LOUIS MOINET – TIME TO RACE Unique Edition

 

LOUIS MOINET – Mechanical Wonders TIME TO RACE Titanium Chronograph Unique Edition 2022

  "Auto racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built
Henry Ford
Time to Race – the predestined world of the chronograph

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Of all complications, the chronograph remains the most useful in the modern world. In the sporting field, the chronograph is the absolute judge. It determines which driver has completed the fastest lap. TIME TO RACE propels itself into the world of gentlemen drivers and also embodies the beauty of sport, the unique spirit expressing the merging of man and machine.

Each collector can choose his own one-of-a-kind creation

TIME TO RACE is not a limited series, but a set of one-of-a-kind creation. Collectors will indeed be able to personalise their model by selecting a one or two-digit “lucky number” that will appear on the front of the timepiece, along with a dedicated colour code: Rosso Corsa, Racing Green or French blue.

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No two watches will thus be alike. These colours have been specifically selected because they embody the most legendary cars in motorsports. To ensure clearer vehicle identification, national colours were assigned in motor racing until the end of the 1960s. This tradition remains present today in the collective imagination, as the tradition has endured. Thus, a red car brings to mind Italy, a green one England and a blue one France...

A strong creation – a new show

The dial side reveals the sumptuous chronograph mechanism, fully visible and highlighted in a whole new way, with the strongly domed crystal reveals it even more fully. A side view also reveals a previously unknown sight...

The racing spirit

The aerodynamic quest embodied in the design of TIME TO RACE has defined a style reflecting a resolutely competitive spirit.

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Its glareproofed sapphire crystal features an imposing curvature serving to enable uncompromising appreciation of the column-wheel mechanism. This ingenious and original design has given rise to a new type of inner bezel ring, dissociated from the crystal. It also makes it possible to combine two different readings of short-time measurements: a tachymeter scale and a 60-second display.

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The creation of this bi-material inner bezel ring is complex and owes its brilliance to the intensity of the colour present in its first quarter, made from an avant-garde material. Its bold character is further emphasised by a luminous transfer of the measurement indications designed to enable readability in the dark.

 Day  

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 Night

 Finally, the inner bezel ring frames a woven carbon fibre mainplate highlighting the 147 components of the chronograph mechanism. It also provides the reading contrast that is so useful during chronograph operations, indicated by the large coloured hand and one of the two smoke-coloured counters.
The hours and minutes are read off a subdial at 6 o'clock. This central design element bears the wearer's "Lucky Number", painted in black on a white background with a glossy polished finish, and surrounded by a metal ring reminiscent of the bores used in racing cars.

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Its case weighs only 18 grams, cut from grade 5 titanium, then polished and satin-brushed. It evokes the quest for minimum weight that means more comfort and a more seamless fit on the wrist, further enhanced by a strap specially designed to be a perfect extension of the case.

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The lines of the case are fluid and taut. The sides feature a new crown base. The lugs are openworked and feature a subtle satin-brushed camber that highlights the integration of the bracelet. They are tipped with the emblematic Louis Moinet signature in the shape of four black zircons with chatons held by screws.

A powerful mechanism

The chronograph offers the most interaction with its wearer. TIME TO RACE dramatically increases this pleasure, as it is 100% visual. All it takes is one smooth press on the single pusher to make a unique choreography unfolds before your eyes. The various elements – levers, clutch, hammers, column wheel, springs and wheels – are set into motion and interact with the ultimate goal of activating the chronograph and measuring time.

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The modern and spectacular design of TIME TO RACE requires the production of 147 components for the upper part dedicated to the chronograph and 164 components for the lower part corresponding to the self-winding movement.

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Entirely respectful of Louis Moinet's tradition, the new style direction is defined by its meticulous lines. A chronograph with a decidedly contemporary character, its design is inspired by the world's first chronograph produced by Louis Moinet in 1816, inventor of the chronograph and high frequency (Guinness World Records™).

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection: Mechanical Wonders Unique Edition

Model:  TIME TO RACE Edition

Exclusively single-piece editions

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Ref.  LM-96.20.8R - Rosso Corsa / Ref.  LM-96.20.8VF - Racing Green /  Ref.  LM-96.20.8B - Bleu de France

Each single-piece edition associates a particular number with one of the three colours offered:

• Rosso Corsa
• Racing Green
• Bleu de France

CASE
Material: Grade 5 titanium | Polished and satin-brushed
Glasses: Box-type sapphire crystal | Glareproofed on both sides
Single pusher “Clous de Paris" hobnail pattern
Diameter 40.7 mm
DIAL
Hours/minutes
Colour: white background and black shiny-polished numerals
Outer ring: rhodium-plated, circular satin-finished
Hands: rhodium-plated & faceted
Counters: Translucent material with white luminescent transfer
Hands Satin black PVD | Coloured Super-LumiNova TM
Inner bezel ring:
Dual display: tachymeter scale and 60 seconds | White luminescent transfer | Bi-material with a circular satin finish
MOVEMENT
Manufacture Louis Moinet
Calibre LM96
Functions Hours | Minutes | Seconds | 60-second & 30-minute chronograph counters
Complication: Single-pusher column-wheel chronograph
Type: Self-winding mechanism | balance with screws
Oscillating weight:
Bi-material | 6 ball bearings | Adorned with concentric "Clous de Paris" hobnail pattern, "Fleur de Lys”
Finishes on the upper side:
Mainplate: carbon fibre
Steel parts: straight-grained and chamfered
Gear trains: circular satin-finished
Finishes on the underside:
“Côtes de Genève” hobnail pattern, polished edges
Diamond-polished sinks
Components 311
Oscillations 28,800 vibrations per hour
Frequency 4 Hz
Jewels 30
Power reserve 48 hours
Water resistance 50 metres
STRAP
Material Preformed rubber
Clasp: Triple-blade folding clasp | Steel with black PVD finish | Fine adjustment |Curved
"Fleur de Lys"

Limited Edition - Exclusively single-piece editions

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Press Release - 2022
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AUDEMARS PIGUET – ROYAL OAK Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin Anniversary

 

AUDEMARS PIGUET – ROYAL OAK Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD#3 Steel 39 mm 50th Anniversary - 2022

 AUDEMARS PIGUET UNVEILS THE NEW ROYAL OAK RD#3 TO CELEBRATE THE ICONIC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet proudly unveils its latest research and development breakthrough (RD#3) with the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin. This 39 mm stainless steel anniversary model, measuring 8.1 mm in thickness, represents the first “Jumbo” in history to be equipped with a selfwinding flying tourbillon. It is powered by the Manufacture’s new selfwinding ultra-thin flying tourbillon movement, Calibre 2968, measuring just 3.4 mm thick and adorned with a novel combination of traditional and contemporary hand-crafted decorations. 

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Audemars Piguet’s watchmakers have met several technical challenges to bring this timepiece to life, while devoting particular attention to aesthetic details. Pushing the boundaries of feasibility, this model will be complemented in September by a second 37 mm version for the slimmer wrists, enriched with a dial of a different hue.

A NEW ULTRA-THIN FLYING TOURBILLON MOVEMENT

At the heart of this new innovation is Calibre 2968, an ultra-thin selfwinding flying tourbillon movement that was developed over a five-year period. Audemars Piguet’s engineers and watchmakers took on numerous challenges in order to accommodate this complication – previously reserved for 41 mm diameters – into the smaller volume of a “Jumbo:” a first for the Manufacture and one of the rare examples in the watch industry as a whole. Given the extra-thin nature of the form language, this selfwinding flying tourbillon had to be creatively rethought to reduce the thickness required to house this complication by repositioning certain components. The tourbillon cage, which is crafted in titanium, is notably equipped for the first time with a peripheral drive. The combination of these two elements not only makes the distribution of energy to the tourbillon more fluid, but also served to lighten and refine this regulating organ.

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In order to provide optimum visibility of the tourbillon and the movement, Audemars Piguet engineers completely redesigned the architecture of the mechanism. The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a new escapement to accentuate the aesthetic details while revealing part of the movement’s workings. The geometry and positioning of the balance wheel arms have notably been revised in such a way as to make the watch’s beating heart even more perceptible. The technical design of the movement results in the flying tourbillon being placed at the dial level, for a greater visual experience.

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The hand decoration of the movement components, visible through the sapphire caseback, combines the dynamism and classicism of V-angles with the modernity of traits tirés – a finish that appears on the mainplate and bridges and replaces the traditional Côtes de Genève. The openworked, rhodium-toned bridges offer an unobstructed view, contrasting with the pink-gold-toned colour of certain mechanism elements. 

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“The Royal Oak continues to evolve and cut through the timeline 50 years after its creation and will do so for the next 50 years and beyond. It remains a platform for both technical and aesthetic development, as demonstrated by the new ultra-thin flying tourbillon making its debut on both the classic 39 mm and the celebrated 37 mm Royal Oak models. The movement architecture was designed to offer a unique view of the smaller cage while showcasing an engaging contrast of hand-finishing techniques throughout. ”
Michael Friedman Head of Complications

A REFINED AND SLENDER DESIGN

The new RD#3 remains true to the aesthetic codes of the iconic “Jumbo” models. The stainless steel case and bracelet feature the collection’s signature satin-brushed and polished hand finishes, while the timepiece is graced with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 Petite Tapisserie dial which pays tribute to the original model. The colour is obtained using a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process that guarantees a uniform and lasting tone across all the dials.

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Just as on the 1972 model, this new “Jumbo” reference is distinguished by bathtub-shaped hour-markers and hands filled with luminescent material to ensure optimal readability in the dark. The Audemars Piguet signature, like the minute track, is printed in white on the Tapisserie motif. The titanium flying tourbillon cage rotating at 6 o’clock stands out against the blue Tapisserie backdrop to create an airy effect.

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Contrary to the original model, the contemporary version is endowed with a sapphire caseback, which reveals the new ultra-thin movement and the dedicated oscillating weight.

A DEDICATED “50-YEARS” OSCILLATING WEIGHT

The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin features a central oscillating weight mounted on ball bearings and equipped with two reversers2 that ensure bidirectional winding. The timepiece is fitted with the dedicated anniversary openworked oscillating weight in rhodium-toned 22-carat pink gold, which bears the “50-years” logo and the Audemars Piguet signature engraved on its surface. 

 

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Matching the tones of the stainless steel case and bracelet, it is also adorned with the collection’s trademark polished and satin-brushed finishes.

A TRADITION OF TECHNICAL PROWESS

In 1986, Audemars Piguet introduced the world’s first selfwinding tourbillon wristwatch. Imagined by Jacqueline Dimier, the design placed the tourbillon escapement on the dial side for the very first time. Calibre 2870 is housed in an ultra-thin case measuring a mere 5.3 mm thick. Its titanium tourbillon cage remains one of the smallest in the world today with a diameter of 7.2 mm, as well as one of the lightest with a weight of only 0.123 grams. This model became known as the Tourbillon Selfwinding Ra (in reference to the Egyptian sun god) because Jacqueline Dimier’s design gave the tiny regulator the appearance of a sun, with its rays spreading across the dial. This complicated wristwatch, of which 401 were produced until 1992, opened up a new avenue for Haute Horlogerie, which began to see a comeback of prestigious mechanisms including tourbillon watches.

Thirty years after Jacqueline Dimier’s model, the Manufacture, known for its ability to innovate, launched a series of Research and Development models. In 2015, Audemars Piguet revealed its first RD#1 Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater Supersonnerie prototype at SIHH, after eight years of research in partnership with EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and a panel of experts composed of watchmakers, engineers, musicians and sound specialists. This watch marked a significant step forward in terms of acoustic performance, sound amplification and sonic beauty, with the launch of the Supersonnerie mechanism.3 This system, for which three patents were filed, combines a novel chiming mechanism with an innovative case construction. The commercial Royal Oak Concept Minute Repeater Supersonnerie version, which followed one year later, won the “Mechanical Exception Watch Prize” at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

 

In 2019, Audemars Piguet unveiled a new innovation with its 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, whose prototype was presented a year earlier at SIHH under the name RD#2. This 6.3 mm-thick calendar watch houses a movement that is only 2.89 mm thick, making it the world’s thinnest automatic calendar wristwatch of its time. To achieve this feat, the calendar functions usually mounted on three levels were brought together on a single plane. The experts at the Manufacture also developed two patented innovations relating to the integration of the end-of-month cam with the date wheel and the association of the month cam with the month wheel. Marking a turning point in the history of complication watches, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin earned Audemars Piguet the “Aiguille d’Or” award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in November 2019.

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This year, the Manufacture’s latest technical advance, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin, follows in the footsteps of previous innovations. This RD#3 timepiece, powered by the new Calibre 2968, combines technical innovation and aesthetic refinement to pay a fine tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary.
 

 

“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.” 

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model: ROYAL OAK Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin / 39 mm

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Reference:  26670ST.OO.1240ST.01

Movement
Selfwinding Manufacture Calibre 2968
 

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Total diameter 29.6 mm (13 lignes)
Total thickness 3.40 mm
Number of jewels 33
Number of parts 226
Minimal guaranteed power reserve 50 h
Frequency of balance wheel 3 Hz (= 21,600 vibrations/hour)
Functions
Hours, minutes and Flying tourbillon
Case
Stainless steel case  

Diameter: 41 mm
Thickness: 8.1 mm
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback
Water-resistant to 50 m
Dial
Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial with Petite Tapisserie pattern.
White gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with AP folding clasp

 New Product Overview 2022

Price: Price on Request  💰

 

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Press Release - 2022
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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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