AP Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked: Now in White Ceramic
Traditionally, major luxury watch brands release most of their new models at big conventions like Watches & Wonders or Geneva Watch Days. But increasingly, new luxury watches are being revealed online sporadically with little to no fanfare. This is one of those times: Audemars Piguet has just quietly released a white ceramic version of their popular and prestigious Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked.
According to Esquire Middle East, this watch was designed by collectors at a 2022 Dubai workshop the brand called “Create the Extraordinary.” This white ceramic openworked model is one of three limited edition watches designed at that event. It appeared on AP’s website on November 11, 2024 along with a meteorite Code 11.59 and an ultra-thin perpetual calendar with Eastern Arabic numerals.
What’s Different?
Aside from the color, the main difference between this white ceramic AP Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked and the two existing black ceramic versions is the aventurine inner bezel. It’s a tasteful but subtle touch. The impressive skeletonized movement and everything else you would expect are also present. Now let’s go over all the specs:
White Ceramic AP Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked |
| Reference | 15416CB.OO.1225CB.01 |
| Case Material | White ceramic |
| Case Size | 41mm |
| Case Thickness | 9.7mm |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Crystal | Glareproofed sapphire (front and caseback) |
| Dial | Skeletonized with blue aventurine inner bezel |
| Hands | Black Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating |
| Bracelet | White ceramic with AP folding clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 3132 (Automatic, 6 beats per second, two balance wheels) |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Limited Edition | 30 pieces |
| Market Value (2024) | $375,000 (est.) |
White Ceramic AP Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Pricing and Availability
The actual market value of the White Ceramic AP Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel, limited to 30 pieces, will probably be around $375,000, given that the non-limited black ceramic version (15416CE.OO.1225CE.01) goes for around $260,000 and the 150-piece limited black version (15416CE.OO.1225CE.02) sells for $330,000. Plus the black ones don’t have cool stone inner bezels like the white version does. Initially all 30 examples will be sold exclusively at Audemars Piguet boutiques. Expect an MSRP around $110,000 if you’re lucky enough to be one of the few VIP’s who purchase one at retail price.
Thoughts
AP has really been leaning heavily into their Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked line lately, and this white ceramic one is the 21st model in the family. The first two models–one in steel and one in rose gold–came in 2016. 21 variants seems like a lot, but many of them are fancy gem-set references, plus skeleton watches are hot right now in general. Watches with full ceramic bracelets (something Chanel did first, interestingly) are also pretty hot these days, so I’m sure Audemars Piguet will have no trouble selling all 30. We’ll have to wait and see how many hundreds of thousands they’ll resale for, but I expect this to be another successful 2024 Audemars Piguet release.
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