Weighty matters call for innovation

The watchmaker's ambitious search for ultra-light timepieces has led it to incorporate forged carbon technology

Inside a complicated watch, the number of parts involved can run into the hundreds. Together with the metal case, a timepiece can be heavy on the wrist. Audemars Piguet is the first watchmaker to introduce an ultra-light timepiece using forged carbon technology.

Both the case and the movement of the Royal Oak Carbon Concept Tourbillon and Chronograph are in carbon. The case middle, the two power-reserve cones and the inserts decorating the open-worked zones at 6o'clock and 12o'clock are covered with the new technique of amorphous forged carbon coating.

The bezel and push pieces on the crown are crafted in ceramics, the ring surrounding the caseback is made from PVD blackened titanium and the central bridge on the dial is made from a special kind of aluminium. The tourbillon carriage consists of about 70 parts, but weighs only 0.45 grams as the device is coated with a two-tone black PVD and steel finish, underscoring the fact that Audemars is aggressive in trying new materials.

Light but powerful, the watch is equipped with the hand-wound (with tourbillon) calibre 2895 movement, which comprises 384 parts. The dial features hour and minute hands, a linear chronograph minute counter with central sweep seconds hand and a power-reserve of 237 hours indicator at 12o'clock.

The design of the functions on the dial is unique. Instead of the conventional circular counters, the chronograph on the right runs parallel with the tourbillon bridge on the left. The various parts of the carbon mechanics are also revealed on the dial.