A minute repeater must do more than tell time: it must translate the hours and minutes into sound, with every note shaped by the mechanics of the movement and the acoustics of the case. Audemars Piguet has spent years rethinking that challenge. First introduced in 2016 with the Royal Oak Concept RD#1, its Supersonnerie technology now appears in three new watches across the Royal Oak and Code 11.59 collections.
The launch also takes a quieter direction. Alongside the three chiming models are two 38 mm Code 11.59 Selfwinding watches with dials cut from gold obsidian and black onyx. Together, the five references showcase contrasting expressions of the Manufacture’s craft: precision engineering designed to be heard, and natural stone finished to draw the eye.
Supersonnerie, in three new forms
Developed over eight years with contributions from watchmakers, musicians, and researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Supersonnerie reworks how a wristwatch produces and projects its chime. Its patented construction combines gongs attached to a soundboard with a redesigned case architecture and a new regulator.
All three new repeaters use manual-winding Calibre 2953. The 30 mm movement is 6 mm thick and comprises 362 components and 32 jewels. It beats at 3 Hz and offers at least 72 hours of power reserve.
The first new 42 mm Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie pairs a titanium case with a smoked green sunburst dial. The green tone deepens towards the perimeter, continuing onto the small seconds display. White gold Royal Oak hands and silver-toned pink gold hour markers, filled with luminescent material, complete the dial.
Titanium extends across the 14 mm case, screw-down crown and caseback, and integrated bracelet. Alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces bring definition to the lightweight metal. The watch is water-resistant to 20 metres.
For the first time, the Royal Oak Supersonnerie is also offered in 18-carat pink gold. The 42 mm case, crown, caseback, and integrated bracelet share the same warm finish, while a brown Grande Tapisserie dial and matching small seconds counter create a unified palette. Pink gold hands and luminescent hour markers carry the tone through the display. The case is 14 mm thick and water-resistant to 20 metres.
The third repeater brings Supersonnerie to a new 41 mm Code 11.59 case in 18-carat white gold. Its polished case middle emphasises the metal’s brightness, while the caseback serves as the soundboard, with fine openings forming part of the resonance chamber.
A smoked sapphire dial offers a view of Calibre 2953 beneath the surface. Galvanic-grown detailing adds texture to the minute track and small seconds border, set against white gold baton hands and a silver-toned snailed inner bezel. Measuring 13.6 mm thick, the case is water-resistant to 20 metres. A grey alligator strap and white gold folding clasp finish the watch.
Two Code 11.59 watches shaped by stone
The two 38 mm Code 11.59 Selfwinding models share a 9.6 mm case, double-curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, and sapphire caseback. Both are water-resistant to 30 metres and powered by self-winding Calibre 5909, a 3.9 mm-thick movement that runs at 4 Hz and provides a 60-hour power reserve.
In the first, a gold obsidian dial sits within an 18-carat yellow gold case. Mineral inclusions within the stone catch the light, while a sunburst finish lends its dark surface added dimension. A brown inner bezel, yellow gold hands, and a black alligator strap with a yellow gold pin buckle complete the warm-toned design.
The second version is built around a mirror-polished black onyx dial, set in an 18-carat pink gold case. Baguette-cut diamond hour markers, totalling approximately 0.37 carats, bring a bright contrast to the stone’s deep black surface. Pink gold hands and a black alligator strap with a matching pin buckle finish the composition.
The five new watches are priced as follows:
- Code 11.59 Minute Repeater Supersonnerie (Ref. 26395BC.OO.D009CR.01): CHF 325,000 (approximately US$397,000)
- Titanium Royal Oak (Ref. 26591TI.OO.1252TI.08): CHF 351,100 (approximately US$429,000)
- Pink gold Royal Oak (Ref. 26591OR.OO.1252OR.01): CHF 391,400 (approximately US$479,000)
- Gold obsidian Code 11.59 (Ref. 77410BA.OO.A604CR.01): US$57,500
- Black onyx Code 11.59 (Ref. 77410OR.OO.A001CR.01): US$68,500
