Lot #2555
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD3 26670ST.OO.1240ST.01
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Introduction
Launched in 2022 to celebrate the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, the Royal Oak Tourbillon RD#3 is a strikingly gorgeous and equally complex watch. Designed to look like the original Royal Oak ref. 5402, it features a 39mm stainless steel construction that stands just 8.1mm thick, a relatively minimal 1.1mm increase to thickness over the original Royal Oak ref. 5402. Combined with the Royal Oak’s octagonal bezel, unguarded octagonal crown, integrated bracelet, and beautiful Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 PVD ‘Petite Tapisserie’ dial, the RD#3 is a wonderful celebration of the Royal Oak’s original 'Jumbo' design – a particularly fitting release for the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary. Instead of redesigning the Royal Oak to accommodate a tourbillon, AP decided to design a new automatic flying tourbillon movement from the ground up to maintain the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’s’ iconic extra-thin profile. This movement, the automatic cal. 2968, features a skeletonised commemorative 50th-anniversary rotor and an expertly finished architecture built upon a rhodium-plated 22kt pink gold base. By standing so close to the original Royal Oak’s design, Audemars Piguet have showcased precisely how important the Royal Oak is to them.
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Grade
M 9.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and Papers
Est. value range
$150,000 – $200,000
The Details
Brand
Audemars Piguet
Dimensions
39mm x 8.1mm
Model
Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD3
Movement
Automatic cal. 2968
Reference
26670ST.OO.1240ST.01
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Year
2023
Condition
Like-New
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, box and papers
Dial Color
Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 blue
THE DIAL
Sporting a beautiful Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 PVD ‘Petite Tapisserie’ dial, the RD#3's display is almost exactly like an original Royal Oak ref. 5042, except for the fact it has a large flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Staying as true to the ref. 5402's original dimensions as possible, the RD#3 features a 39mm diameter case that is just 8.1mm tall case; a marginal 1.1mm increase over the ref. 5402's dimensions, which means this watch wears almost exactly like its vintage inspiration.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in like new condition, with little to no signs of use. Bracelet was previously sized and one link was removed. It is included in the box.
Our Perspective
The RD3 is in my eyes one of the best watches released in recent years. Truly worth the "RD" name, AP managed to fit an entirely new self-winding tourbillon movement into a case merely 1.1mm thicker than the standard jumbo case.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
