[New for 2022] Mechanical watch [Audemars Piguet] "Royal Oak "Carolina Bucci" Limited Edition"

Good evening everyone.

The rainy season has begun nationwide. How are you doing? Although the rain can be depressing, it can also be a wonderful time to spend some time relaxing at home watching your favorite TV. Every year around this time of year, I think about taking the Enoden train to Hasedera Temple to see the hydrangeas, but I've never been able to do it (lol).

*Source: https://milled.com/audemarspiguet/from-iconoclast-to-icon-1Ov86sUcZL1_1bxr

Now, the Royal Oak is celebrating its 50th anniversary since its birth in 1972. It is still fresh in our memory that the iconic Royal Oak "Extra-Thin" was revamped, but in 2022, which marks the 50th anniversary, various initiatives are being carried out, such as the special exhibition "Royal Oak: 50 Years of Time (ending June 5th)" held at Tokyo Midtown.

This time, I would like to focus on the "Royal Oak "Carolina Bucci" Limited Edition", including the new model that was just announced recently. Please enjoy until the end.

*Source: https://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-frosted-gold-carolina-bucci-limited-edition-ref-15454or-gg-1259or-03-

Carolina Bucci was born into a family of traditional goldsmiths with roots in 19th century Florence. After studying design and fine arts at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York, she returned to her hometown of Florence and presented her first collection. In 2017, she opened a flagship store in London. As the fourth generation of a historic jeweler family inherited from her great-grandfather Ferdinand Bucci, she continues to design original jewelry. The main feature of her work is the use of gold weaving techniques that have been handed down in Florence for centuries.

*Source: https://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-frosted-gold-carolina-bucci-limited-edition-ref-15454or-gg-1259or-03-

Her first collection, LUCKY, was released in 2002 and is also her signature work. The bracelet is made of 18K gold chains and silk cords woven on a weaving machine that is over 100 years old. It is a friendship bracelet that she herself loves.

*Source: https://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-frosted-gold-carolina-bucci-limited-edition-ref-15454or-gg-1259or-03-

Her work became better known when Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Carrie, wore her jewelry in the hit movie "Sex and the City" in 2005. Her jewelry is also loved by many celebrities, including Nicole Richie, Cindy Crawford, Jessica Alba, and Victoria Beckham, and she is one of the leading designers in the contemporary jewelry world.

*Source: https://lacatena.carolinabucci.com/post/when-carolina-bucci-met-royal-oak

I first encountered Audemars Piguet around 2011.

My first encounter with Audemars Piguet was about seven years ago. I saw a woman wearing a beautiful watch in the streets of New York. It was Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak. However, the simple yellow gold model was no longer in production, and I was lucky enough to find a vintage one for my husband, so I was able to get it. Since then, I've worn the watch almost every day, and before I knew it, it had become a part of my style.

"Carolina Bucci"
Source: https://www.vogue.co.jp/special-feature/2018-12/13/audemarspiguet

In fact, Carolina Bucci's husband gave it to her as a gift for her 35th birthday.
He revealed that the watch was manufactured around 1982 and was a 36mm Royal Oak with yellow gold and champagne dial (bar indexes).

I met Francois-Henri Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet, through a mutual acquaintance. As we interacted, Bennahmias asked me, "Why do you wear such a masculine watch?" I answered honestly, "I don't like women's watches." Women's watches are usually delicate in form and decorated with diamonds. Even when I was shown a similar watch and told, "This is for women," I was not satisfied at all. Then Bennahmias asked, "Then can you make a better watch?" and I answered, "Of course!" That was the beginning of our collaboration.

"Carolina Bucci"
Source: https://www.vogue.co.jp/special-feature/2018-12/13/audemarspiguet

*Source: https://watch-media-online.com/blogs/1253/

After this conversation, Bennahmias asked Carolina Bucci to take on the challenge of redesigning the ladies' Royal Oak (29mm Reference 8638), designed by Jacqueline Dimier in 1976, from a new perspective.

"It was a fun experience because all I had to do was imagine the watch I really wanted. I wanted the Royal Oak Frosted Gold to have a strong first impression that would make you fall in love with it the moment you see it, but also to allow you to appreciate the quality of the watch itself as you wear it. However, since the watch itself is perfect, instead of changing the design, I added the Florentine finish, which is one of the signatures of my jewelry, and finished it like jewelry."

"Carolina Bucci"
Source: https://www.vogue.co.jp/special-feature/2018-12/13/audemarspiguet

*Source: https://lacatena.carolinabucci.com/post/when-carolina-bucci-met-royal-oak

In November 2016, Carolina Bucci and Audemars Piguet released their first collaboration, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold, in white gold and pink gold.

"Royal Oak Frosted Gold Automatic"
"Ref.15454BA.GG.1259BA.02"

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch-collection/royal-oak/15454BA.GG.1259BA.02.html

*Source: https://lacatena.carolinabucci.com/post/when-carolina-bucci-met-royal-oak

Carolina Bucci and Audemars Piguet released a limited edition model of 300 pieces in 2018. The case and bracelet are made of yellow gold, which Bucci loves, and the surface is finished in frosted gold with a matte finish using a metalworking technique. It has a very glittering impression, and the 37mm case size makes it unisex.

*Source: https://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-frosted-gold-carolina-bucci-limited-edition-ref-15454or-gg-1259or-03-

The dial is a mirror-finished dial, which shows different expressions depending on the amount of light and the angle. The movement is the same "Cal.3120" as the "Ref.15400", and it has a power reserve of about 60 hours, making it very practical. Another point is that you can see the beautiful movement with a 22K rotor from the case back.

*Source: https://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-frosted-gold-carolina-bucci-limited-edition-ref-15454or-gg-1259or-03-

The printed mirror box of "Frosted Gold AP" was also designed by Carolina Bucci.

"Royal Oak Automatic"
"Ref.77350CE.OO.1266CE.02.A"

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch-collection/royal-oak/77350CE.OO.1266CE.02.A.html

*Source: https://lacatena.carolinabucci.com/post/when-carolina-bucci-met-royal-oak

This is a limited edition model of 300 pieces worldwide, announced in June 2022. The case diameter has been reduced to 34mm, unlike the previous collaboration model, but it seems to be positioned as a genderless model with a return to classicism. The case and bracelet are made of scratch-resistant black ceramic. However, the most distinctive feature of this model is the dial.

"Rainbows can appear in unexpected places, like oil on the road that creates rainbow colors on its surface. This dial is a perfect black, a black canvas that absorbs all colors, allowing the seven colors of the rainbow to appear."

"Carolina Bucci"
Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch/play-of-light.html

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch-collection/royal-oak/77350CE.OO.1266CE.02.A.html

This rainbow tapestry is created by edging a small tapestry onto the front of a sapphire disc and then applying vapor deposition to the back.

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/watch-collection/royal-oak/77350CE.OO.1266CE.02.A.html

Sometimes the rainbow colors are visible, sometimes they are not. The contrast with black was important to create the different expressions. I also think that black ceramic was used for the case material instead of yellow gold to make the dial stand out.

*Source: https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/carolina-bucci-royal-oak

The contrast of the colors with the pink gold hands, indexes, and screws is also outstandingly beautiful. Carolina Bucci said in an interview that she "played with colors," but the design makes you want to see the beauty of the dial in person.

"KISS Collection"

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/news/origins/carolina-bucci-kiss.html

The KISS Collection was released at Audemars Piguet boutiques in December 2020. It is a jewelry collection designed by Carolina Bucci, inspired by the work of a watchmaker.

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/news/origins/carolina-bucci-kiss.html

The concept is "Keep It Super Simple," and the initials are taken from the name "KISS." The necklace and bracelet are made of flexible coils of 18K gold, designed to match the Royal Oak Frosted Gold.

*Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/news/origins/carolina-bucci-kiss.html

There is no spring inside. The bracelet is the spring and the spring is gold. This is the magic.

"Carolina Bucci"
Source: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/ja/news/origins/carolina-bucci-kiss.html

Because they are stretchy, the necklace can be easily put on and taken off by simply putting it on the head, and the bracelet can be easily put on and taken off by simply putting it on the hand. This product can only be purchased at a limited number of AP Houses and boutiques, and in Japan it can only be purchased at the Audemars Piguet Boutique Nagoya.

What did you think.

The two Carolina Bucci limited edition models released so far are the mirror dial and the sapphire dial, which show different expressions depending on the amount of light and how it hits the watch. In an interview, she mentioned that "The watch will never look exactly the same because the light is always different." She also said that "the design of the Royal Oak is already complete," but by skillfully adding the essence of light and finish, she has created a new Royal Oak.

In June 2022, the 50th anniversary model, the 41mm size "Royal Oak" "Ref. 15510ST", will be released, and Audemars Piguet, as one of the three major watch maisons in the world, is gaining momentum. There may be more surprises for the "Royal Oak" this year!

see you!