MichaelC introduces the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher, a groundbreaking timepiece developed over five years. This article highlights the watch's unique mechanical complication, designed specifically for motorsport to measure consecutive lap times, a challenge previously unmet in mechanical horology. MichaelC's post provides an in-depth look at the watch's functionality and its significance as the first movement developed from scratch at an ambassador's behest by Audemars Piguet.
ROYAL OAK CONCEPT LAPTIMER MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
Ref: 26221FT.OO.D002CA.01
In 2010, F1 legend and Audemars Piguet ambassador Michael Schumacher posed an apparently simple question to the engineers at Audemars Piguet: would it be possible to create a mechanical wrist watch designed specifically for use in motorsport which would make it possible to measure and record an extended series of consecutive lap times?
It was a horological challenge that had never before been met in a mechanical watch, and one that was inspired by motor racing's very specific requirement to be able to time and compare multiple, consecutive laps - a task which has traditionally been carried out using a bank of two or more stop watches arranged in series. Now, after almost five years of development, Audemars Piguet can claim to have conquered that challenge.
It is the first motorsport-specific watch to feature a complication imagined by the celebrated driver, with two angular indexing systems on a single chronograph, each with an independent memory. It is also the first time that a movement has been developed from scratch at the behest of an ambassador by Audemars Piguet – an indication of the strength of the long-standing relationship which the Manufacture has enjoyed with Michael Schumacher since 2010.
The timepiece features a single chronograph driving two central hands which can be controlled independently via three pushpieces - the first sited at the conventional two o’clock position to start and stop the chronograph; the second sited at the four o’clock position to re-set the chronograph, and the all-important third pushpiece sited at the nine o’clock position.
This third pushpiece makes it possible to simultaneously stop either of the two chronograph hands, while returning the other hand to zero and restarting it - meaning that, while the time of the most recent lap is being noted down, timing of the next lap is already underway. The watch therefore negates the need for two or more hand-held timing devices, streamlining the operation within a single wrist chronograph.
Alternatively, the watch can keep a certain lap time as reference, stopping one hand with the laptimer button, and using the flyback function on the other chronograph hand with the pusher at 4 o’clock to restart the measurement of each new lap.
Finally, the timepiece can be used as a “standard” flyback chronograph with both hands running together in parallel.
The Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher is the world’s first mechanical chronograph with alternating consecutive lap timing and flyback function, specifically designed and engineered for continuous action and relentless precision in timing laps on the racetrack. It will be the second Audemars Piguet chronograph to carry the name of the celebrated driver, and in honour of his extraordinary career, the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher will be made available in a strictly limited edition of 221 examples in recognition of the number of F1 World Championship point-winning races in which he competed.
"Michael has always been a watch lover and connoisseur. Like any engineer who is driven by details and by discovering tailor-made solutions to specific problems, he is fascinated by the technology and craftsmanship that goes into all Audemars Piguet watches," says Sabine Kehm, Michael Schumacher's agent.
“Michael is rightly famous for his sense of meticulousness, both in his work with the engineers and also in his determination and ability to race against every second. Thus, a mechanical watch which is not only beautiful but also an accurate instrument for timing motorsport does perfectly correspond to the high technology and precision which are so dear to him. It reflects the same spirit of determination and innovation on which he built his career as a F1 driver.” says Jean Todt, close friend of Michael Schumacher and President of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ROYAL OAK CONCEPT LAPTIMER MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
Laptimer and Flyback Chronograph / Continuous lap timing and flyback
Limited edition: 221 pieces
DIAMETER
44 mm
REFERENCE
26221FT.OO.D002CA.01
CALIBRE
Hand-wound Manufacture calibre 2923. Laptimer Chronograph
MOVEMENT
Total diameter: 34.60mm (15 1/3 lines)
TOTAL THICKNESS
12.70mm
NUMBER OF JEWELS
34
NUMBER OF PARTS
413
MINIMAL GUARANTEED POWER RESERVE
80 hours
FREQUENCY OF BALANCE WHEEL
4 Hz, 28'800 vibrations/hour
FUNCTIONS
Laptimer chronograph with double central second hands, flyback, 30 minutes counter, small seconds, hours and minutes
CASE
Forged carbon case
Curved glareproofed sapphire crystal
Titanium caseback with glareproofed sapphire crystal
Titanium bezel
Ceramic and 18-carat pink gold screw-locked crown
Black ceramic and 18-carat pink gold pushpieces
Black ceramic Laptimer pushpiece with MS logo
Titanium pushpiece guards
Bracelet: Black rubber strap with titanium AP folding clasp
DIAL
Openworked black dial
30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
White gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating
Black inner bezel
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About Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturers still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Since 1875, the company has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, numerous masterpieces are created in limited series embodying a remarkable degree of horological perfection, including daring sporty models, classic and traditional timepieces, splendid ladies’ jewellery-watches, as well as one-of-a-kind creations.
This message has been edited by MichaelC on 2015-05-23 12:12:48 
