fter an absence of eight years, forged carbon is making its grand return at Audemars Piguet in the new Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date model. The new CFT carbon, which combines lightness with resistance to shocks, heat and humidity, was developed in-house by the company’s R&D teams over a period of five years. Its manufacturing process is now protected by a patent.

Unlike previous generations of carbon, Audemars Piguet’s Chroma Forged Technology (CFT) makes it possible to colour the carbon fibres directly, rather than colouring the resin, and arrange them as desired in the component opening up new creative possibilities. Its lower resin content compared to traditional forged carbon makes it less susceptible to scratches. 

The ultra-light forged carbon case middle of this new Royal Oak Concept, which features blue luminescent pigments, is complemented by a black ceramic bezel, crown, push-pieces and caseback. The two-tone timepiece is enhanced by a dark architectural dial with electric blue accents.

The manufacturing process involves numerous steps and great expertise. As the blending stages are carried out by hand, each case middle produced has slight variations in its patterning, making it a unique piece that seamlessly combines cutting-edge technology and the expertise of the Le Brassus artisans. 

Designed like the bridge of a movement, the openworked dial is the result of very precise machining. Circular apertures have been cut into a single sandblasted nickel silver plate, finished with black PVD and decorated with diamond-polished rhodium-toned bevels, to reveal part of the micro-mechanics ticking within. The two-tone design adds depth and plays of light to this edgy timepiece, which is further emphasised by the absence of a logo on the dial.

This timepiece houses the self-winding Calibre 4407, a feat of mechanical and industrial engineering that combines flyback chronograph, split-seconds, GMT and a large date. Launched in 2023, it is based on the Manufacture’s latest-generation integrated flyback chronograph, Calibre 4401, released in 2019 in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. Despite its horological complexity, this movement has been designed to marry ergonomics and simplicity of use. 

Price on request

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