BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
Lots of folks in the comments sections of Audemars Piguet articles across the internet criticise the maison for “making the same watch over and over again”, or words to that effect. It is true that Audemars Piguet sticks with the Royal Oak for the majority of its model range, and it is also true that the Royal Oak saved them from going under in the 1970s. However, to boil down Audemars Piguet’s range to only making “the same watch” again and again is to ignore the steps taken to diversify the Royal Oak range.
For summer 2026, Audemars Piguet introduces the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon in a new ceramic colour called “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”. Ceramic cases and bracelets have been a cornerstone in the Royal Oak range for a while now, they’re certainly some of the best-looking offerings, not least because they keep the classic octagonal case with brushed and polished details while being a solid ceramic colour.
“Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” translates to “Midnight Blue, Cloud 50” and it’s a colour that was originally used for the dial of the Royal Oak Jumbo when that came out. Now that darkened blue colour, produced by introducing black pigment number 50 into the blue mix, takes up not only the classy tapissérie guilloché dial, but also the 40mm x 10.6mm ceramic case and bracelet.
Visible on the dial is the flying tourbillon of the calibre 2950, and behind that sits the rest of the self-winding movement. A 3Hz beat rate, a 65-hour power reserve and 27 jewels are the specs for the calibre 2950, which has a 22k gold rotor with a rhodium finish, as is tradition for Swiss watches. Although I have yet to see it up close, the finishing will undoubtedly be of the highest quality. I think Audemars Piguet has made real strides in modernising its movements and moving to more in-house work, and that’s benefitted them in so many ways, including the aesthetic department.
Overall, the new Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Bleu Nuit is a classy dark blue affair, and it’s something that wouldn’t look out of place when paired with a fancy suit. It’s definitely more of a dress watch than a regular Royal Oak, though, with just 50m of water resistance. That said, I’m sure it’ll be adorning at least one wrist at whatever the next film festival is. I wonder if Doctor Mike (YouTuber and internet personality) has one? If he does, he’ll be one of the few people to know the price, as it’s available only on demand – it’s not a limited edition piece, though.
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