Audemars Piguet Introduces Three Royal Oak “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Models

Audemars Piguet is famous for using ceramics in its Royal Oak line. Some of the many highlights include the ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar and Double Balance Wheel Openworked models. When it comes to specific colors, the first two that come to mind are the black and electric-blue shades that most of you will know. But you will soon add another color to that list. With the introduction of a trio of Royal Oak “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” models, Audemars Piguet celebrates the night sky above the Vallée de Joux, which also inspired Gérald Genta for the dark blue color of the first Royal Oak ref. 5402. Let’s find out more!

Audemars Piguet is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. We have already seen a string of remarkable releases from the brand, as Lex reported. The standouts were, without a doubt, the new Perpetual Calendar models that debuted only a month ago. But in this week of Watches and Wonders, the brand surprises us with a trio of releases. This time, there are no new horological developments. Rather, what we get are three familiar watches executed in dark blue ceramic. You might wonder what makes that so special. Well, you saw the header picture before you clicked, so ask yourself whether you were as intrigued as I was when you saw the watches.

The story of the Royal Oak “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” models

If stripped down to its essence, this is a trio of watches in a new ceramic color. But let’s make it a little more substantial by explaining what inspired these pieces. The blue shade refers to the dark color of the night sky in the Vallée de Joux, which inspired Gérald Genta for the dial of the Royal Oak ref. 5402. When he asked Geneva-based dial maker Stern to replicate that color, the company did just that. The signature color “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” was created by adding pigment no. 50 to a protective varnish called Zapon. According to Audemars Piguet, the “cloud” effect of that color was the result of a chemical reaction created by pouring a bit of black into the liquid lacquer.

While the signature “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” color is still produced for the dial of the Royal Oak “Jumbo,” the production techniques have changed. Today, the color is created using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process. This guarantees a more homogenous tone, resulting in more controlled and better results for the brand’s dials. But when it comes to creating ceramic in the same color, it’s a completely different challenge. To ensure the same controlled production process with consistent results, it took Audemars Piguet several years to develop the material with this signature color. In the end, though, the engineers succeeded, and now we see three watches in dark blue ceramic — one Royal Oak and two Royal Oak Offshore models. Let’s go over them in detail.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”

The first watch is the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” (ref. 15416CD.OO.1225CD.01). This one follows the example of the two black ceramic models that came before it. The last was a black ceramic version with a rose-tone caliber that debuted last year, as Thomas reported. This new version features a blue ceramic 41mm case matched with a dark blue integrated bracelet. The case is only 9.7mm thick and has a 50m water resistance rating.

Protected by the AR-coated flat sapphire crystal is the brand’s caliber 3132. For this watch, the designers at Audemars Piguet decided to go for a rhodium-tone version of the movement. Pleasingly, the bezel screws match the color of the movement. But it’s not all rhodium galore because some pink gold details contrast the movement nicely, like the axis that holds the double-balance-wheel construction and the hands and hour markers.

The open-worked Audemars Piguet caliber 3132

The movement both looks and is technically impressive. Caliber 3132 debuted in 2016 and presented two balance wheels and hairsprings mounted on top of each other on a shared axis. This special patented construction is said to improve accuracy and stability. It allows a view of the beating heart of the watch from both the front and the back of the movement. Additionally, the open-worked bridges allow for a view of the gear train, further enhancing the magic. The finishing of the different parts is meticulously done, as we have come to know from Audemars Piguet.

Technically, the caliber comprises 245 parts and operates at 21,600vph while offering 45 hours of power reserve. If you turn the watch around, you will see the heavily skeletonized rotor through the sapphire window of the titanium case back. While it is a beautifully executed rotor, the true magic is on the front of the watch. I love that Audemars Piguet chose to match dark blue with a sparkling rhodium finish. As a result, it creates a very technical overall look, and the little sparkles of pink gold are the icing on the cake. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” will have a retail price of €101,600.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”

The second model is the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph (ref. 26238CD.OO.1300CD.01). This watch features a 42mm blue ceramic case matched with a blue ceramic bracelet. The case is 15.3mm thick and features a matching ceramic crown with a titanium chip, blue ceramic chronograph pushers, and a titanium and sapphire case back. Additionally, the case and bracelet are matched with a Méga Tapisserie dial in the same color. It creates a proper monochromatic overall aesthetic contrasted by little elements. The stainless steel bezel screws, the titanium crown chip, and the white gold hands and markers provide a nice visual break from all the blue.

If you turn the watch around, you’ll see the pink gold rotor of the 433-part in-house caliber 4404. This automatic flyback chronograph movement operates at 28,800vph, has 40 jewels, and offers 70 hours of power reserve. Pulling your eyes away from the movement and to the bracelet, you may notice that Audemars Piguet updated it. The pins connecting the studs to the links are now seamlessly integrated to create an even sleeker look. Overall, I like the monochromatic blue aesthetic of this new Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 42mm, which will have a retail price of €87,400.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”

The final model in this trio is the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” (ref. 26420SO.OO.A029VE.01). Unlike the other two watches, this is not a fully ceramic model. The watch features a 43mm stainless steel case with a blue ceramic bezel and a 14.4mm thickness. The case also features a blue ceramic crown and matching modern chronograph pushers on the right side. Furthermore, it is water resistant to 100 meters and paired with a textured blue calfskin leather strap. Inside the case is a dark blue Méga Tapisserie dial, just like this watch’s smaller brother. The white gold hands and hour markers and the white tachymeter scale and markings on the dial provide the necessary contrast.

Audemars Piguet equips the watch with its 381-part caliber 4401. This automatic chronograph movement operates at 28,800vph, has 40 jewels, and offers 70 hours of power reserve. The integrated caliber features a column wheel and a flyback function, just like the caliber 4404 that powers its smaller brother. This last “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” model will sell for €43,100.

Final thoughts on the new Royal Oak “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” models

Overall, I like the “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” color of this new ceramic. It’s a wonderfully dark and deep blue that will undoubtedly gain lots of fans. I much prefer it over the black and electric-blue ceramic that Audemars Piguet uses in other models. When it comes to picking a favorite of these three watches, I’d choose the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked. The combination of the blue shade with the movement’s rhodium finish just works so well. Add that to a dark blue denim outfit, and it’s a match made in the blue heavens of the Vallée de Joux.