With her own namesake watch, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci, we catch a glimpse at how a designer will improve upon iconic perfection
When Jacqueline Dimier joined as a designer in 1975, her first task was to take Gérald Genta’s pioneering luxury men’s sports watch, the Royal Oak and update it as a modern wristwatch for women. Considering the strong angles and unmistakable machismo, Dimier “leaned into” the masculine design codes and simply adopted a sleeker, slimmer look for the women’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. For the 40th anniversary, the Le Brassus manufacture celebrated its royal icon with the Royal Oak Frosted Gold, depending once again on the feminine vision of another famed artisan – Carolina Bucci.
The creative partnership of Audemars Piguet and Italian jewellery designer Carolina Bucci on the 37mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold. delivers the same emotional draw and wonder, as as Dimier’s interpretation did with new appeal – a simultaneously smooth yet sandy textured surface to the eponymous design codes of the women’s Royal Oak, what results is a woman’s timepiece radiating feminine refinement. Given the runaway success of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold, the maison saw fit to give the artisan her own namesake watch. Introducing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci.
“It’s unique and fun. Who needs a selfie when you can look at yourself in your watch?” – Jasmine Audemars on the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci – What an Artisan’s will “update” with their Own Namesake watch
More surprises are await as the brand’s signature “Tapisserie” Royal Oak dial gives way to high sophistication and elegance via a highly reflective silver-toned mirror, framed with the shimmering sparkle of the iconic Frosted Gold case and bracelet.
Bucci describes her latest creation as “rebellious”, indeed, her namesake Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci is attention grabbing much as the original was, with an all new visage of ‘diamond dust’ finishing, appearing for the first time in yellow gold— Bucci’s favourite precious metal.
“With the first Frosted Gold design, I took the perfection of the Royal Oak case and bracelet and ‘roughed them up’ a little, juxtaposing the perfectly imperfect Florentine finish with Swiss watchmaking precision. Now I’m doing the opposite, taking the textured surface of the “Tapisserie” dial and flattening it out into a perfectly smooth mirror. The motive for both is to create something interesting and unpredictable.” – Carolina Bucci on her namesake Frosted Gold Royal Oak
The limited edition of 300 piece Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci is a creative edition, taking her ‘frosted’ vision in new directions, unexpected directions. While it might seem unprecedented that the brand’s signature tapisserie dial is not present on this artisanal edition, the mirrored dial is undeniably stunning.
Carolina Bucci explains her inspiration with a certain, yet unexpected, creative logic: “With the first Frosted Gold design, I took the perfection of the Royal Oak case and bracelet and ‘roughed them up’ a little, juxtaposing the perfectly imperfect Florentine finish with Swiss watchmaking precision. Now I’m doing the opposite, taking the textured surface of the “Tapisserie” dial and flattening it out into a perfectly smooth mirror. The motive for both is to create something interesting and unpredictable. It’s a fresh take on an icon made in the image of a contemporary woman. I know women with a great eye for keynote accessories who are going to love this. The mirror is always interacting with its environment, ever-changing according to what clothes you’re wearing, the décor of the room, the lighting, the time of day, the weather.”
Ask senior brand executives what their favourite model is and a common, politically correct refrain is often, “how does one pick their favourite child? It’s impossible to choose,” that said, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of Audemars Piguet’s Board of Directors, is an unabashed fan, wearing the first edition Royal Oak Frosted Gold since its launch in 2016. According to Ms. Audemars, “the creativity behind the Frosted Gold watch is simply amazing. It is both art and a very high level of technology. With Carolina Bucci, we created a kind of masterpiece.” She sees the new limited edition with its mirrored dial as “the final touch.” “It’s unique and fun. Who needs a selfie when you can look at yourself in your watch?”
Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci Price and Specs
Movement Automatic calibre 3120 with 60 hours power reserve
Case 37mm yellow gold with 50 metres water resistance
Strap Yellow gold bracelet
Price On application
