Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Carbon Concept2895 Instructions For Use Manual - page 7
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2. A
bout t
he w
atc
h
Eng
lish
Materials
Forged carbon for the case
The Tourbillon, Chronograph Royal Oak Concept Carbon
is based on the Royal Oak Concept model
brought out in 2002 for the 30
th
anniversary
of the Royal Oak collection. Aiming for
lightness and sturdiness, its designers
preferred a very dense carbon (52% fibres) to
either titanium or platinum. The nanofibres
of this ultra-light material are not woven
but compressed with a particular polymer
at a temperature of around 240°C and a
pressure of 7.5 tons per cm². The product of
this technology is a carbon watchcase that is
remarkably lightweight, sturdy and hard.
Light yet rigid, the resulting compressed
molecular structure makes this material
extremely strong mechanically and excep-
tionally stable in resisting thermal shocks.
Eloxed aluminium, PVD,
amorphous carbon and ceramics
The Tourbillon, Chronograph Royal Oak Concept Carbon
pioneers in the use of these new materials, widely used
in the aviation and motor industries.
The mainplate is made of green aluminium that has
been sapphire-blasted and eloxed to prevent direct
contact between the chronograph components and
the carbon.
The bridges are made of nickel silver with a black
PVD coating while the power-reserve cone is clad in
amorphous carbon coating that gives the material
extraordinarily high resistance to wear.
Research work in another field led to the develo-
pment of innovative ceramics. For the bezel, crown
and pushpieces, Audemars Piguet selected a ceramic
material with very specific physical properties. The
ceramic has undergone particularly delicate treat-
ments calling on all the knowhow of the Manufacture’s
engineers and watchmakers. The essential qualities of
this technical ceramic are its tremendous resistance to
friction and wear and its exceptionally smooth final
finish.