The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold was originally introduced at SIHH 2017 in 33m and 37mm, white and rose gold cases and while many considered the case proportions to be better suited for women, I was recalling the original Royal Oak watches launched by Audemars Piguet at the then Swiss Watch Show (eventually rebranded Baselworld) in 1972 and those were 39mm in diameter. Thus, harbouring daydreams that a 37mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold might suffice on the wrist, I was determined to make do with the more gentlemanly proportions and then came the new 41mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold.

Men’s 41mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold

Following the success of the women’s Royal Oak Frosted Gold model, Audemars Piguet returns, officially this time (because CEO Benhamias was wearing a prototype 41mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold for men when he was conducting presentations of the smaller women’s Frosted Gold editions), in a new Limited Edition run of 200 pieces. The men’s 41mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold boasts the same elegant features which made the smaller Frosted Gold Royal Oak such a mega hit:18-carat white gold case and bracelet, gorgeous blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial and the iconic Royal Oak hands which light the face of the Frosted Gold Royal Oak a glow in the twilight hours.

The appearance of frosted gold can be achieved through galvanic techniques as in the case of the baseplate in Max Busser’s latest (and last) MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement but on the dazzling Royal Oak Frosted Gold collection, Audemars Piguet works in collaboration with jewellery designer Carolina Bucci. Here, Bucci applies her heritage artisanal hammering technique to the new Men’s 41mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold. Known as the Florentine Finish, this ancient technique was used to create a textured surface decoration on precious metal accessories and jewellery by beating the gold with a diamond tipped tool and creating an all encompassing tapestry of glittering surfaces through countless tiny indentations, giving rise to a shimmering effect similar to that of diamond dust. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold simply dazzles as it catches glints of light, however faint.

It should not go unsaid, that the larger 41mm diameter also implies that the painstaking work is exponentially harder due to the increased surfaces across the signature gradating bracelet architecture and its connecting links – there is literally more surface area to hammer and while keeping in mind that the polished and satin finished surfaces need to be considered as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is transformed into a Frosted Gold edition.

While the original 33mm and 37mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold were available in a choice of white gold and yellow gold with silvery dial,  the new 41mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold comes in white gold only with blue tapisserie dial. Beneath its shimmering visage, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold 41mm is powered by the manufacture 3120 with 60 hours power reserve.

Men’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold 41mm Price and Specs

Movement Automatic winding calibre 3120 with 60 hours power reserve
Case 41mm white gold case in Florentine Finish wit 50 metre water resistance
Strap Florentine Finished white gold integrated bracelet
Price US$55,000 in limited edition of 200 pieces

There’s more… Introducing the Audemars Piguet Cufflinks Family

Accompanying the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold 41mm are an accessories collection of six new pairs of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak cufflinks – three in stainless steel with either blue, black or silver “Tapisserie” pattern in the center. Two in pink gold with blue or black “tapisserie” in the center and last but not least, one in yellow gold with a blue “Tapisserie” pattern in the centre – all the Audemars Piguet Cufflinks feature the signature hallmarks of the Royal Oak watch – the distinctive hexagonal screws and the unmistakable octagonal shape.