Beijing Visitor Guide

These 44mm Royal Oak Openworked models, created between 2007 and 2010, bring together the three refined horological complications that have defined the Grande Complication since the Manufacture's inception: the minute repeater, the perpetual calendar and the split-seconds chronograph. Its movement, calibre 2885, contains 648 components, all decorated and assembled by a single watchmaker - a meticulous process stretching over 8 months. 

Approximately 10 Grandes Complications are crafted at Audemars Piguet's workbenches per year, making them rare finds on the market today. "These four iconic models represent the very first Royal Oak Grande Complication Openworked wristwatches and are accordingly engraved "N°1" on each caseback. It was a pleasure and honour for the watchmakers to rediscover and service these timeless masterpieces."

Michael Friedman Head of Complications The complicated openworked mechanism is given pride of place and made visible through the sapphire dial and caseback. Openworking has been an Audemars Piguet speciality since the 1930s. Highly trained experts create the movement by starting with the end design and working backwards. 

It is an art that demands horological mastery and profound knowledge of materials and finishing techniques to balance aesthetics and function. These Grande Complication watches are each enriched with a different hand-finished case in stainless steel or in 18-carat yellow, pink or white gold. 

The refined alternation of satin-brushed and polished surfaces accentuates the architecture of the Royal Oak case. A hand-stitched large square-scale alligator strap in brown hues or black adds the final touch. 

 To complement these rare Grandes Complications, TIME COUNTS also presents a highly coveted stainless steel 39mm Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin, reminiscent of the original Royal Oak model designed by Gérald Genta which overturned prevailing codes in 1972. The current watch has retained the main original features including the octagonal bezel brazenly secured to the case with eight visible hexagonal screws, the faceted integrated bracelet with links descending in size and the blue "Petite Tapisserie" guilloché dial. The watch's elegant body of hand-finished steel presents the Audemars Piguet's trademark alternation of polished and satin-brushed surfaces. 

The Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin is powered by the iconic Manufacture movement, calibre 2121—the thinnest selfwinding movement with date indication of its time, released in 1970. However, contrary to the original model, this watch is endowed with a sapphire caseback that reveals part of the mechanism and the dedicated oscillating weight in 22-carat gold. The caseback is also engraved with the signature of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. 

"We are proud to see that four of our Royal Oak Grandes Complications and one of our Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin will benefit the One Drop and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundations to help make a positive long-term impact worldwide. Access to safe water and environmental preservation are causes close to our heart and complementary to the work of the Audemars Piguet Foundation. It is important to take action together to assist the most vulnerable, even more so in this time of global crisis." François-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer "Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world."