2023 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 26531TI Flying Tourbillon Salmon

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a watch that requires no introduction. An icon of horology, design, and engineering, the Royal Oak has defined avant-garde watchmaking since its debut in 1972. In a constant state of gradual evolution, thanks to AP’s careful stewardship, the Royal Oak has been home to some incredible variants over the decades. Created as a limited edition of just 30 pieces, the Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon ref. 26531TI that we have here is amongst the finest of those variants. Launched in 2021 and crafted from lightweight titanium, the ref. 26531TI features a 41mm case that maintains the Royal Oak’s iconic octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet design. However, like so many other Royal Oak variants, the ref. 26531TI’s dial is what steals the show. Boasting a rich salmon color, the Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon swaps the collection’s traditional squared “Tapisserie” pattern for the new “Evolutive Tapisserie” that AP introduced to the Royal Oak’s tourbillon-wielding models in 2018. Radiating out from the dial’s flying tourbillon aperture at 6 o’clock, this new pattern serves as a subtle means to highlight the ref. 26531TI’s eponymous complication. Powered by the automatic cal. 2950 movement, the ref. 26531TI showcases Audemars Piguet’s exceptional attention to detail, artisanal craftsmanship, and extraordinary finishing thanks to its exhibition caseback, which reveals the cal. 2950’s labyrinthine construction.