Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26522OR

In-Depth Review

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26522OR in 18K rose gold is the ultimate expression of the Royal Oak as a haute horlogerie platform. Gerald Genta's iconic octagonal design, introduced in 1972 as a revolutionary luxury sports watch, has proven remarkably adaptable to high complications, and the flying tourbillon variant demonstrates this perfectly. The manually wound Caliber 2924 is engineered to be as thin as possible, allowing the complete watch to maintain the slim profile that makes the Royal Oak so comfortable on the wrist despite its 41mm footprint. The openworked dial reveals the movement architecture in full, with the tourbillon cage visible at six o'clock and every bridge finished to the extraordinary standard expected at this level.

The full 18K rose gold construction -- case and integrated bracelet -- gives this Royal Oak a warm, commanding presence. The tapisserie pattern, rendered here on the remaining dial elements and visible bridges, connects the piece to the broader Royal Oak family while the tourbillon elevates it decisively above the time-only and chronograph models. The Caliber 2924 operates at 3 Hz with approximately 70 hours of power reserve, which is generous for a tourbillon of this thinness. Water resistance is 20 meters, essentially splash-proof, which is the one concession to the complication's delicacy.

At $180,000 MSRP, the 26522OR trades around $165,000 on the secondary market, reflecting the reality that rose gold Royal Oaks, even complicated ones, do not generate the same frenzied premiums as their steel counterparts. For the buyer, this is excellent news: it means acquiring a genuine AP tourbillon with the world's most recognizable luxury watch design at a slight discount to retail. Comparable alternatives include the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon in steel, which offers better water resistance at a lower entry point, and the Blancpain Carrousel, though neither carries the Royal Oak's cultural weight. This watch is for the collector who has owned the Royal Oak 15500 or 26331 and wants to ascend to the pinnacle of the collection.