To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo,’ Audemars Piguet dropped the new watches on January 26, 2022. With a completely new automated in-house calibre, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ 50th Anniversary ref. 16202 replaces the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin reference 15202. The iconic calibre 2121, which had been employed in the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ for 50 years, has been replaced by the new calibre 7121.
The case proportions of the new reference 16202 are identical to those of its predecessor, reference 15202. The case diameter and thickness remain at 39 mm and 8.1 mm, respectively. The 16202 is thicker than the original Royal Oak Jumbo 5402 from 1972, which had a distinctive monoblock case design, making it even slimmer and sleeker. It is fitted with a sapphire crystal display case back, exactly as the preceding Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 15202.
The new automatic calibre 7121 is somewhat thicker at 3.2 mm than the calibre 2121, which was just 3.05 mm thick. This new automatic movement, in addition to having a completely new architecture and aesthetics, has a 50-hour power reserve owing to its bigger mainspring barrel.
Finally, the calibre 7121 has an unique anniversary oscillating weight made of 22K gold that matches the case color. The “50 years” emblem and the engraved Audemars Piguet signature are featured on this commemorative open-worked oscillating weight. The oscillating weight, like the case, is finished with a combination of satin-finishing and polished chamfers. Throughout 2022, the “50 years” oscillating weight will be installed on Royal Oak anniversary versions.
The stainless steel model reference 16202ST.OO.1240ST.01
For this model, Stern Frères, a Geneva-based dial builder, created the Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 hue for the dial. Each dial was immersed in a galvanic bath to get the blue tint. To provide a more uniform color across the board, the Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 hue is now created internally using PVD.
This new “Jumbo” model, like the Royal Oak from 1972, features the classic baignoire shaped hour-markers and hands, which allow the luminous material to be poured in for maximum readability. The polished gold applied AP monogram at 6 o’clock has been kept, as has the printed “AUDEMARS PIGUET AUTOMATIC” remark at 12 o’clock. The “SWISS MADE” indicator, which took over from “SWISS” in the mid-1980s, is still at 6 o’clock, with the words SWISS and MADE on either side of the hour-marker to keep the dial balanced.
The 18K pink gold and 18K yellow gold models references 16202OR.OO.1240OR.01 and 16202BA.OO.1240BA.01
The signature Petite Tapisserie dial is now available in new smoked tints on both models. The 18K pink gold variant features smoked grey tones, while the 18K yellow gold version features smoked yellow-gold tones.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ 50th Anniversary in platinum reference 16202PT.OO.1240PT.01
This model comes with smoked green dial, whose base is adorned with a sunburst design, contrasted with the hand-finished 950 platinum case and bracelet. The ‘Iconic Timepiece Prize’ was given to this auspicious combination, which was launched last year, at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in November 2021. Drops of green coloring were added to the dial’s protective lacquer to give it a vibrant green hue. The smoked effect on the dial’s perimeter heightens the intensity of the color while also adding depth.
Following the introduction of yellow and white gold, platinum made its debut in the Royal Oak line in the 1980s. The first platinum Royal Oak “Jumbo” limited edition was released in 1992 to commemorate the timepiece’s 20th anniversary as well as the founding of the Audemars Piguet Foundation.
The one-of-a-kind 39 mm Royal Oak Foundation clock featured a dial with a yellow gold modeled oak tree rendered by an engraving machine, echoing the Foundation’s objective to conserve forests across the world. Other platinum limited editions followed, including a 20-piece platinum limited edition of the 39 mm Royal Oak Jubilee introduced in 1995.
So, there are the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ 50th Anniversary models. Keep your eyes on our Instagram if you don’t want to miss it. Meanwhile, discover our Audemars Piguet collection only at The Time Place boutique.
