Since its debut in 2002, the Royal Oak Concept collection has served as Audemars Piguet’s platform for showcasing complex calibers and cutting-edge materials. Now, for 2024, the collection welcomes a new addition: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date in a material called Chroma Forged Technology (CFT). While the Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date itself is not new, the innovation here lies in the material—an advanced, colored forged carbon with luminescent pigments.replica ap watch

Audemars Piguet notes that it has been eight years since it last released a forged carbon watch, despite being the first to introduce this material to watchmaking back in 2007. The development of the new CFT carbon took five years of research and development by AP’s in-house team. This material is lightweight, shock-resistant, and impervious to heat and humidity. Moreover, CFT’s lower resin content makes it more scratch-resistant compared to traditional forged carbon.

The real magic of CFT lies in its ability to color the carbon fibers directly, rather than coloring the resin. This opens up a range of artistic possibilities. The carbon fibers are first cut into small pieces, dyed with pigments, then arranged in layers within a mold. These layers are compressed to remove air bubbles and then cured under pressure for ten hours, forming a color-patterned carbon block. Afterward, it undergoes six to eight hours of machining. As expected, Audemars Piguet has patented this Chroma Forged Technology manufacturing process.luxury replica tourbillon astro a watch

The case of the new Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date measures 43mm in diameter and 17.4mm in thickness. The CFT carbon is imbued with blue luminescent pigments, making the fibers glow in the dark—a striking effect that evokes the feeling of Vincent van Gogh’s famous Starry Night, adding a layer of artistry to this technical masterpiece.