More Updates to the 2022 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Collection From 37mm "Crown Prince" to 41mm Refinement Sports Chronograph Never change the winning team. At Le Brassus, Audemars Piguet came up with a better idea - updating its winning team. When Nautilus was confiscated, it left the pitch wide open, allowing the Royal Oaks to sweep and snatch the gold. That's exactly what it's doing by introducing more updated versions in the 2022 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection. There's a revamped "Jumbo," of course, but the star player is supported by a wide range of capable teammates, all with their own special skills.

The groundbreaking Royal Oak is celebrating its 50th anniversary. That's why Audemars Piguet has launched an updated version of the watch designed by Gérald Genta, first released in 1972. But after the saga, AP also showcased a range of other Royal Oak models, proving that the design is just as fresh and relevant as ever.

2022 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Family - What's in the Lineup?
Since 2022 is a very special year for Royal Oak, all new models produced this year will feature special rotors. It's a skeletonized wobble mass showing "50 Years" to commemorate the birth of the Royal Oak five years ago. It will also always remind the wearer that this watch comes from a special year in the history of watchmaking. Maybe it's a bit gimmicky, but it's also a very smart idea if you ask me.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37 - The Crown Prince is about to take the throne
Yes, the new Royal Oak Skeleton Tourbillon is stunning and impressive, but the biggest surprise of the new collection – aside from the updated “Jumbo”, of course – is the 37mm version. The medium size shows great potential, especially the version with the Bleu Nuit dial. This is the original dial colour of the Royal Oak developed by renowned dial maker Stern Frères. The colour combined with the remarkably textured Grande Tapisserie pattern on the dial gives me a huge presence that looks like a crown prince in the 2022 Royal Oak Collection.

If blue isn't your thing, there are plenty of other options to choose from, from forest green to light grey, as well as Petite Tapisserie or Grande Tapisserie dial patterns. A nice little change is that the minute track is on the Tapisserie itself, no longer on the flange around the dial. The Royal Oak 37 is available in stainless steel, rose gold and a two-tone combination of rose gold and steel. There are also versions with diamonds for all possible needs.

More presence, more comfort
Another new feature of the 37mm reference 15550 is the larger bevels on the top and bottom of the watch. The result is a more pronounced distinction between polished and brushed surfaces, giving the watch a more presence.

The bracelet has also received some tweaks. The shape of the first four links is now trapezoidal rather than parallel, resulting in a more elegant look. It also helps that the bracelet is actually thinner and lighter than previous versions. AP has made this bracelet in rose gold, but now the new stainless steel version will also have this sleeker, slimmer bracelet. Also helpful to the overall wrist feel of the 37mm Royal Oak is that the caseback is now more integrated into the case. The result is a case height of 8.9mm.

The heart of the new Royal Oak 15550 series
Inside the case, the 29-jewel calibre 5900 is visible through the sapphire caseback. It is an automatic movement made by Vaucher, not the AP itself, which replaces the 5800 calibre.

Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph 38 and 41
The sportier 38mm and 41mm Royal Oak Self-Winding Chronographs have been subtly altered to reveal the refined side of this luxury sports watch. The minute track of both new chronographs is flush with the Tapisserie. It creates more room for textures and colorful dials to shine.

Beneath the dial of the Royal Oak 38 sits the trusty Caliber 2385, a movement based on the Frédéric Piguet 1185. The 41mm chronographs are technically more interesting because they feature the 4401 movement in-house. It is the latest generation of the automatic flyback AP (finally) chronograph movement that was introduced last year.

What is your favorite number?
Audemars Piguet presents five new 38mm chronographs and twelve 41mm versions. As you might expect, the reference number has changed. The new 38 x 11mm model uses base reference number 26715. The 41 × 12.4mm model now has a number starting with 26240. I'm giving you these numbers so you don't get lost in the online market for a 37mm "Crown Prince" or one of those chronographs.

Dial in just right
Again, if you will, there are few updates or improvements to the two new chronograph models. They are updates that enhance the luxurious properties of the Royal Oak. Just like all of these 2022 RO watches continue to learn, develop and evolve along the way without changing the prototype foundation on which they were built. Sometimes in the past, some dial colors from AP have raised my eyebrows. But the variety of new dial colors you can choose from in the 2022 Royal Oak collection varies. The new colors are impressive in a subtle (color) way. Green stands out for its natural look, while the reintroduced "Bleu Nuit" dial stands out for its historic significance. It also has a timeless beauty that is simply untouchable.