When Emerald Light Meets Mechanical Perfection

The Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Self-Winding Flying Tourbillon redefines contemporary luxury. A limited edition of just 15 pieces, this titanium masterpiece features a baguette-cut emerald bezel, sunburst green dial, and the mesmerising Calibre 2950 flying tourbillon — a perfect fusion of precision and poise.

Introduction

Few watches strike the balance between technical brilliance and aesthetic audacity quite like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Ref. 26532IC.EE.1220TI.01. Produced in a strictly limited edition of just 15 pieces, this model represents the pinnacle of AP’s modern artistry — a fusion of avant-garde design, mechanical virtuosity, and gemstone mastery.

If the Royal Oak has always been about reimagining luxury, this edition does so in spectacular style: titanium architecture, an emerald-set bezel, and a hypnotic green sunburst dial that captures the very essence of contemporary haute horlogerie. It’s a rare creation that feels equally at home in a collector’s vault as it does under the cuff of a visionary.

First impressions (aesthetics and dial)

The first encounter with this Royal Oak is one of visual awe. The emerald-set bezel—32 baguette-cut stones totalling over 2.2 carats—frames the watch like a crown of light. Their deep, electric green hue glows vividly against the brushed grey tones of the titanium case, creating a visual dialogue between strength and serenity.

The sunburst green dial, with its vertical satin-brushed finish, offers endless depth. The applied hour markers and hands, crafted in white gold and filled with luminescent coating, seem to float over the surface. And then there’s the flying tourbillon, suspended at six o’clock, rotating gracefully in its open aperture — a living heartbeat surrounded by perfection.

There’s no logo overload, no unnecessary flourish. The watch speaks in quiet confidence, with the depth of craftsmanship that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

Case and dimensions

Crafted entirely in brushed titanium, the case measures 41 mm in diameter and 10.4 mm in thickness — dimensions that strike a perfect balance between sporty boldness and refined wearability. The hallmark octagonal bezel, famously secured by eight white gold screws, takes on new life under the glow of emeralds, contrasting beautifully with the angular geometry of Gérald Genta’s original design.

The integration of satin-brushed and polished finishes across the case and bracelet is exceptional — every edge, bevel, and facet perfectly executed. It’s this attention to surface texture that gives the Royal Oak its architectural allure; light plays across its surfaces like it’s alive.

Movement

Inside beats the Audemars Piguet Calibre 2950, a selfwinding mechanical movement that combines a central rotor with a flying tourbillon — a feat that few manufactures attempt, let alone master. Introduced in 2019, this movement has become a showcase of AP’s horological evolution: precise, beautifully finished, and technically daring.

Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), the Calibre 2950 delivers a 65-hour power reserve, with the oscillating weight visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The movement is finished to an extraordinary level — Geneva stripes, polished bevels, circular graining — all assembled and regulated by hand in Le Brassus.

Every detail reaffirms that this is not just a design piece, but a mechanical masterpiece in its own right.

Wearability (on-wrist experience)

Despite its dramatic presence, the watch wears with understated ease. The titanium construction keeps the weight remarkably light, while the ergonomic bracelet drapes perfectly across the wrist — one of the Royal Oak’s enduring triumphs of design.

The emeralds, far from making the watch feel ostentatious, add a sense of calm radiance. This is not the green of flash or flamboyance — it’s a measured, sophisticated tone that exudes confidence rather than demand attention. The thin profile means it slips comfortably under a cuff, yet every glimpse reminds you of its rarity.

It’s a timepiece that feels alive on the wrist — refined, exotic, and resolutely modern.

Finish, details and touches

The finishing of this Royal Oak is nothing short of sublime. Each link in the titanium bracelet is hand-finished, alternating between vertical satin brushing and high-polished bevels. The transitions are seamless — you can literally feel the craftsmanship with your fingertips.

The emerald bezel is set using the highest standards of gem-setting artistry, with every baguette stone cut to exact tolerance for perfect alignment and symmetry. Meanwhile, the openworked tourbillon cage reveals the depth of movement architecture — delicate yet robust, shimmering under light.

Even the screw-down crown and caseback finishing reinforce the Royal Oak identity: tool-like precision wrapped in haute couture execution.

Value, rarity and market position

With only 15 pieces made worldwide, this model sits firmly in the upper stratosphere of AP’s portfolio. Retail pricing is around CHF 290,000, but secondary market valuations have already surpassed that figure, underscoring its desirability.

More than a watch, it’s a statement of exclusivity — an object that bridges traditional fine watchmaking and modern design expression. For serious collectors, it represents the perfect storm of rarity, innovation, and aesthetic boldness.

Audemars Piguet has long mastered the art of limited editions that matter — not just in scarcity, but in substance. The Ref. 26532IC.EE.1220TI.01 is precisely that: an icon reimagined with restraint, vibrancy, and respect for its heritage.

Conclusion (our verdict)

The Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Ref. 26532IC.EE.1220TI.01 is a reminder that true luxury lies not in excess, but in execution. It combines the boldness of modern gem-setting, the refinement of titanium architecture, and the poetry of mechanical motion into one harmonious whole.

Every glance reveals something new — a flash of emerald fire, a ripple of brushed metal, a tourbillon spinning in silence. It’s the kind of piece that doesn’t just keep time; it defines it.

For collectors, it’s a grail. For enthusiasts, a dream. For Audemars Piguet, it’s proof that even after nearly 50 years, the Royal Oak continues to evolve — and still, somehow, astonish.