Cutting-edge, colourful, and unlike any other forged carbon watch you have ever seen
Tougher, sexier, and more cutting-edge than ever, Audemars Piguet’s new glow-in-the-dark Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date is one for the collectors’ lists. Having pioneered the use of forged carbon watches back in 2007 and inspiring many imitators in its wake, Audemars Piguet raises the ante with the exotic material yet again with this latest beast of a wristwatch.
Forged carbon cases are created by mixing carbon-fibre strands with resin and heating them under pressure, resulting in a textured appearance that recalls marbled, wood grain-like patterns. These carbon composite cases are also known to be ultra-lightweight and extremely durable.
The Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date’s new-generation forged carbon case, which took five years to develop, boasts all of the above attributes and more.
Crafted from a patented process known as Chroma Forged Technology (CFT), which allows for the carbon fibre stands to be coloured, the watch’s new case and lugs are now streaked with shots of electric blue that glow enigmatically in the dark. Besides the novel luminescent colour, the new CFT carbon case is also purportedly tougher than ever, offering greater resistance to heat, humidity, shocks, and scratches.
Known for being a platform to introduce new innovations and technologies, the Royal Oak Concept collection demonstrates its mettle yet again with the CFT case. Besides the eye-catching case, which is paired with a black ceramic bezel, crown and pushers, the watch is equipped with one of Audemars Piguet’s latest multi-complication movements—the Calibre 4407 featuring a flyback chronograph with split-seconds, GMT, and a large date display.
The watch is substantially sized, measuring 43mm across and 17.4mm in height. Its heft is complemented by a futuristic and technical appearance, from the two-tone blue-and-black hues that sheath the case, dial, and strap, to the open-worked dial that grants a peek at its mechanism underneath. For extra style mileage, the watch features an interchangeable strap system, which lets one easily switch to a second black-and-blue rubber strap that comes included with the watch.
“CFT carbon is a testament to our teams’ expertise and to the endless quest for innovation. It also opens up new creative horizons, promising many surprises in the years to come,” says Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet. Indeed, the Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date marks only the beginning of even more far-out, CFT-crafted watches to come from Audemars Piguet.
