AllThingsWatches
818
I remember this in NY when we met so many years ago.
so cool Hope you are well Thomas.
From a second prototype test batch - 1 of 4 Royal Oak Offshores
This was from phase two of the special project I worked on with Francois Bennahmias and Georges-Henri Meylan back in the early 2000's Phase 1 was two Royal Oak Chronographs Both of these remain in my possession Phase 2 was four Offshores and ten case comp...
Lol neither. AP decided not to move forward with the project.
And continued with PVD and Ceramic instead. So these are rather special unicorns...
Testing new materials treatment technologies
And combining them with and without coating processes. This and the RO Chrono were uncoated. The surface hardness (down to 20+ microns) was hardened to that of ceramic and diamond without the attendant brittleness. Addressed delamination problems inherent...
Lol that was my role!
š I brought the technology and idea to them, GHM, FHB, and OB were intrigued enough to ask me to produce test parts for 10 complete watches. The ones on my wrists are nearly 20 years old and have been around the world over 10 times - in tight race and spo...
You are one of the few people in the world who has seen
3 from this project. Hope all's well!
Can we talk about it now? š
Thomas, I'd forgotten about the project. We were thinking about a special edition if it came true. Now, modern coating treatments have improved, including incorporatin of Nitrogen and Carbon atoms into steel surface. Maybe, the old technique is defunct? O...
The window has closed...
The window was open when the technology and company were declassified. The company (and its proprietary technology) have been reclassified. And to be honest, other technologies have improved to the point this may not be best solution anymore... So these a...
How cool!
I love the colours and would be highly interested in the details of the metal treatment used. Marcus
The treatment actually restructures the surface molecular lattices
Rather than simply applies a coating. For something as complex and tightly toleranced as the Royal Oak and it's bracelet, coatings can be problematic. The amazing thing about these specimen is how subtle and smooth the bracelets remain, only possible if t...
Thanks a lot!
I think I have read somewhere about that rearranging the molecular structure/positioning technology. Thrilling. Marcus
Nope, that's not what I wrote.
It is a specially treated steel, not an applied coating, and is HIGHLY resistant to cratching and flaking. I dont know where you got the last part about friction; my only reference to friction in this thread was that any coating changes tolerances and the...
just the play of grammer - 'The amazing thing about these specimen is how subtle and smooth the bracelets remain, only possible if they remain friction free both dimensionally and topically (ie friction free surfaces)'
was written/read as the bracelets remain smooth, only possible if they remain friction free (and not otherwise). Glad you clarified that It is a stunning piece and does luk like ceramic.
Lol no problem. Thanks, and in fact it DOESN'T look like ceramic.
Hi, I never liked ceramic because until very recently it was too shiny, looked like plastic, and was too smooth - until recently they werent able to get any other "finish" The great success of the pieces from this project was that they maintained the surf...
"Dawn of the Day"... I think that it was Anthony named this version
What a truly special Offshore. The color depicted in the images is hard to describe... perhaps gunmetal? Whatever we call it, the appearance is fabulous. Hope you will continue to share these pieces from the TM Archives! ;-)
Thanks. DAWN OF A NEW DAY is so APRO-pos
(Get it? APRO and apropos š) AT's was darker than the ones shown and the AP ROC specimen, but still gorgeous, imho
Yup I named mine the "Dawn of the New Day"
First pic is my photoshop creation when I was playing around with dial color & hand color variations. This one ended up being the final creation ...
I remember this in NY when we met so many years ago.
so cool Hope you are well Thomas.
Very cool indeed...
and in my colours Actually the case is a little softer looking on the eyes than some of the solid blacks that have come along recently with ceramic, dlc, etc and its very nice. Enjoy! Cheers Andrew
I couldn't agree more. On the ROC there is a purple hue
That comes out under certain lighting and angles.
Those coatings have held up really well
Must have been a great experience to be part of this project
Great Post !!!
Hello Thomas, hope you are well and enjoy life, my friend !!! I remember this time very well - and really amazing that the condition is still such great ! Wow ! VERY very cool watch - glad you enjoy !! All the best ! Werner
Of course, understand that :)
black color just reminded me how we miss ceramic offshores in 42mm line...
