Audemars Piguet launches Royal Oak concept double-second chronograph (GMT), equipped with luminous carbon fiber case



Audemars Piguet launches the new 43mm Royal Oak Concept Double Second Hand Chasing Chronograph GMT Large Date 26650FO, the first time using a new color forged carbon material.


Similar to the Cyrus Klepcys DICE Lime Carbon watch launched in 2023, its carbon fiber bezel glows in low-light conditions. Audemars Piguet's Chroma Forged Technology (CFT) technology is a non-porous carbon fiber with blue luminescent pigment. This ultralight material is applied to the middle of the case and is paired with a black ceramic bezel, crown, buttons and bottom cover.

Audemars Piguet's CFT technology can directly color carbon fiber without the need for resin, thus bringing new design possibilities. The resin content of CFT is lower than that of traditional forged carbon fibers, so it is more scratch-resistant.

The process first cuts the carbon fiber into small pieces and then colors it with pigment. These colored pieces are placed in a mold containing resin. The multi-layer structure is constructed by hand.

The mold is then compressed to remove bubbles and cured in the autoclave for about ten hours to form solid carbon blocks. After that, the carbon blocks need to be machined for six to eight hours and finally formed into the final part. Since the mixing process is done manually, each case presents a unique pattern.

The case measures 43mm x 17.4mm and is waterproof up to 50m/165ft, slightly curved to fit the curve of the wrist. The button protection devices at 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock and 9 o'clock are made of titanium, echoing the components of the hollow dial.

The hollow dial shows some mechanical devices, with circular apertures cut on a single sandblasted nickel silver plate, treated with a black PVD coating and decorated with diamond-polished rhodium bevels.

To keep pace with the blue highlights in the middle of the case, the inner ring and the outer area of ​​the three counters are in an electric blue tone, contrasting with the grey and black tones of the movement while enhancing readability.

Platinum hour markers and pointers are filled with luminous materials and will emit blue light in low-light environments.

The GMT day and night display at 3 o'clock can be adjusted using the crown's coaxial button (press once to move for one hour).

The 2 and 4 o'clock buttons are used to start, stop and reset the chronograph. The flyback feature allows the wearer to reset and restart the chronograph without having to stop the chronograph first like a normal chronograph.

The dual-second needle chassis device can measure the intermediate time interval, thanks to the newly added dual-second needle chassis. When the dedicated button at 9 o'clock is pressed, the double second chasing hand can stop independently of the chronograph pointer. When the button is pressed again, the double second chasing needle will catch up with the running pointer.

The back of the watch shows the 4407 automatic movement (launched in 2023, model 26650TI), and its advanced needle-chasing chronograph is embedded in the ball bearings of the platinum rotor to reduce the movement thickness. The movement vibration frequency is 4 Hz (28,800 times per hour) and the power reserve is 70 hours.

This watch comes with an all-in-one blue rubber strap. The watch is equipped with the replaceable strap system of the 43mm Royal Oak Concept Series watch launched in 2023, which can be paired with a blue rubber strap and another black and blue rubber strap.