Audemars Piguet makes statement pieces and, much like other brands this year, they have been targeted at women, but in a unique, bold way. Enter the spectacular Diamond Outrage, a haute joaillerie sculpture in diamonds (9 923 brilliant cut and 354 baguette, to be precise), or diamonds combined with blue sapphires. Inspired by the snow-covered Vallée de Joux of the Jura Mountains, it’s “an explosion of stalactites on the wrist”. Audemars Piguet’s clever “snow” technique also means that the 18-karat white-gold settings almost disappear to maximise the dramatic effect. A dial smaller than a copper coin with a Calibre 2701 quartz movement is nestled among this lavish dusting of gems.
However spectacular this attention-grabber might be, it is the Royal Oak 40th anniversary celebration pieces, in particular the women’s Royal Oak Frosted Gold (pictured), that are my favourite Audemars Piguet releases at this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève. These include the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Jumbo, black ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, and Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin Openworked.