After some waiting...

Super happy to finally receive my first Tourbillon piece, the AP RO Flying Tourbillon in Titanium. I feel this is a milestone piece for me - as I have never gone beyond complications like the Perpetual Calendar, and given my passion for AP I decided to make my first foray into higher complications with the brand.

In this case, it seems that there was a need to get approval from AP HQ on the basis of my history, and thankfully it was a pretty quick answer. I imagine for some of the pieces there are approval processes and databases to look for history Something for future reference for other collectors!

Anyway, overall feeling is incredible - titanium makes this extremely light and wearable, finishing is superb with high polish and matte surfaces across the case and bracelet, and I am quite enjoying the understated look of the sandblasted grey dial. The AP Logo is made using the galvanic labeling method - and is a "3D" like effect on top of the dial surface, adding a nice depth and dimension, alongside the hour markers.

At the centerpiece is the AP 2950 flying Tourbillon movement, which dominates the bottom half of the dial, and has a 70 hour power reserve. There are no seconds hands, but as many know the rotation of the Tourbillon cage revolves at exactly 60 seconds and so I can make some estimation of precise time.

What's surprising to me is the satisfying clink of the Tourbillon movement - which I didn't expect after so many years of wearing watches that somewhat diffuse the sound of the escapement. Does anybody else notice this on other watches? I can imagine if I slept with this watch, it may either be soothing or irritating - but for now I'm going to observe

Anyway, an exciting day for me and my collecting journey with AP. So many of you posted some new pieces so I started to become jealous yet hopeful this piece would come in! I hope to all of you that 2022 will be an incredibly successful year in your collecting journey.

Cheers!

Peter

Available on the marketplace

1,849 Audemars Piguet listings are live on the eBay market and 1477 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept 26589TI.GG.D006CA.01 Flying Tourbillon GMT

190,000 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

View all Audemars Piguet on the marketplace →

Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 White Gold Flying Tourbillon 26396BC.OO.D002CR.01

109,000 USD

Pre-owned - Excellent · US

Some photos...

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-18:03

...

Outstanding, Peter!

By: MichaelC : December 10th, 2021-18:08

HUGE congrats on this special Royal Oak! I have been considering an RO Tourbillon myself the past few months. The trio is wonderfully put together; I think you can safely declare mission accomplished!! But I also know your dedicated love for AP will bring...

Many thanks MichaelC...

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-18:51

I had a chance to peruse the archives and was looking specifically at your visit to APRP as a sort of inspiration. Many thanks for the kind words - I am hopeful to see a Tourbillon or something your heart desires soon!! I think 2022 you probably will have...

Congratulations …

By: Cpt Scarlet : December 10th, 2021-18:24

I hope you enjoy it in good health.

Thank you!!

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-18:52

With titanium and a screw down crown, I will actually try some sports and light swimming. I am somewhat motivated to keep the Tourbillon moving!! Cheers Peter

Great selection, and great line up!

By: systematic.entropy : December 10th, 2021-21:42

The execution on the tourb dial is very attractive, I like the monochromatic effect and the dial texture, absent of the traditional tapisserie. Fantastic!

Thanks much!

By: pfang56 : December 11th, 2021-06:23

After a day of observing the watch on the wrist, I’m appreciating the cool, understated, and industrial aesthetic of the watch, especially vis a vis the other pieces. Maybe slate grey and non-tapisserie is an unconventional combination for AP but IMHO it ...

Wow, fantastic, this watch looks

By: Gwai : December 11th, 2021-00:46

equally sober, in a technical kind of way, and romantic at the same time, at least to me. Very alluring, breathtaking even. Huge congratulations man! Cheers Marc

Thank you very much! Well said...

By: pfang56 : December 11th, 2021-06:33

A unique combination of contrasts and congruence which elicits the same emotions as you - in my head, appreciating the technical excellence and mastery - and in my heart - an incredible feeling of awe and excitement! Cheers Peter

Beautiful time piece! Congratulations!!

By: s_haverford : December 11th, 2021-08:28

I really like that dial. The texture is really interesting. And without a seconds hand, the Tourbillion gives it movement and a dynamic element.

Wow this is grail worthy, wonderful new acquisition my friend

By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : December 11th, 2021-08:34

Enjoy it in the best of health

Many thanks!!! It feels like an end destination watch...

By: pfang56 : December 11th, 2021-14:34

I'm feeling this could be the beginning of the end? Or the end of the beginning in my collecting journey? I was dabbling with the thought of going full AP across the board...have you considered this option? Cheers! Peter

Wow those three are a dream collection!

By: rip9er : December 11th, 2021-11:07

Congratulations the wait was definitely worth it.

Thanks so much!!

By: pfang56 : December 11th, 2021-14:37

Indeed, I know it's harder to do than to say...but sometimes the best may come to those who wait. I was very very tempted to go to another marque for my first Tourbillon, but am happy that I did not. Now I'm hopeful for a fruitful 2022 Cheers Peter

Beautiful...

By: mdg : December 10th, 2021-18:19

...usually I'm not a fan of seeing the tourbillon disrupt the dial layout. But in this case AP did a great job of integrating it into the watch. AP seems to do this better than most imho...

I do like the new flying Tourbillon models..

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-18:57

I think the bridge on the traditional models are beautiful when black polished, but having no bridge on the flying Tourbillon makes things more unobstructed and certainly makes it easier to measure seconds On the flip side, I did like the unobstructed vie...

Just phenomenal 😳 very happy for you 🥲

By: oyster case : December 10th, 2021-18:33

Thank you!

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-18:57

Appreciate the words. Feel very humbled and thankful. Cheers Peter

Congrats on what a beautiful trio!

By: jp884 : December 10th, 2021-18:53

Three's company!!

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-19:01

I find it nice to have three different complications, albeit more exotic (Titanium, Ceramic, and Rose Gold). While my other two APs are in RG, I am hoping next year will get me my first steel model in a long while. After this watch, I'm wondering if I'm a...

Beautiful piece, this titanium tourbillon! Congratulations!

By: BigAppleBill : December 10th, 2021-19:40

And the textured grey dial is a rare and intriguing departure from the usual tapisserie. Very attractive!

Thank you BigAppleBill..

By: pfang56 : December 10th, 2021-20:00

Just visited NYC and enjoyed it tremendously - especially for the food and natural energy of the town! Just like you said, I do like a little differentiation in the dial. While the evolutive tapisserie is phenomenal, it's nice to have a completely differe...