Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 34, 37 and 38 mm with blue smoked dial and diamonds

The more compact version of the Royal Oak Automatic comes with a new blue gradient dial and infused light thanks to the baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel and dial.

No Royal Oak fan can forget last year's 50th anniversary celebration, which also saw some design tweaks to the 34, 37, 38 and 41mm automatic Royal Oak reference models. The party will continue in 2023 with three smaller versions of the white gold Royal Oak featuring a new smoky blue Grand Tapisserie dial and the sparkle of baguette-set diamonds on the bezel and dial. Audemars Piguet's glamorous makeover is the 34mm and 37mm self-winding self-winding models and the 38mm version of the RO self-winding chronograph.

A design update for 2022 on several Royal Oak Automatic models, by enlarging the polished bevels on the top and bottom of the case, enhancing the light and shadow effects and contrasting with the satin-brushed hand-finished finish on the rest of the case . Another benefit of the facelift is the watch's slimmer silhouette, which extends to the integrated bracelet, which now has trapezoidal links closest to the case to create a more slender silhouette. Additionally, the links are thinner and lighter, adding to the overall comfort of the watch.

Royal Oak Automatic 34mm and 37mm
To cater to smaller wrist sizes, the Royal Oak has introduced new 34 and 37mm case sizes. The 34mm size was launched in 2020 and the 37mm in 2012 to coincide with the Royal Oak's 40th anniversary (there is also a smaller 33mm case size, but with a quartz movement).

The new Royal Oak Automatic 34mm and 37mm models come in a luxurious 18k white gold case that reflects a design update for 2022, featuring a signature octagonal bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds. As the brand notes, this diamond setting marks a first for the 34mm model. The diamonds are arranged in groups of four to accommodate the eight mandatory hex screws integral to the Royal Oak’s personality, giving the polished bezel even more brilliance.

On the dial side, there are also 12 baguette-cut diamonds forming the hour markers (two diamonds at noon), set on the classic Grande Tapisserie guilloché dial, now in smoked blue or gradation. The gradation effect obtained by physical vapor deposition is achieved by spraying colored varnishes on the periphery while the dial rotates, creating darker shades in the center and darker colors at the edges. The new Audemars Piguet gold signature launched last year is the result of electric current growth, and each letter is fixed on the dial by hand. For improved legibility in low light conditions, the white gold hands are coated with luminescent coating. As with all updated Royal Oak models, the date window is the same color as the dial.

The 34mm Royal Oak Automatic is powered by an automatic caliber 5800 beating at 4 Hz and has a power reserve of 50 hours; the 37mm model relies on an automatic caliber 5900 with the same frequency but a slightly higher 60-hour power reserve. Vaucher produces both calibers. Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève, 22k rose gold oscillating weight with sandblasted areas, satin finish and polished chamfers.

Tips: Royal Oak Selfwinding 34mm ref. 7451BC​​.ZZ.1261BC.01 / ref. 15551BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 37mm – 18k White Gold Case 34mm x 8.8mm and 37mm x 9.4mm – Polished and Brushed Finishes – 32 Baguette Cut Diamonds Set on Bezel – Anti-glare Sapphire Crystal Front and Back – 50 water resistance - smoke blue dial with Grand Tapisserie pattern - 12 baguette-cut diamond hour markers - white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescence - tone-on-tone date window at 3 o'clock - automatic caliber 5800 (34mm) and caliber 5900 (37mm) by Vaucher - 4 Hz - 50h power reserve 34mm - 60h power reserve 37mm - 18k white gold bracelet with AP folding clasp.

Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph 38MM
This 38mm reference model is the most compact Royal Oak chronograph in production. A reasonable height of 11mm, the 18k white gold case reflects the 2022 update. However, unlike the larger 41mm reference, this model does not feature the new in-house chronograph movement caliber 4401, instead relying on an integrated automatic column wheel Frederic Piguet movement.

The dark blue Grand Tapisserie dial sparkles with 32 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel in a captivating gradient effect. Contrasting white gold luminescent hands and baguette-cut diamond hour markers contribute to legibility. The three snailed dials are framed in white gold and decorated with white inscriptions.

Hidden within a solid white gold caseback is the automatic Caliber 2385, clocked at 3Hz and with a power reserve of 40 hours.

Quick Facts: Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph 38mm ref. 26715BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 – 38mm x 11mm – 18k white gold case, polished and brushed – 32 baguette-cut diamonds set on bezel – anti-glare sapphire Crystal Front and Back – 50m Water Resistance – Gradient Blue Dial Motif with Grand Tapisserie – Baguette Cut Diamond Hour Markers – White Gold Royal Oak Hands with Luminescence – Blue Snailed Counters – Tonal Date Window at 4:30 – Piguet 2385 Automatic Integrated Column Wheel Chronograph Movement – 3Hz – 40h Power Reserve – 18k White Gold Bracelet with AP Foldover Clasp.