Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Carbon Concept Tourbillon Merges Traditional And Futuristic Horology

For 2008, Audemars Piguet has encored their many fine performances in dynamic haute horlogerie, by giving us the Royal Oak Carbon Concept Tourbillon watch. Studying this watch, and comprehending its many intricate details, one can get a sense of just how much Audemars Piguet has extracted from the full breadth of its rich history. It also demonstrates that the prestigious brand from Le Brassus, Switzerland continues to drive forward boldly, unafraid to make statements that will provoke reactions.

As a point, consider the distinctive selector function, which traces its heritage back to Audemars Piguet’s massive Royal Oak Concept piece from six years back. The use of groundbreaking movement materials, such as carbon and eloxed aluminum can be seen in AP’s recent Millenary MC12 Tourbillon watch. Forged carbon for case and movement bridges illustrates Audemars Piguet’s obsession with 21st century horological techniques, and continues the accomplishments of last year’s eye-opening Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph watch.

The many horological features of the Royal Oak Carbon Concept Tourbillon Chronograph Watch are dizzying, when confronted for the first time – most fascinating to me is probably the extremely cool chronograph minute counter with its two vertical readouts. Super neat! This timepiece really is a dazzling conglomerate of the traditional (for example, the tourbillon) and the ultra-modern (space age materials and futuristic design priorities). Then again, the merger of traditional haute horlogerie with a devil-may-care sense of technical creativity and expression is something of a brand signature for Audemars Piguet. In this sense, AP may considered the most rebellious member of the famous “Big Three” (that is, the famous watchmaking trio that also includes Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin).