Audemars Piguet Puts Serena Williams’ Vision On The Wrist With The New Royal Oak
PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDEMARS PIGUET
Audemars Piguet rarely lets outside voices shape the Royal Oak. Yet its new limited-edition Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph ‘Serena Williams’ does exactly that, translating over a decade of partnership with the tennis icon into a dedicated watch. For a brand that guards its most iconic case so fiercely, the result is worth paying attention to.
White ceramic forms the entire case and integrated bracelet, delivering scratch resistance with a lightweight feel. The material also gives the Royal Oak’s famous octagonal bezel and screw pattern an entirely new look. Every surface is hand-finished with the watchmaker’s signature mix of satin brushing and sharp chamfered edges, the kind of obsessive detailing the house is known for.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDEMARS PIGUET
Against all that white, the dial does the emotional work. Cut from mother-of-pearl with a soft pink tint, it evokes feminine energy without feeling literal. The material’s natural iridescence shifts with the light, giving the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph ‘Serena Williams’ unexpected depth. White gold hands and pink-gold hour markers filled with luminescent material complete the face. A matching pink rubber strap also ships alongside the ceramic bracelet as a second wearing option.
At 38 MM across and just over 11 MM thick, the timepiece is closer to the original 1970s proportions than the oversized sport watches that dominate today. Inside, Audemars Piguet’s new in-house Calibre 6401 drives the chronograph. The movement keeps the patented vertical-clutch system enthusiasts expect, but simplifies it with fewer components and smoother pusher action. A sapphire caseback then reveals the 22K pink gold oscillating weight, framed in titanium with a ‘Limited Edition’ engraving.
Whether or not the tennis connection moves the needle for you, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph ‘Serena Williams’ stands on its own merits. A new movement, a genuine design point of view and proportions that sit effortlessly on the wrist all point to where Audemars Piguet’s 38 MM chronograph is headed next.
