Audemars Piguet Creates the Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Only Watch for Only Watch

Audemars Piguet has announced the Royal Oak 15202 "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Only Watch, created for the charity auction "Only Watch" to be held in November this year. This unique piece combines a titanium case and bracelet with a gray dial.

A new interpretation of the one-of-a-kind Ref. 15202

　Audemars Piguet has created a unique piece, the Royal Oak 15202 "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Only Watch, for Only Watch, a charity auction organized by the Monegasque Association for Muscular Dystrophy, scheduled to take place in November of this year. Proceeds from the auction will be used to support research into a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is said to affect approximately one in 3500 people.

　This one-of-a-kind piece will be the last Ref. 15202 equipped with the Cal. 2121, a movement first used in the Royal Oak released in 1972. Both the long-standing reference number "15202" and the Cal. 2121 will cease production at the end of 2021, with the baton being passed on to the next generation of models.

　The gray dial, a continuation of the "Petite Tapisserie" dial from the Royal Oak 5402A from 1972, is now available. The Audemars Piguet logo, the "Automatic" indicator, and the AP monogram at 6 o'clock all retain the same font and layout as those introduced on the 5402A. Additionally, the Swiss inscription at 6 o'clock also remains faithful to the style of the original model.

First use of "bulk metallic glass"

　The case and bracelet links are made of titanium, making the watch extremely lightweight, and feature a sandblasted matte finish. This is the brand's first attempt at sandblasting a titanium bracelet.

　Of particular note is the use of bulk metallic glass, a Pd (palladium)-based alloy, for the studs connecting the iconic octagonal bezel, case back, and bracelet. This material, used in the field of microelectronics, takes on glass-like properties when rapidly cooled, and is characterized by its high hardness and corrosion resistance.

　Bulk metallic glass, rarely used in watch exteriors, is hand-finished to a mirror finish, reflecting light in stark contrast to the matte titanium. The powerful contrast between polishing and sandblasting is only found in this unique piece.

　Commenting on Audemars Piguet's participation in Only Watch, François-Henri Bennahmias, CEO, said:

"We are proud to be part of the Only Watch family again in 2021, supporting advanced scientific and medical research. We hope that this watch will inspire those who share Audemars Piguet's story and bid to support research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy."

The Royal Oak 15202 "Jumbo" Extra-Thin Only Watch marks the end of an era, but also points the way to the next generation of Royal Oak, which will be released in 2022, marking the 50th anniversary of the model.