Introducing Audemars Piguet Unveils the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin RD#5

Audemars Piguet unveils the new RD#5: a Royal Oak "Jumbo" equipped with both a flying tourbillon and an all-new flyback chronograph movement. Released to commemorate the brand’s milestone 150th anniversary, this watch retains the proportions of the iconic Jumbo case, measuring 39 mm in diameter and 8.1 mm in thickness, while packing in a remarkable set of complications.

First, what is the RD Series?

Launched in 2015, the RD (Research & Development) series is Audemars Piguet’s experimental laboratory for pushing the boundaries of haute horlogerie. It explores new complications, movement architectures, ultra-thin designs, innovative acoustics, and avant-garde aesthetics. Each RD# creation addresses a specific horological challenge, often resulting in groundbreaking prototypes or limited editions that showcase the Manufacture’s technical mastery without compromise.

For the RD#5, the AP team set out to preserve the proportions of the Royal Oak Jumbo case (39 mm × 8.1 mm) while integrating a chronograph with a flying tourbillon. A key innovation is the function selector, operated via a push-piece coaxial to the crown and linked to a dedicated column wheel. This allows switching between winding and time-setting modes. Rather than using a dial indicator, a red ring appears in time-setting mode—an elegant, intuitive, and ergonomic alternative to the traditional crown pull-out system.

Another highlight is the use of Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG), a material discovered in the 1960s. BMG is created by cooling metal so rapidly that its atoms cannot form a crystalline structure, resulting in steel-like strength with a glass-like polish. In 2021, Audemars Piguet pioneered the first BMG alloy based on precious metals. Its surface is nearly scratch-proof, while its elasticity allows cases to absorb minor shocks.

The RD#5 case combines titanium with BMG elements, including the bezel, caseback, crown, and push-pieces. The mirror-polished BMG contrasts strikingly with the satin-brushed titanium case and bracelet, enhanced by the Royal Oak’s signature polished bevels. The caseback is engraved “1 of 150,” underscoring the exclusivity of the edition.

The blue dial, decorated with the famed “Petite Tapisserie” motif, is paired with silver-toned subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock for the 12-hour and 30-minute counters. White gold luminescent “bathtub” hands and hour markers complement the design, along with a silver-grey inner bezel and the historical “Audemars Piguet” signature at 12 o’clock.

At the heart of the watch is the newly unveiled Calibre 8100, which introduces a patented chronograph reset mechanism that reimagines a system left virtually unchanged for 150 years. Designed by Audemars Piguet’s engineers, it optimises energy storage and release for a more precise, efficient, and ergonomic chronograph experience, all within the extra-thin Jumbo case. Beating at 21,600 vph (3 Hz), the movement offers a 72-hour power reserve.

The calibre also incorporates a novel clutch mechanism that merges the benefits of horizontal and vertical friction clutches. The oblique profile of the wheels’ teeth ensures immediate, seamless engagement. Compared to a vertical clutch, this architecture achieves greater compactness, crucial to maintaining the watch’s slim proportions. The movement is further slimmed down by a peripheral rotor, with the chronograph mechanism built directly within the rotor’s diameter.

The RD#5 also integrates the high-amplitude flying tourbillon introduced in the RD#3. Redesigned in 2022, it is thinner yet more efficient, using a peripheral drive system that enhances balance amplitude and optimises energy distribution.

Completing the watch is a titanium integrated bracelet with BMG links, secured by an AP folding clasp. The Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 150th Anniversary is limited to 150 pieces, priced at CHF 260,000 (approx. AED 1,199,400).

For more information visit the official website of Audemars Piguet.