THE AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK TOURBILLON EXTRA THIN OPENWORKED 26511PT

There are moments in watchmaking when a manufacture does not simply introduce a new reference, but quietly demonstrates the full extent of its capabilities. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra Thin Openworked 26511PT belongs firmly in that category. Created in 2012 to mark forty years of the Royal Oak, it is far more than an anniversary piece. It is a study in balance, bringing together ultra thin watchmaking, a tourbillon regulator and fully openworked architecture within one of the most recognisable designs ever created. Limited to just forty examples worldwide, the watch available at Onaro, Number 2 of 40, carries a particular significance that we will explore shortly, marking it as one of the most technically complete Royal Oaks ever produced.

The Gérald Genta Heritage

When the Royal Oak first appeared in 1972, it did more than challenge convention. It redefined it. Designed by Gérald Genta, its octagonal bezel, exposed screws and integrated bracelet introduced a new architectural language to watchmaking. Bold, deliberate and entirely unexpected, it was nevertheless finished with a level of care usually reserved for precious metal dress watches. That contrast between industrial design and refined execution continues to define the Royal Oak today, and in this limited edition platinum reference, it is taken further than in almost any other.

A Masterpiece in 950 Platinum

For its fortieth anniversary, Audemars Piguet chose not merely to revisit the past, but to demonstrate what the Royal Oak had become. The result was this openworked tourbillon, executed entirely in 950 platinum, a choice of material that is significant not only for its rarity, but also for the demands it places on the watchmaker. More resistant to polishing than gold or steel, platinum requires exceptional control to achieve the sharp transitions between satin brushing and mirror polished bevels that define the Royal Oak case and bracelet. The result is a watch with a distinct presence on the wrist, substantial in weight yet restrained in appearance.

The Calibre 2924 SQ

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the watch reveals its true complexity. In place of a traditional dial, it celebrates the architecture of the hand finished, openworked Calibre 2924 SQ, which comprises more than two hundred components while measuring just 4.46 mm thick. It remains one of the thinnest tourbillon movements of its kind. The movement has been extensively skeletonised, with its bridges cut away to expose the underlying mechanics without compromising structural integrity. Every edge is hand bevelled and each surface is finished with meticulous care, creating a layered sense of depth that changes with the light and viewing angle. At six o’clock, the tourbillon anchors the watch both visually and mechanically, housing the regulating system within a constantly moving cage that completes one rotation every minute. Its purpose here is as much aesthetic as it is technical, with its slow, continuous movement introducing a sense of rhythm that draws the eye without overwhelming the wider composition.

A Rare Opportunity to Own a Legend: Why Number 2 Matters

What distinguishes the reference 26511PT is not simply the presence of these elements, but the way in which they coexist. Ultra thin construction, skeletonisation and a tourbillon are each demanding in their own right. Combined within a single movement, they become something far rarer. Despite this complexity, the watch remains beautifully balanced, with an overall case thickness of just 8.85 mm preserving the effortless wearability that has always been central to the Royal Oak. What further elevates this particular example is its place within the exceptionally limited series. Numbered 2 of just 40 pieces, it sits at the very beginning of the production run, immediately after Number 1, which remains preserved within the Audemars Piguet Museum as part of the brand’s historical collection and was never intended to leave it. This context places the present watch in a unique position. It is not simply one of forty, but the first example to have been released beyond the manufacture itself. In many ways, it represents the true beginning of the series in the hands of a collector, carrying a direct connection to the moment this reference was first introduced to the world.

The Gravity of Early Production Numbers

Within limited productions, early numbers often hold a quiet significance, suggesting proximity to both the original concept and its earliest execution, the point at which design and craftsmanship pass from the atelier into private ownership. In a watch already defined by its technical ambition and rarity, this detail introduces another layer of meaning. It may not be immediately visible, but it is deeply understood by those who know where to look. With only forty pieces ever produced, most examples were delivered directly to long standing collectors and have remained in private collections ever since. As a result, this rare platinum Audemars Piguet appears only occasionally on the market and is recognised globally as one of the most important Royal Oak anniversary editions of its era.

While watches of this calibre are typically held for decades, the exceptional Number 2 of 40 is currently available at Onaro. It presents a rare opportunity for a dedicated collector, or anyone seeking a timepiece that represents the absolute pinnacle of the craft, to experience a watch in which design, material and movement come together without compromise.