Time has feelings: messing with the Royal Oak
Through a lens that flirts with discomfort, these images treats metal, gold, and ceramic like living matter, reimagining high horology as something tactile, flawed, and strangely human. Lampoon SOAP
Audemars Piguet: Royal Oak Icons on Lampoon pages
On Lampoon SOAP, a series of images interprets five Audemars Piguet creations through a sculptural and textural lens. His images focus on material and light — the dense black of ceramic, the granular shimmer of sand gold, the intricate depth of openworked movements — giving each Royal Oak its own visual rhythm and tone. The watches appear as objects suspended between mechanics and abstraction, echoing the blend of technique and artistry that defines the brand.
Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph – Black Ceramic
The Royal Oak Offshore in black ceramic offers a robust, contemporary take on Audemars Piguet’s signature design. The 42 mm case is crafted entirely from high-resistance ceramic, a material known for its hardness and stability yet difficult to machine. Alternating brushed and polished surfaces highlight the brand’s finishing expertise, while the “Méga Tapisserie” dial preserves legibility and reinforces the technical character of the Offshore line.
Inside beats the automatic calibre 4404, an integrated chronograph movement with column wheel and vertical clutch, developed entirely in-house. It delivers a power reserve of around 70 hours and a smooth, precise operation of the pushers. Water-resistant to 100 m, it stands as one of the most technically advanced sports chronographs in contemporary Swiss watchmaking.
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar – Sand Gold
This version of the Royal Oak introduces a proprietary 18-carat alloy called Sand Gold, whose tone shifts between pink and white depending on the light. The 41 mm case and “Grande Tapisserie” dial integrate the perpetual calendar functions — day, date, month, leap year and moon phase — in a balanced and legible layout. Despite the mechanical complexity, the watch retains the clarity and proportions typical of the Royal Oak line.
Powering the model is the ultra-thin automatic calibre 5134, composed of over 380 components and offering approximately 40 hours of autonomy. Fully hand-finished and visible through the sapphire caseback, it features traditional decoration such as hand-polished bevels and Geneva stripes. This is one of the most technically refined and classical executions of the Royal Oak.
Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph – Steel or Titanium
The standard Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph keeps the signature octagonal bezel and exposed screws, here within a 43 mm case. The proportions are bold yet ergonomically managed through the integrated case-bracelet design. The “Méga Tapisserie” dial retains the collection’s identity, pairing a strong presence with practical legibility.
The watch houses the calibre 4401, an integrated automatic chronograph with a column wheel, vertical clutch and flyback function. It provides a 70-hour power reserve and displays refined finishing visible through the sapphire back. Technically modern and built for endurance, it represents Audemars Piguet’s approach to the high-end sports chronograph.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked – Hammered Yellow Gold
The yellow-gold “hammered” version of the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked combines artisanal surface finishing with visible mechanical architecture. The 18-carat case and bracelet are treated with a micro-hammering technique — known as “Frosted Gold” — that gives a distinctive matte sparkle. The openworked dial exposes the calibre 3132, revealing the dual balance assembly and the full depth of the movement.
The double balance construction improves rate stability by mounting two balance wheels and springs on a shared axis. The movement is entirely hand-decorated, with polished bevels and brushed surfaces executed to haute-horlogerie standards. The model focuses on structural mechanics and finishing rather than sporting performance, showcasing Audemars Piguet’s mastery of open-worked design.
Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked – Black Ceramic
In its black-ceramic configuration, the Double Balance Wheel Openworked takes on a more technical and contemporary presence. The 41 mm case and integrated bracelet are entirely made of high-tech ceramic, a lightweight, scratch-resistant material that retains its deep hue indefinitely. The monochrome aesthetic accentuates the open architecture of the calibre 3132, visible from both sides through sapphire crystals.
Mechanically identical to the gold version, the calibre 3132 features the same twin-balance system and automatic winding. Ceramic construction enhances wear resistance and reduces maintenance needs while preserving the fine hand finishing that defines the line. This execution distills the Royal Oak’s mechanical essence into a more restrained, modern form — precision and structure expressed through advanced materials.
