The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has to be one of the best luxury watches on the market today. The Perpetual Calendar model takes it another step further, and now with a full blue ceramic look, makes it one of the best and most interesting Royal Oak timepieces in Audemars Piguet’s line-up.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic features all the details of what makes a Royal Oak so appealing. The iconic grade tapisserie dial, integrated bracelet, the eight hexagonal symmetrical screws on the bezel, the octagonal bezel shape, and the overall thin profile of the watch. Add to this the perpetual calendar movement features and this makes it a highly sought-after timepiece. Now, with the whole watch being donned in blue ceramic, it makes for a stand-out piece like no other. It’s not a dull blue either (if there is even a thing), the blue is a rich mixture of royal blue and midnight blue. A scratch-proof watch that can be easily noticed from the other side of the room.

This isn’t the first time that Audemars Piguet has released a ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Back in 2019, the Swiss brand unveiled a white ceramic Royal Oak PC, which unlike this blue ceramic edition was a bit more understated. Still a standout piece and one that proved to be very popular for the brand, but not quite the same level of “attention-grabbing”.

This timepiece exudes luxury, and tradition and reflects the height of the Royal Oak Anniversary in 2022 when the model was released. Simply put, the watch has it all. The ceramic material that is hard to work with is now being used for the full watch, with high complications with the perpetual calendar movement combined with the iconic design that is the Royal Oak. It’s no wonder then that a handful of celebrities have gotten their hands on this piece and are rocking it proudly. Below are some of the celebrities seen rocking this piece, ranging from footballers, actors to singers.

Kevin Hart

Lebron James

Crown Prince of Ajman

Ed Sheeran

Steven Zhang (Chairman of Inter Milan Football Club)

Shah Rukh Khan

Virgil Van Dijk

François-Henry Bennahmias (CEO of Audemars Piguet)

Rolls Royce has just showcased their latest Coachbuild model overnight, the La Rose Noire Droptail. Whilst only 4 Droptails will be built, this is the first one commissioned by a very discerning and wealthy couple, call La Rose Noire, named after the Black Baccara Rose.

Needless to say, the price on this will be astronomical, and some suggestions are upwards of AUD $40M. The car is spectacular to say the least, and Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce’s Head of Coachbuild Design explains that every detail on this car has been done to exacting standards – both that of the couple who commissioned the car, and the designers and builders at Rolls-Royce.

Included as a part of this unique build, is an Audemar’s Piguet Concept Split Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date inserted into the facia panel of the car itself. Rolls-Royce worked with Audemar’s Piguet to produce this piece specifically for the car and it’s owners. Not only is this in the fascia panel, but the clients also requested that the watch had to be wearable, and therefore be able to be removed from the car.

The 43mm Royal Oak Spilt Second Chronograph GMT has been designed to fit perfectly into a clasp that retracts back into the panel when the owners are not wearing it. The Rolls-Royce Coachbuild team worked with Audemars Piguet to colour match the piece as well, ensuring that the very specific red called “True Love”, was incorporated into the timepiece, so when it’s inserted into the fascia, it blends seamlessly with the aesthetic of the car.

The Split Second Chronograph GMT is one of Audemars Piguet Grand Complications, and whilst this particular version is a 43mm piece, developed specifically for the 4 Coachbuild Rolls-Royce Droptails, Audemars Piguet produces a version of this complication in two of it’s exclusive variants. A white ceramic and a black ceramic, both 44mm is size, and both pieces reserved for VIP AP customers, the white being a piece unique.

When the watch is being worn, the cradle has an engraving of the Black Baccara rose, the flower that the La Rose Noire Droptail gets it name and colour from, so the spot in no way looks empty. Another nice touch from Rolls-Royce, but would you expect anything less from them?

Whilst we report on all things watches, we still love our cars, so it would be remiss of us to not mention a few of the mind blowing facts about the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail.

• The name La Rose Noire comes from the Black Baccara rose, which is only found in France and was loved by the Mother of the commissioning couple. It has a very unique black and red colour to it’s petals, which is reflected in the car itself.

• So unique is the colour, it took the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild team 150 iterations to create the exact colour specified by the commissioning clients.
• The parquetry woodwork in the car was designed as per the wishes of the client, or as Alex Innes describes it: “The Simple request of the client was to create the impression of floating roses, as if they had been scattered across the interior by hand” This simple request was met and the result is a stunning piece with “True Love” red triangles interspersed into the wood to represent rose petals in a modern form.

• This parquetry comprises of 1603 individual pieces, and is the result of 3 years in design, development and craftsmanship that you see in the final piece in the car.
• Whilst Rolls-Royce doesn’t disclose the price, or what the client’s paid for a car such as La Rose Noire, some have reported it to by upwards of $32M USD, or £25M. However, given this is a completely commissioned build,

For more details, images and descriptions of the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire, head to Rolls-Roycemotorcars.com

The Melbourne-born actor had his first big break by featuring in the Australian hit tv show “Home and Away” but his big breakout role came with Thor. Chris Hemsworth has also featured in films outside of Thor, with roles in “Snow White and the Huntsman”, “Rush”, “In the Heart of the Sea”, “Ghostbusters” (2016), “Extraction 1 & 2” and “Men in Black – International”. Hemsworth’s charismatic performance and natural charm have made him a fan favorite on and off the screen.

Chris Hemsworth is not only known for his acting skills but also for his dedication to portraying the given role, sometimes undergoing rigorous physical training. The impressive physique he built for Thor along with his acting skills has solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s leading actors, all the while earning a significant fanbase worldwide.

Off-screen Chris Hemsworth is known for his philanthropic efforts and advocacy for environmental conservation, using his massive following to raise awareness about climate change and wildlife preservation. One of Hemsworth’s hobbies offscreen is his love for luxury timepieces. The actor has quite a taste, with pieces ranging from Audemars Piguet, Rolex to Bvlgari. Below we’ve showcased the pieces that he’s been spotting wearing, whether it’s on set, on the red carpet, or just out with family and friends. Just like his Mjölnir in Thor, Chris Hemsworth knows how to swing beautiful timepieces in real life.

1. Rolex Day-Date Platinum 228236

2. Rolex Submariner 126618LN

3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked black ceramic.

4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 26420RO

5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 26331OR

6. Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 102946

7.  TAG Heuer Autavia Jack Heuer Limited Edition

8. TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph CBN2012.FC6483

9. Casio G-Shock GW-9400-3 RANGEMAN

Regardless of the price bracket, purple dial timepieces are certainly not easy to come by. Many brands either opt to stay away from colour or only reserve it for special limited edition runs. Either way you look at it, it seems like a real shame that brands aren’t bringing more of this stunning colour into their collections.

Who knows, maybe purple dials may come back as a trend in the near future, much like the Tiffany blue or “iced blue” dial trends, albeit these two already fall into the category of the more popular coloured dials. Maybe what we need is a high-profile watchmaker to release a purple dial timepiece in a non-limited run to set things off. Until then, however, we present to you seven high-end purple dial timepieces that are available on the market. Keep in mind, some of these models may be limited editions, so if your heart desires one it may be best to look into the second-hand market.

Zenith – DEFY 21 Ultraviolet

Ref. (97.9001.9004/80.R922)

Featuring Zenith’s high-frequency El Primero 21 1/100th of a second chronograph movement, this 44mm matte titanium watch features a beautiful violet skeleton dial. Even though it’s the main plate of the movement that’s purple, it can be still easily be seen by the viewer. To match the dial is a violet and black rubber strap.

This is easily one of our favourite purple dial timepieces. With the skeleton dial, and matte titanium case, it all blends together nicely. And more importantly, looks spectacular on the wrist with that 1/100th of a-second chronograph function!

Australian Recommended Retail Price: $21,100.00

Rolex – Datejust 36mm

Ref. (126234)

This white gold and oystersteel Datejust 36mm comes with an aubergine diamond set dial. The dial features Roman numerals for the hour indices, with the Roman VI and IX set with 24 diamonds. The aubergine dial has a sunray finish, done through brushing techniques that creates grooves that move outwards from the centre of the dial.

The aubergine dial will play with light beautifully thanks to this sunray finish. With the rest of the timepiece finished in either white gold or oystersteel, it allows the aubergine dial to really stand out. The Datejust is finished with its iconic fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet.

Australian Recommended Retail Price: $16,950.00

Hublot – Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Purple Sapphire

Ref. (645.JM.0120.RT)

This list wouldn’t be complete without a sapphire timepiece from Hublot. The Tourbillon Purple Sapphire Big Bang is one up there for being one of Hublot’s most daring timepieces, and it’s available in purple!

The timepiece’s polished purple sapphire crystal stands out as one of the best-looking purple timepieces in this list, complimented nicely by its transparent purple structured lined rubber strap. The Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Purple Sapphire is limited to a run of 50 models.

Australian Recommended Retail Price: $309,000.00

Audemars Piguet – Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding Chronograph

Ref. (26331BC.GG.1224BC.01)

A purple dial timepiece in Audemars Piguet’s lineup is no common sight, however, the model they currently have is a stunner to say the least. Featuring a plum purple sunray finish dial with Audemars Piguet’s iconic “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, the purple stands out beautifully especially with the white gold hour indices and counters.

If this wasn’t enough, the whole timepiece (case & bracelet) is done in 18k white gold with a “hammered” finish, to give the watch a frosted look. Overall just an amazing-looking timepiece. The model is limited to a run of 200 watches.

Did your heart beat faster too just looking at it?

Australian Recommended Retail Price: By Appointment Only

H. Moser & Cie – Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept

Ref. (1343-0212)

If you’re after a purple dial timepiece, just to showcase the purple dial and nothing else, who does it better than H. Moser & Cie? The brand’s Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept is one of their purest collections, showcasing nothing but just the beauty of the dial and the hour, minute and second hands.

And what a beautiful dial it is. This limited edition (20 models) features a Purple Haze fumé dial that one can get lost in quite easily. Pictures don’t do this dial justice. The watch comes in a 40.8mm solid 18-carat white gold case with the brand’s hand-wound HMC 343 calibre movement, that gives out a staggering power reserve of 7 days!

International Recommended Retail Price: CHF 24,000

MB&F – LM101

Ref. (LM101 WG Purple)

In 2021, MB&F released three new editions for their iconic LM101 timepiece. One of these models was the striking purple dial matched with 18k white gold case. The watch itself is a feat of watchmaking engineering, but accompanied by this purple dial it becomes something else entirely.

While, yes, the blue dial LM101 is one beautiful watch, especially that hue of blue, but the purple is just as if not more mesmerising. Like the H.Moser&Cie’s fume dial, you can catch yourself (and quite possibly everyone around you) staring at the beauty that lays on the surface of this watch. The definition of mechanical “Art for your Wrist”.

International Recommended Retail Price: 73‘000 CHF

Czapek – Faubourg De Cracovie Purple Panda

Even though this timepiece is sold out (can be pre-ordered for the next possible run), we thought it should still get a mention due thanks to its artistic purple dial. The Czapek Faubourg De Cracovie comes with a handcrafted Guilloché “Résonance” bombé dial in purple and white, which gives the dial a beautiful artistic look.

The Guilloché “Résonance” bombé pattern also revolves around the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock sub-dials, instead of it being a uniform pattern on the dial. The timepiece is offered in a 41.5mm stainless steel case with the brand’s caliber SXH3 movement sitting inside.

International Recommended Retail Price: 32‘000 CHF

This Spider-Man edition highlights Audemars Piguet’s desire to forge links with different cultural universes by seeking inspiration from beyond the world of Haute Horlogerie and referencing the world of pop culture. The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” is a limited edition model with only 250 models being made. A unique version of this timepiece will be auctioned off to aid the First Book and Ashoka associations, a non-profit organisation that works to empower young people to create change and a positive impact.

The Super Hero pop culture phenomenon, Spider-Man, brings together a large community of fans around the world. Over the years, this Super Hero has appeared in comics, video games, consumer products, and a host of movies that people all around the world love. Now after more than sixty years since Spider-Man’s debut, Audemars Piguet and Marvel have come together to pay tribute to this amazing icon.

Paul Gitter, Executive Vice President, Global Brand Commercialization, Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, states that “We’re thrilled to share our newest collaboration with Audemars Piguet and celebrate a collection of timepieces featuring cultural icon, Spider-Man. This collaboration showcases the evergreen appeal and global impact of the SpiderMan character while also benefitting two incredible non-profit organizations helping to further empower today’s youth.”

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” is presented in a 42mm titanium case which is contrasted nicely with a black ceramic bezel and crown. The watch is made with refined decorations which are faithful to the design codes of Audemars Piguet. The case itself alternates from polished to micro-blasted finishes on the top, while the sides are satin-finished.

The Manufacturer has darkened the dial to aid in not only contrasting the movement but also the silhouette of Spider-Man. The dial is made up of alternating black PVD-coated gold hour markers and Arabic numerals. The hour and minute hands are designed in the same material as the hour indices. Both the hour indices and hands have SuperlumiNova that turns blue in the dark, a reference to the world of Spider-Man.

Spider-Man’s silhouette is a masterful creation. The main architecture of the movement has been reduced to a bare minimum so that while also achieving transparency through the open-worked dial, Spider-Man’s character can appear to be a three-dimensional form that’s suspended in the void.

A reference to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 can almost be seen on the dial of this timepiece. The clocktower scene where Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man) is trying to rescue Gwen with the gears and mechanisms of the clock tower falling behind the Superhero is almost like what’s shown on this dial!

Audemars Piguet explains that to create Spider-Man for the dial, “The silhouette and volume of the character are first cut from a block of white gold using a CNC machine. The Super Hero’s suit is then laser-engraved to obtain the differences in texture that give it its textile appearance. This operation requires complex machine programming and many tests to obtain the desired result. After this step, touch-ups and engraving-related finishings are meticulously done by hand by a single artisan, making each piece unique. The character is ultimately hand-painted to give him his recognizable two-tone aesthetic, contrasting mat red and metallic blue. Extending across the entire thickness of the watch, the Super Hero alone requires no less than 50 hours of work, pushing the limits of the craftsmanship of the artisans in Le Brassus.”

While the red and blue suit Spider-Man has a run of 250 models, a special one-of-a-kind piece called the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” is also being presented. A reference to the “venom-infused Spider-Man” or “Dark Spider-Man”. this unique timepiece gets a white gold case that’s decorated with a spider leg motif. The case is the first laser engraved with the spider’s legs, and then filled with luminescent hybrid ceramic. The case is then polished and finely engraved to form a spider’s web in the background. It comes with a contrasting black ceramic bezel. The Spider-Man silhouette is done in all black.

The movement used by Audemars Piguet for this latest creation is the Calibre 2974. This new hand-wound caliber movement was based on the brand’s Calibre 2948 movement and required all the expertise of Audemars Piguet’s engineers, designers, watchmaker, and craftspeople so that the movement can be adjusted to fit the silhouette of the Super Hero and inevitably help the timepiece see the light of day. The movement itself operates at a frequency of 3hz (21, 600 VpH) and can produce a power reserve of 72 hours.

Audemars Piguet has also for the first time equipped their interchangeable strap system on the 42mm Royal Oak Concept case. As standard, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” comes with a black and grey rubber strap, however, a second black and red rubber strap is also offered, which nicely matches the attire of the Super Hero. The one-off “Black Suit Spider-Man” timepiece gets a black rubber and velvet strap with a second choice of black calfskin leather strap with a textile effect.

Chief Executive Officer Audemars Piguet, François-Henry Bennahmias shares his thoughts on this latest collaboration as he states “For this second collaboration with Marvel, we want to pay tribute to Spider-Man, one of the most popular Super Heroes in the Marvel universe, who is aware that with great power comes great responsibility. And, to mark the occasion, we are pleased to reiterate our commitment to First Book and Ashoka’s work to empower young people to become agents of change; they are our real-life heroes.”

This latest unveiling will certainly be talked about in the world of Horology, just as the first “Black Panther Edition” was. In all fairness, we love the design and the level of detail shown on the Super Hero. Who knows, we might even see an Iron Man or Hulk next.

Reference: 26631IO.OO.D002CA.01

Specification

• Case: 42mm
• Case Material: Titanium case, black ceramic bezel, and screw-down crown,
• Dial: Openworked movement, 3D Spider-Man character in hand-painted gold, gold hour-markers and hands with luminescent coating.
• Crystal: Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and case back
• Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
• Movement: Hand-wound Calibre 2974
• Power reserve: 72 h
• Strap: Black and grey rubber strap with interchangeable system and AP folding clasp. Additional black and red rubber strap.

Availability: Limited edition to 250 pieces worldwide

International Recommended Retail Pricing: 315, 200 SGD

Ilaia Resta is a joint Swiss-Italian national who resides near Geneva, Switzerland. She has over 26 years of international experience under her belt leading major divisions of highly respected companies. The most recent company, in which she served as the President, was Global Perfumery & Ingredients at Firmenich. Ms. Resta has also worked at Procter & Gamble for over 20 years, where she had senior roles in the European and US Headquarters, building iconic global brands.

The current long-time CEO François-Henry Bennahmias announced his decision to leave the company back in 2022 after being at Audemars Piguet for the last 30 years. Bennahmias was appointed as interim CEO in 2012 and was officially appointed the title in 2013, which means that he has acted as CEO for Audemars Piguet for 10 years.

During this time, Bennahmias took Audemars Piguet to a new level of luxury watchmaking. He is quoted as saying to WorldTempus in 2013 that “In 2012, Audemars Piguet did a little more than 600 million Swiss francs in revenue and sold between 31 and 32,000 watches.” In 2018, Audemars Piguet reached over CHF 1 billion in sales for the first time, and in 2021, AP sales hit CHF 1.6 billion – placing it ahead of Patek Philippe and making it the fourth-largest watch brand by sales in Switzerland.“

Bennahmias over the last 10 years has had control over which collections are kept and which will be removed. Audemars Piguet over the last few years has removed the Jules Audemars, Edward Piguet, Tradition, and Millenary Collections. Now, as Bennahmias is departing, he leaves behind four collections: Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, Royal Oak Concept and the Code 11.59. Bennahmias will remain until the end of 2023 to provide a seamless transition with Ilaria Resta as the leader of Audemars Piguet.

Alessandro Bogliolo, Chairman of Audemars Piguet states “We are delighted to welcome Ms. Resta as our new Chief Executive Officer. A visionary leader with a passion for craftsmanship, Ilaria will take Audemars Piguet into the future as we continue to develop our brand, blend tradition with innovation, and strengthen our direct connection with clients. Her proven record of delivering results through a clear strategic thinking based on deep consumer insights will keep AP’s legacy relevant for generations to come and ensure long lasting growth.

Ilaria’s belief in the empowerment of teams and her accomplishments as an inspirational leader in corporate sustainability fully align with Audemars Piguet’s long-standing values as an independent family-owned company. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank François for his three decades of service. His transformational leadership has been essential in building the success story AP is today. We are grateful for his indelible contribution and his commitment to stay until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.”

I think Taylor Swift said it well in her song Blank Space, when she sung “I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream”, which is exactly what this scenario is for many of us. A daydream that could be a nightmare for us indecisive watch lovers! This question came up when talking to one of my colleagues a few weeks ago; what would you buy with $100k? The honest answer is, I have no idea, as the options and possibilities are endless!

Is the $100k a watch at retail, or on the grey market? Does it have to be new, or second hand? And when splurging that type of cash on just ONE watch, do you go for a daily wearer, or one that you pull out at special occasions to show off? Now you can see the whole nightmare part of this daydream scenario. Again, thanks TayTay.

Watch Advice is about giving advice, so naturally, for anyone out there that’s blessed to have this first world problem, we have a five great choices for you. And for those just playing along at home and daydreaming about such a scenario, then dream about some of the below pieces gracing your wrist. Maybe one day one of them will!

Just note, all the prices are at retail, as we’re assuming that you can buy at retail new from a store, not the grey market or second hand, and with you’re new found wealth, why not – it is an imaginary scenario after all!

Breguet Classique Hora Mundi 5727

Maybe not a daily wearer, unless you sit in an office all day as a CEO that is. Nonetheless, Breguet are known for their beautiful watch making, and with $100k at your disposal, this is right on the mark! The 18k Gold Hora Mundi 5727 combines instant time-zone jump with synchronised date, 24-hour and city indications, perfect for those wanting to travel and do it in style!

Australian Recommended Retail Price: $100,000

Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin

Piaget is massively underrated in my opinion, and if you’re wanting something different with serious horological chops, then the Piaget Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin is a fantastic statement piece that says “I don’t follow the crowd”. The green dial is stunning, and Piaget pioneered the Ultra Thin movement over 50 years ago, which you can read here. It’s a 42mm case, only 8.65mm thick, and to cram all those complications into a movement that’s only 4mm thick is a work of art and science!

Australian Recommended Retail Price: $89,000

AP Royal Oak Pink Gold Chronograph 38mm

No daydream scenario would be complete without at least entertaining an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. In this instance, the pink gold 38mm Chronograph will do the trick! And as these wear large, it will feel like you’ve a 40-41mm on the wrist, and the pink gold combined with the blue Grande Tapisserie dial is perfect and says you’ve made it! It’s a tad over the limit, but hey, only a couple of grand!

Australian Approximate Retail Price: $102,000

Marco Lang Zweigesicht Variation III In Platinum

Marco Lang may not be a name you’ve heard of, but the German watchmaker is doing some incredible work, like the Zweigesicht Variation III in Platinum. With only 18 watches available, you’ll be sure to stand out. This model has a white-fired skeletonized dial in solid silver, covered with blue, translucent enamel “grand feu” and Cathedral hands in blued steel. If that wasn’t enough, the shapes and materials of the hands, hand engravings in the movement and on the case, even different cuts and polishes can be customised for you.

Price based on dial and customisation chosen, circa $100,000

Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire

Hublot gets a bad wrap, but to be honest, they do things with materials most other brands wouldn’t think of, and the R&D that goes into some of their pieces is quite amazing. And if you’re not afraid to show off a little, then the Big Bang Unico Sapphire 42 is the perfect statement piece, after all, you’ve got the cash, so why not flaunt it a little. With an all sapphire case, skeletonised dial and the HUB1280 Unico in house movement with flyback chronograph, you’re actually getting a decent watch under all that showiness.

Australian Recommended Retail Price: $96,000

So there you have it – 5 watches that will let you blow $100,000 in one hit! And if you don’t like any of these suggestions, then feel free to drop us a comment in the section below and tell us what you’d buy with a lazy $100k?

The event has a strict invitation policy, where only certain celebrities, fashion designers, influential figures, and models are invited. As this is a fashion event, there will be a range of outfits on show, from the stylish and classy to the wild and outrageous. With these outfits come the accessories, accessories that we love: watches.

Having a nice watch on the wrist can perfectly complement and even lift the attire being worn. Every watch collector has that one piece that comes out only on special occasions. For celebrities and attendees of the Met Gala, this is their chance to showcase the best they have. So without further ado, let’s look at the timepieces that were worn during this year’s Met Gala.

Simu Liu – Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Ref. 4500V
Image Ref: Monochrome watches/Getty Images

The Canadian actor known for portraying Shang-chi in the 2021 Marvel movie Shang-Chi was seen wearing a Vacheron Constantin Overseas. This particular model is stainless steel with a black dial.

Price: $35,500 AUD

Stormzy – Patek Philippe Nautilus

Ref. 5711/110P-001
Image Ref: Theperpetualwatch / Uproxx/Getty Images

The British rapper Michael Owuo Jr., more famously known as Stormzy, made a stylish entrance into this year’s Met Gala in a floral print blue and black suit. Accompanying this suit was his rare full platinum Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/110P with a factory diamond bezel.

Price: $155,000 USD.

Eileen Gu – IWC Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34

Ref (IW659802)
Image ref: Watchilove / Unofficialnetworks

The 19-year-old freestyle skier has represented China in halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air events since 2019. Matching her beautiful white and pink dress was her IWC Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34, with a pink leather strap.

Price: $30,200 AUD

Jack Harlow – Rolex GMT Master II (Batman) 

Ref. 126710BLNR-0003
Image Ref: Bilboard.com

Jack Harlow the famous American rapper was seen at the Gala wearing an navy Tommy Hilfiger jacket and pants, which let his stainless steel Rolex GMT stand out quite nicely. This Rolex GMT Master II has a blue and black bezel insert and is iconically known as the “Batman”.

Price: $15,050 AUD

Roger Federer – Rolex Perpetual 1908

Image Ref: Gettyimages.

One of the all-time greats, if not the greatest tennis player ever, Roger Federer in a slick and sharp suit. On the wrist? A piece that’s just as classy and elegant as his attire. The Rolex Perpetual 1908 in white gold and fluted bezel was just released at this year’s Watches and Wonders.

Price: $32,850 AUD

Rami Malek –  Cartier Tank Must

Ref. WGTA0091
Image Ref: JustJared.com

Rami Malek, the American actor who played the villain in the last Bond Movie “No Time to Die” and also the lead role in Bohemian Rhapsody wore what is a very minimalistic outfit. The somewhat plain black and white attire was accompanied by his 18l Rose gold Cartier Tank Louis.

Price: $20,500 AUD

Michelle Yeoh – Richard Mille platinum with baguette-cut diamonds

Ref (RM 07-01)
Image Ref: Jamesedition.com / Getty Images

The Malaysian actress famous for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Shang Chi and 007’s Tomorrow Never Dies just to name a few was seen donning the Richard Mille RM07-01. This timepiece makes use of ceramic, gold, carbon, and of course…diamonds!

Price: $1,000,000 USD

Nick Jonas – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Ref (26315ST.OO.1256ST.02.)
Image Ref: John Shearer/Wireimage

The American singer, songwriter, and actor Nick Jonas wore a sharp suit with a leather jacket combo accompanied by a very fine timepiece tucked away. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 38mm, a stainless steel chronograph with a beautiful silver dial.

Price: $31,500 USD.

Anitta – Roger Dubuis Velvet Platinum 38MM

Ref. (RDDBVE0019)
Image Ref: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

The Brazilian superstar gracefully entered Met Gala 2023 for her third appearance in a Marc Jacobs gown with a long silky train. For us watch aficionados, however, the center of her outfit was the Roger Dubuis Velvet Platinum 38mm.

Price: $ 2,155,000 AUD.

The Lunar Calendar for example is specifically a calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon. It’s estimated that the average time between two full moons is 29.5 days, therefore the months on the Lunar Calendar were made to be either 29 or 30 days.

A moon phase complication is one of the world’s oldest watch complications. The complication dates back to Ancient Greek times, where the earliest moon phase complication was found on the Antikythera Mechanism. This mechanism was developed by the Ancient Greeks to predict astronomical events, and it would show moon phases and eclipses.

In the modern world, when a moon phase complication is mentioned, one immediately thinks of wristwatches. The first moon phase complication on a wristwatch was developed by Patek Phillipe in 1925, which was shortly followed by Rolex with their own interpretation of the moon phase with Reference 8171 in 1949. In the 21st century, the moon phase complication can be found on timepieces ranging from entry-level to high-level luxury pieces. Most brands follow the same design of displaying the moon phase on the dial, however, a few brands have dared to step outside the norm and create incredible pieces that show this complication in a new light.

How does the moon phase complication work?

The most common way a moon phase is designed on a timepiece is by having two moons on a disc that rotates, shown through a half-circle aperture on the dial. This aperture would only show the correct phase of the moon depending on its current position on the Lunar cycle.

As mentioned earlier, the Lunar Cycle is approximately 29.5 days per month. To be accurate for a watch-making complication, however, the Lunar Cycle is taken as 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.8 seconds. The hour wheel on the gear train plays a vital role in the operation of the moon phase. As the hour wheel makes one full rotation around the dial every 12 hours (on standard 12-hour timepieces), the hour wheel drives the moon wheel at a ratio of 1:2 (24hrs/2).

The standard moon disc will come with a one-tooth gear that is mounted co-axially. Hidden underneath the dial, the moon disc has 59 peripheral teeth, which results in the advancement of the moon disc once per day. The reason there are 59 teeth is because of the Lunar cycle. 59 divided by 2 is 29.5, which means one moon phase will end after 29.5 days. Having two moons on the moon disc means that when the cycle for the first one is finished, the disc automatically will display the Lunar cycle for the second disc, thereby having a continuous rotational moon phase.

A Moon phase can be displayed in many different ways on the dial. The most common is the half-circle aperture on the dial where the moon phase, the starry night sky along with clouds are shown. Below is a list of some of the different variations of moon phases shown on watch dials.

Blancpain Villeret Quatieme Complet Blue Dial

(Image ref: Watche-news.com/villeret-quatieme-complet-blue-dial)

This stunning display of horology combines red gold with a deep sky blue to make one aesthetic-looking watch. Everything about this timepiece was made to be as beautiful as possible, to complement the host of complications sitting underneath.

The Villeret Quatieme Complet Blue Dial comes with a standard moon phase aperture at 6 o’clock, where a graphic display of the moon and two stars are shown. The half aperture is designed to show the clouds covering the night sky and moon. Along the top half of the aperture, Blancpain has also shown the Lunar cycle of 29.5 days.

Breguet Classique Quantieme Perpetual 7327

Another beautiful display of functions on a dial is the updated Breguet Classique Quantieme Perpetual 7327. The successor to reference 5327 from Breguet, this dial is more refined, less cluttered, and also has an updated moon phase indicator.

The previous moon phase design for this Classique Quantieme Perpetual looked very similar to the Blancpain moon phase indicator above. For this latest reference, Breguet has chosen to go with an accurate depiction of the moon and starry night sky, combined with the aperture’s cloud design. Once again the Lunar Calendar cycle days can be found on the top of the aperture.

If you want to read more about the Breguet Classique Quantieme Perpetual 7327 and see more close-up pictures of that beautiful moon phase, click here!

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Moonphase Titanium Hands

This monochromatic timepiece is uplifted by the colourful moon phase display at 6 o’clock. The timepiece is full skeleton, where everything is stripped down to a bare minimum to show the movement and workings underneath.

The moon phase indicator follows suit. Although not fully skeletonised, the timepiece comes with a transparent aperture. This shows how the previously mentioned moon phase disc is operated, with two moons being displayed on the singular disc so that after one Lunar cycle ends the other begins in a continuous motion.

Want to see more of this skeletal masterpiece and a closer look at how the moon phase disc looks? Click here!

Christopher Ward C1 Moonglow

The C1 Moonglow by Christopher Ward gives a unique take on the moon phase indicator. The brand’s in-house moon phase movement tracks the moon’s orbit accurately for 128 years! There are two-three dimensional moons on the dial, coated with a generous amount of Grade X1 GL Super-LumiNova, which gives that incredible “moonglow” you see in the picture.

Rotating like a normal moon disc, now covering the whole dial, the phase of the moon can be read from an aperture at 12 o’clock, while the second moon remains “clouded” under smoked glass.

HERMÈS Arceau L’heure De La Lune

One of the most epic displays of a moon phase indicator we’ve seen is HERMÈS’s Arceau L’heure De La Lune. This is a dreamlike timepiece made for lovers of astronomy.

This very unique timepiece shows what Earth’s satellites see’s. It simultaneously displays the moon phases of both the northern and southern hemispheres. The phases of the moon are indicated by, you guessed it, the rotating sub-dials of the hour and date.

This awe-inspiring display of rocks, moon phases, and rotating subdials can be seen more in-depth in our article here!

Arnold & Son Luna Magna Gold

The Arnold & Son Luna Magna Gold is a stunning display of a moon phase indicator. The timepiece focuses solely on the moon phase indicator, with even the main dial being offset to show more of the moon phase and the surrounding starry night sky.

This is the first-ever 3D moon phase indicator shown on a watch at this scale. Made of marble and aventurine, the moon showcases its different phases with astronomical precision. On the case back of the timepiece, is Arnold & Son’s incredible aesthetic design of the movement. At the center of the case back, the brand has placed a rotating sphere that accurately represents the appearance of the quarters of the moon against a starry backdrop.

The Royal Oak Offshore was released in 1993 at the Basel Fair, and immediately made waves with its imposing size – 42mm and 14mm thick, it was a big watch for the time, and perhaps, a few year ahead of its time. Large watches didn’t come into fashion for many years later, and it was the likes of the actions stars at the time that brought these bigger watches into vogue. As a result, it wasn’t until Arnold Sshwarzenegger wore a special edition of the collection in his 1999 film; End Of Days did this model line for AP come into it’s own.

As a follow up to the Selfwinding Flyback Chronograph unveiled in February (which we covered here), Audemars Piguet continues their celebration of the 30th anniversary of the collection, paying tribute to the key model that marked a turning point in the destiny of the Offshore with its new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph inspired by the 1999 End of Days model, and limiting it to 500 pieces worldwide.

Before we delve into the new model, lets first take a look back at AP’s partnership with The Austrian Oak. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a collector of pocket watches, former bodybuilder turned actor and then Governor of California visited Le Brassus in 1997. He was already a fan of the Audemars Piguet model launched in 1993, and a few months later, during a meeting in Santa Monica with François-Henry Bennahmias who was then a young salesman, his collaboration with AP was sealed.

The Royal Oak Offshore End of Days (ref. 25770SN) was launched in 1999 and celebrated the release of the film of the same name. The watch had a masculine aesthetic with a steel case covered with a PVD treatment – the first in the brand’s history – and a Kevlar strap. Several pieces of this limited edition of 500 pieces were sold to benefit Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Inner City Games Foundation, which provides sports and educational programmes for disadvantaged children. The success of this first collaboration marked the beginning of many other limited editions with the American-Austrian actor – which total nine to date, including six Royal Oak Offshore models.

Being part of the Offshore collections, the new Ceramic model is 43mm is size, 14.4mm thick and made entirely of black ceramic with the addition of titanium details, such as the studs, push-pieces and case back. AP fire the ceramic at over 1000 degrees Celsius to get the colour uniform when the zirconium oxide binds, and then this is meticulously hand finished to give the watch it’s satin and polished finish.

Audemars Piguet have given the new 30th Anniversary Edition the new-generation Mega Tapisserie dial which is off-set by the bright yellow colour of the Tachymetre scale around the dial, plus the lume of the hour markers and white gold blackened hands – another nod to the 1999 “End Of Day” version. The applied gold AP logo really stands out at 12 o’clock, while black counters grace the dial at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.

Keeping with the black and yellow theme, this new model comes with a black calfskin strap featuring a textile effect and yellow stitching. Thanks to the watch’s integrated interchangeable system, the owner can easily change his or her strap for a yellow calfskin version with black stitching.

Powering the 30th Anniversary Edition is the Manufacture’s latest selfwinding chronograph movement, Calibre 4401, which is fully integrated with a column wheel and flyback function. Being a flyback, you’re able to reset the chronograph back to zero and continue timing with the press of the reset button. Incorporating the column wheel and vertical clutch sees the Royal Oak Offshore’s seconds hand responds immediately, without jerking. Additionally, gentle pressure is enough to activate the push-pieces, and with the additional benefit of less wear and tear on the movement.

The oscillating weight is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. Crafted in 22-carat pink gold, it has been coloured by NAC process to give it an anthracite grey hue. The sapphire case back also reveals the movement’s refined decorations, including Côtes de Genève, circular graining, sunray finishing, circular satin finishing and polished bevels. Last but not least, the titanium case back is engraved with the words “Limited Edition of 500 Pieces”.

Final Thoughts

Audemars Piguet has done justice to the 1999 End of Days version by keeping true to the original model, but refining it and giving it a 2023 makeover. Where the original’s dial was quite busy and layout not as clean, the 30th Anniversary Royal Oak Offshore delivers a cleaner, more refined dial layout. This combined with the black calf-skin integrated strap and yellow stitching helps to tie the look together, and rounds out the look. Being AP, and a black ceramic AP no less that is limited to 500 pieces, the 30th Anniversary Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Flyback Chronograph will surely be in hot demand.

Reference: 26420CE.OO.A005VE.01

Specification

• Case: 43 mm, 14.4 mm thick
• Material: Black ceramic case and bezel, black ceramic push-pieces and screw-locked crown, titanium crown protectors, studs and case back
• Dial: Black dial with Mega Tapisserie pattern, counters and exterior zones in black, white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands coated in black nickel with yellow luminescence, black inner bezel
• Crystal: Glareproofed sapphire crystal
• Caseback: Titanium and sapphire crystal
• Water resistance: 100 metres with a screw-lock crown
• Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4401 with 40 Jewels & vibrating at 4Hz (28,800 VPH)
• Power reserve: 70 Hours
• Strap: Black calfskin strap with textile effect and yellow stitching, titanium pin buckle. Additional interchangeable strap in yellow calfskin with black stitching.

International Retail Pricing: P.O.A

Availability: Contact lour local Audemars Piguet Boutique for details