rose gold (4N), entirely engraved by hand
pearl: Pinctada maxima
Case
Material 18-carat red gold (5N)
Diameter 42.00 mm
Thickness 8.60 mm (with crystal)
Crystal domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
Case back sapphire crystal
Water-resistance 30 metres / 100 feet
Strap
Material alligator leather hand-stitched with 18-carat red gold (5N) thread
Buckle pin buckle, 18-carat red gold (5N)

Limited editions 5 timepieces for each model

Global retail price excluding tax CHF 99,000 (subject to change)

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Press releases - 2021
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AUDEMARS PIGUET – Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Flyback Chronograph Edition

 AUDEMARS PIGUET – Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Flyback Chronograph Titanium 44 Limited Edition 2021

Audemars Piguet launches its first royal oak offshore selfwinding flying tourbillon flyback chronograph in a newly designed 43 mm case. Limited to 100 pieces, the new Royal Oak Offshore comes with the brand’s interchangeable strap system for more versatility.

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is happy to announce the release of a new complication in the Royal Oak Offshore collection. Limited to 100 pieces, the new selfwinding timepiece combines flying tourbillon with flyback chronograph in a brand new case diameter of 43 mm, paving the way for a new generation of redesigned Royal Oak Offshore models. Although it retains the essence of the Royal Oak Offshore’s original characteristics, the case has evolved to offer optimum ergonomics and aesthetics while the dial reveals the muscular architecture of the new movement hand-finished to the nines. Complemented with the Manufacture’s new interchangeable strap system, this high complication brings together efficiency and technical sophistication.

New sporty movement upholding tradition

The Royal Oak Offshore limited edition is powered by a new aesthetic interpretation of the Manufacture’s selfwinding movement with flying tourbillon and flyback chronograph originally released in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. While the flyback function enables to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first, the flying tourbillon making its rotation at 6 o’clock compensates for the effect of gravity.

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Adapted to the watch’s new diameter, Calibre 2967 presents a more sportive aesthetics attuned to the collection’s identity. Redesigned, the architectural titanium bridges adorned with black PVD coating incorporate titanium inserts for a two-tone contrast. While the titanium bridges have been finished with satin-brushing and hand-polished angles, the inserts present an alternation of sandblasted and polished surfaces for more visual appeal. In addition, the bridges’ external chamfers have been meticulously polished to remove the black PVD coating to further the contrast of colours and textures.

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The bridges also reveal part of the multi-layered movement’s two-tone components on both sides of the watch. Similarly, the flying tourbillon cage showcases the rhodium-toned balance wheel pulsating within. In addition to uncovering part of the gear train, the sapphire caseback presents the collection’s openworked oscillating weight in 22-carat gold coated with black PVD. With 65 hours of power reserve when not on the wrist and water-resistance to 100 metres, this complicated limited edition is fit for sporty adventures

Ergonomic 43 mm
titanium case

This Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Flyback Chronograph marks the beginning of a new generation of Royal Oak Offshore in 43 mm that combines the collection’s powerful identity with a more ergonomic design. The timepiece’s titanium case presents larger polished chamfers on the edges, while the bezel and glareproofed sapphire crystal have been vertically curved for a contemporary touch.

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The black ceramics screw-locked crown and chronograph pushpieces also follow a refined curvature, while subtly echoing the movement’s grey and dark hues. The alternation of hand-polished chamfers and sandblasting finishing adorning the case and bezel also provides an impactful contrast. The titanium sapphire caseback, finished with circular satin-brushing, is engraved with “Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition of 100 Pieces.”

Architecturale aesthetics

In place of a traditional dial, the hand-finished architectural and multi-layered movement provides the ultimate backdrop for the dial aesthetics. The two transparent chronograph counters, outlined with a black outer ring, leave the view of the two-tone movement unencumbered.

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The movement’s dark hues are also illuminated by more assertive 18-carat white gold hands, a white transferred minute track on the black inner bezel, as well as applied rhodium-toned AP initials realised in galvanic growth, appearing without the long-form signature. Last but not least, the red chronograph hands add a vivid touch of colour.

An assortment
of interchangeable straps

This limited timepiece is fitted with the new interchangeable strap system complementing the latest Royal Oak Offshore models. The interchangeability system has been directly integrated into the case’s studs and buckle.

The ease and efficiency of the new system will allow clients to change the straps and buckles of their new timepiece themselves with a quick click and release. The double-push system also grants optimum security when the watch is worn on the wrist.

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The black interchangeable rubber strap adorning this high complication is endowed with a new aesthetics with redesigned grooves forming in the continuity of the studs. The watch also comes with an additional black hand-stitched “large square-scale alligator” strap. The AP folding clasp in sandblasted titanium also offers a new ergonomic design.

The Royal Oak Offshore collection also presents an assortment of two elegant calfskin straps in beige or brown fitted with the interchangeable system. More rubber and alligator strap options will be released later this year. Stay tuned!

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 “The aesthetics of the movement originally released in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection has been redesigned in the Royal Oak Offshore style with Calibre 2967. Its blackened architectural bridges, honed from titanium, have taken on a more sportive and bold look with decorative titanium inserts bringing relief, contrasts and plays of light. Opening onto the multi-layered movement, they also reveal new sporty decorations deeper down for a powerful contrast to the smallest detail. This is the marriage of tradition and innovation at its peak.”

Lucas Raggi, Development Director

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Flyback Chronograph (ref. 26622TI.GG.D002CA.01) is limited to 100 pieces and will be available in June 2021. The price has yet to be confirmed.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
 

Model: Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Flyback Chronograph

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Reference: 26622TI.GG.D002CA.01

 
Case
Diameter 43 mm
Sandblasted titanium case and bezel
Glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback
Black ceramic pushpieces and screw-locked crown
Sandblasted titanium pushpiece guards and studs
Water-resistant to 100m
Dial
Openworked - black inner bezel with seconds
Black chronograph counter rings at 3 and 8 o'clock
Red chronograph hands and markings
Flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock .
18k white gold hands with lume
Blackened titanium bridges
Movement
AP manufacture calibre 2967 (based on Code 11.59 calibre 2952) 
Total diameter:   33.6 mm (13¾ lignes) - 526 parts
Automatic - 21,600vph/3Hz  - 65h power reserve
Functions hours, minutes, flying tourbillon, flyback chronograph
Strap
Interchangeable black rubber strap with sandblasted titanium folding clasp.
Additional interchangeable black hand-stitched “large square-scale” alligator strap.

 Limited edition to 500 pieces 

Availaibility from June 2021

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Press Release - 2021
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Audemars Piguet (Marketing) SA
Route de France 16 - Case postale 16
1348 Le Brassus - Switzerland
Phone : + 41 21 642 39 00
Fax : + 41 21 642 34 02
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