On 15 April 2022, Royal Oak will turn half a century old and the celebrations are already beginning. The first important step marking the anniversary is the launch of the new 49 mm Extra-Flat, or 'Jumbo' to its friends. The novelty is the manufactory-made 7121 calibre, which replaces the historic 2121 manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Thus makes its appearance the first ultra-thin Audemars Piguet automatic, with a central rotor and date, 3.2 mm thick, which is well suited to the Jumbo's 8.1 mm high case. The one-piece case was not reintroduced, not least because through the sapphire glass of the case back, secured by eight through screws, the most important detail is thus visible: the special 50th anniversary rotor, which will only equip Jumbos produced in 2022. The oscillating weight is made of 22-carat gold and skeletonised, with the '50-years' logo in place of the AP logo and the colour of the gold matching that of the case. The 2022 version of the 39mm in steel retained the aesthetics of the original 1972 Royal Oak. The case and bracelet, hand-finished with satin-finishing and polished bevels, embrace the dial with its Petite Tapisserie motif in the galvanic shade Bleu Nuit Nuage 50, originally developed by Stern Frères. Today, the guilloché dials of the Jumbo models are instead made in-house. The baignoire hour markers and hands, sampled with luminescent material, and the polished gold AP monogram applied at 6 o'clock, as well as the "Audemars Piguet Automatic" stamped at 12 o'clock, have been retained.
Significant work has been done to improve the wearability of the watch: the fold of the 'lugs' has been accentuated to better follow the wrist and the bracelet links, typically tapered, are now significantly reduced in thickness at the end ends, where they join the deployment clasp.
The novelties do not end there, as no fewer than 72 new references were launched by Audemars Piguet in January. But the Jumbo with the new calibre is certainly the most striking. What do you say, will it be easy to grab one?
