The purity and craftsmanship of the reproduction model

Thorough verification of the perfection of this outstanding machine

Looking at the masterpieces that have appeared in recent years, many concepts such as reproduction, retro, and anniversary are noticeable. What they all have in common is a sense of authenticity rooted in the company's archives. If we group these together as "reproduction models" and examine them closely, we notice that they incorporate surprisingly unrestrained techniques without defining a "clear original." So what determines the "purity" that a reproduction model should have?

Audemars Piguet "Royal Oak"

A pure "reproduction model" that has evolved over 40 years
The Royal Oak is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Ref. 15202ST, a renowned "reissue model," has been given a facelift that closely resembles the original design. However, even this acclaimed reissue doesn't faithfully follow the lines of the original. So what is it that makes this model such a masterpiece?

Its distinctive profile is created by sharp edges. However, compared to the first generation, the case itself and the bezel are slightly thicker. Perhaps because it is made transparent while maintaining its two-piece structure, the curvature is gentler, highlighting the linear design.

The design of the case back particularly emphasizes the thinness of the case. The clearance between the crystal and the dial is extremely small, and the case back is intentionally polished. The three-dimensional hands and bar indexes are made of 18K white gold. The logo font is the current one.

　In the publishing world, reproduction means "recreating a plate" that is faithful to the original. In the case of watches, it means creating a new mold. If we look at this the other way around, we arrive at the conclusion that it is never possible to create something identical to the original. This article aims to explore the level of perfection from the perspective of "purity" in "reproduction models," which have produced many excellent works, and similar designs. I specifically quoted the literal meaning because I wanted to make it clear that even if we were able to create a mold that is exactly like the original, it would not be considered the ultimate goal. So what is a highly pure reproduction model? We can leave that conclusion for now.

　The Royal Oak, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is a self-proclaimed reproduction model, a "genuine replica," and because of its high level of perfection, many see the shadow of the original behind it. In other words, there is no doubt that high perfection equals high reproduction. However, its direct lineage goes back to the 1990 "15002ST," which had its shape modified, and through the 92 "Jubilee (14802ST)," it leads to the current "15202ST." What I want to emphasize is that, despite the fact that the details themselves have changed over time, it feels as if the original is still there.

　The dial of the 40th anniversary Royal Oak has been revised to stay faithful to the original. The tapestry pattern and the placement of the indexes have returned to the original design for the first time in a long time. On the other hand, a three-fold buckle has been adopted for the first time to improve the wearing comfort. However, we can confidently say that no enthusiast will feel that this has "diminished the purity." It is this subtlety that will serve as a guidepost for measuring the purity of future reproduction models. (Suzuki Hiroyuki: This magazine)

The three-fold buckle is a new addition to the 40th anniversary reissue model. It is made with high precision, and the logo is laser-etched. This greatly improves stability when worn.