Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has contributed a dedicated unique timepiece to an exclusive auction during the La Cuvée One Drop 2022 philanthropic event in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 

The watch raised $1.1 million and the net proceeds from this auction will go towards the critical mission of the One Drop Foundation to ensure sustainable access to safe water for all, improving the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable communities. 

 

Featuring a flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and a date, this one-of-a-kind timepiece was inspired by the black ceramic Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 mm that was unveiled in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak collection earlier this year. The timepiece’s 41 mm case, push-pieces, screw-locked crown and integrated bracelet, all crafted from black ceramic, are enhanced with white gold screws on the bezel which create a striking visual contrast.  

 

Deep blue dial

Replacing the signature Tapisserie guilloché dial, this timepiece comes with a deep blue dial showcasing a bold vertical satin-finished design and corresponding blue snailed counters. The blackened gold applied hour-markers, Audemars Piguet signature and Royal Oak hands, recall the watch’s black ceramic architecture, while a luminescent coating on the hour-markers and hands illuminates the dial in low light. 

 

A keen eye will also notice that the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock is the same size as the minute and hour counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, in comparison to earlier references (26331) where this counter was slightly smaller. Another new detail to note is the shape of the chronograph’s second hand which features a trapezoid counterweight. 

 

The Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph “One Drop” is powered by the Manufacture’s integrated flyblack chronograph movement, Calibre 4401 that is composed of 381 parts and features a power reserve of 70 hours. 

 

Zero resetting

Unlike a regular chronograph, the flyback version allows the wearer to stop, reset and start the chronograph in one simple action. The column wheel works in collaboration with a vertical clutch system. When starting or stopping the chronograph, the hands respond accordingly without any hint of jumping. A patented zero resetting mechanism ensures that each one of the counter hands instantaneously resets to zero. 

 

The watch is endowed with a titanium sapphire caseback that reveals the refined Haute Horlogerie decorations on the movement, such as Côtes de Genève, circular graining and circular satin and polished chamfers throughout. A blackened 22-carat gold oscillating weight is also visible through the caseback, along with the engraving “Unique Piece”.

 

“We are proud to have participated in this auction for the 4th year and help make a positive long-term impact worldwide. Access to safe water is crucial now more than ever and it is our duty to help such a cause,” said François-Henry Bennahmias, Audemars Piguet’s Chief Executive Officer.-- TradeArabia News Service