Three new versions are added to the Millenary set at SIHH following month, with smaller cases and much more sparkle than ever before. The Millenary is among three collections from Audemars Piguet that contain ladies’ watches, but essentially, it’s the most female-centric of their complete collections within the brand. The Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore both have women’ versions, but they began as, and therefore are known mainly as men’s collections. The jewelry sets are limited-edition one-offs, not made for everyday wear or pocketbooks. Gem-setting is a specific strength of the collection identifying the watches from the sportier Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore women’ pieces. At the same time, a partly openworked dial provides the Millenary a specialized aspect — a reminder that it comes from one of the foremost makers of mechanical movements. The Millenary, last upgraded in 2015, will be refreshed with three new models at SIHH next month in Geneva, including two all-gold models set with diamonds and one gold case version using a strap.The instance on the ring version has a “frosted gold” finish that gives it the look of hand-finished jewelry. It is made by employing a diamond-tipped instrument to make tiny indentations across the surface, culminating in a shimmering sparkle, like snow. The end was released last year on the ladies’ Royal Oak. On the Millenary, it’s applied between polished segments on the stepped bezel and lugs, and to areas of the case side. The signature offset sub-dials that record hours, minutes, and seconds are all set with a fresh dial material for this group. Audemars Piguet additionally adds a fashion watch element to the strap version.

Last year Audemars Piguet unveiled a slew of Royal Oak watches in yellow gold, with a notable omission, the Royal Oak Extra-Thin “Jumbo”. As the Royal Oak marks the 40th anniversary of the first yellow gold model of 1977, that has now been rectified with a pair that will make their debut at SIHH 2017.

The new Royal Oak Extra-Thin watches in 18k yellow gold join the 50-piece limited edition made for Singapore retailer The Hour Glass last year, with both the case and bracelet in yellow gold.

The Royal Oak “Jumbo” for The Hour Glass with a dark green dial

While the version for The Hour Glass had a green dial, the two new additions to the collection are in dark blue and yellow gold respectively. Both dials are finished in the traditional style of the Royal Oak, decorated with Petite Tapisserie guilloche and featuring yellow gold applied markers and hands.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Yellow Gold 3

The case diameter is 39mm, the exact same diameter as the 1977 original “Jumbo”, though the sapphire display back means the modern iteration is slightly thicker than the solid back original.

But the movement inside remains the 2121, the slim, self-winding calibre originally developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre but now made by Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Yellow Gold 1

Price and availability 

The Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold with a blue dial is the ref. 15202BA.OO.1240BA.01, while the same with a matching yellow gold dial is the ref. 15202BA.OO.1240BA.02. Both are priced at US$55,400.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Yellow Gold 4