Marking a milestone in Swiss haute horlogerie, Audemars Piguet celebrates its 150th anniversary with the unveiling of the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5, a timepiece that elevates both technical sophistication and ergonomic design. Developed over five years by the Manufacture’s Research & Development teams, this limited-edition creation merges iconic aesthetics with a new standard of tactile comfort, setting a benchmark for modern chronographs. At the heart of the RD#5 lies the all-new Calibre 8100, whose mechanics have been entirely reimagined and patented, offering collectors a combination of performance, precision, and design innovation that is unprecedented. Crafted from titanium and bulk metallic glass, the watch balances lightness, durability, and a subtle brilliance that complements its refined silhouette.
The Royal Oak “Jumbo” has long been an emblem of bold proportions and enduring elegance, designed by Gérald Genta in 1972 and instantly earning its nickname. Now, for the first time in its 50-year history, the “Jumbo” unites a selfwinding chronograph with a flying tourbillon, presenting a dual complication that preserves its iconic 39 mm diameter and 8.1 mm thickness while enhancing the tactile experience of its functions. Every element of the chronograph has been meticulously redesigned to achieve a sensation of effortless use, minimizing resistance while maintaining mechanical complexity. The result is a watch that embodies refined visual simplicity and ergonomic sophistication, seamlessly integrating performance with the aesthetic legacy of the Royal Oak.
Ergonomics guided every stage of the RD#5’s development, from movement to case design. Traditional chronograph push-pieces, often requiring significant pressure and long travel, have been re-engineered to mimic the intuitive responsiveness of smartphone buttons, reducing travel to 0.3 mm and force to 300 grams. The crown features a discreet function selector with a visual indicator, replacing conventional mechanisms while honoring the original design. Hollowed sapphire ‘glass box’ crystals on both dial and caseback create space for movement and rotation, preserving the watch’s thin profile and enhancing wearer comfort.
“With this innovation, Audemars Piguet has reinterpreted the chronograph to enhance its ease of use,” says Giulio Papi, Director of Watchmaking Design. The RD#5 can store energy when the chronograph is activated and release it upon reset, enabling short-travel, low-force push-pieces that deliver unmatched smoothness. This visionary approach allows the wearer to engage with the watch in a manner as intuitive as interacting with a smartphone, marking a new chapter in the Maison’s history of horological ingenuity.
Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, emphasizes that the RD#5 embodies both the brand’s technical mastery and its dedication to aesthetic refinement: “Our aim was to offer enthusiasts a complicated watch that is both comfortable and easy to use, suited for today’s lifestyle while paying homage to the original ‘Jumbo’.” The 150-piece limited edition stands as a testament to the Manufacture’s five decades of innovation and its ongoing pursuit of ergonomic excellence.
The Royal Oak “Jumbo” RD#5 is more than a chronograph; it is a dialogue between past and future, where mechanical elegance meets contemporary comfort. By pushing the boundaries of both design and function, Audemars Piguet delivers a timepiece that is at once a collector’s dream and a wearable masterpiece, poised to define the next era of haute horlogerie.
