Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked (Skeleton) 15305: Less is More (VIDEO)

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked (Skeleton) 15305 is a wrist-mounted masterclass in haute horlogerie movement finish. Its 39mm stainless steel case and halo-like anthracite chapter ring frame a case study in excruciating hand-craft.

There is no watch that better bridges the gap between hardcore enthusiasts and casual observers than this AP Royal Oak Skeleton; its beauty appeals to pure emotion and transcends the bounds of our niche passion. Upon encountering an individual who fails to be moved by the sight of Audemars‘ gleaming and web-like manufacture caliber 3129, flee the scene and call the zombie squad; that guy lacks a beating heart.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a legend that requires no introduction, but it get one by virtue of its importance. From its 1972 launch as the ultimate iconoclast, the Gerald Genta-designed Royal Oak has remained at the forefront of luxury watch style and the top of collector wish lists.

In 2010, with the Royal Oak 40th anniversary on the horizon, Audemars Piguet decided to make a serious slash with a full-blown “métiers d’art” edition of the Royal Oak that would prevent the iconoclast from becoming a defanged fixture of the establishment.

But two full years passed between the first previews of the Royal Oak 15305 and the final production model; totally hand-finished open worked movements are excruciating to produce. As a mechanical device, the caliber 3129 must retain its mechanical properties, and every phase of the finishing process (e.g., skeleton evacuation, polishing of angles, graining of surfaces, black polish) can destroy the functional integrity of each component…

…it’s no wonder the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked required two years to advance from concept to production.

But the end result was spectacular, and it remains a stunning testament to luxury watchmaking’s seamless fusion of art and engineering. The caliber 3129 features visual fireworks worthy of an SIHH or Baselworld concept watch, but the basic virtues of the in-house caliber 3120 remain; smooth bi-directional winding; high efficiency ceramic winding-rotor bearings; superior 60-hour power reserve; screw-secured hairspring stud on a robust full balance bridge.

Naturally, the integrated bracelet boasts the same degree of finish that elevated the original steel Royal Oak to precious metal-levels of prestige. Each element of the assembly sports multiple facets, multiple finishes, and seamless fit that minimizes gaps. A robust double-deployant clasp underscores the attention to detail; each deployant arm is fashioned in the image of Audemars Piguet’s “AP” logo.

See this opus-grade Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked 15305 with all original Audemars Piguet factory equipment in high-resolution images on our website, www.watchuwant.com, or browse our collection of pre-owned men’s skeleton watches for more handsome timepieces.