Audemars Piguet 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD#3 White Gold Smoked Blue Dial Watch

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon RD#3 – Ref. 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01

Introduced in 2024, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra‑Thin RD#3 (Ref. 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01) reinterprets the iconic 37 mm Royal Oak silhouette in luxurious 18 k white gold. Featuring a smoked‑blue “Petite Tapisserie” dial and a distinct baguette‑cut diamond-set bezel, this timepiece marries refined jewelry-making with horological innovation. Powering the design is the groundbreaking ultra-thin automatic Calibre 2968, complete with a visible flying tourbillon—an exceptional technical achievement in modern watchmaking.

Case & Dial

• Material & Dimensions: Crafted entirely from 18‑carat white gold, the 37 mm octagonal Royal Oak case maintains a slim 8.1 mm height—honoring the “Jumbo” ethos while offering modern comfort. Featuring sapphire crystals front and back, it ensures both durability and clarity.
• Water Resistance: Rated to 50 meters, it combines elegant form with practical resilience.
• Dial Features: The smoked-blue “Petite Tapisserie” dial showcases tonal texture, while baton hands and baguette diamond hour markers offer refined contrast and legibility. The flying tourbillon is prominently displayed at 6 o’clock, emphasizing its mechanical artistry.

Bezel & Bracelet

Encircling the dial is a bezel adorned with premium baguette-cut diamonds, lending the watch a distinguished sparkle that enhances its luxurious white-gold framework. Complementing this, the integrated bracelet is crafted from matching white gold and secured with an AP folding clasp—delivering both cohesion and comfort.

Movement: Calibre 2968

• Ultra-Thin Automatic Tourbillon: Calibre 2968 is an industry milestone—the world’s first automatic flying tourbillon movement integrated into a 37 mm Royal Oak, measuring just 3.4 mm thick.
• Technical Specifications: Operating at 3 Hz (21,600 vph), this 226-component movement houses 30 jewels and delivers an impressive 50-hour power reserve. The movement’s display back highlights AP’s meticulous finishing.
• Innovation Highlight: The RD#3 challenge culminated in marrying automatic winding and flying tourbillon complexity with a super-slim caliber—without compromising Royal Oak proportions.

Unique Characteristics

The Ref. 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 stands apart as the first white-gold RD#3 model, delivering stellar craftsmanship through its diamond-set bezel and smoked-blue petite tapisserie dial. Its compact 37 mm case offers a more refined wearability without sacrificing statement. The ultra-thin Calibre 2968, combined with a flying tourbillon, cements its place as a mechanical marvel and a collector’s gem.

Technical Summary

• Reference: 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01
• Case: 37 mm white gold; 8.1 mm thick; 50 m WR
• Dial: Smoked-blue Petite Tapisserie, baguette diamond markers
• Movement: Calibre 2968 automatic; flying tourbillon; 3 Hz; ~50‑h PR
• Bracelet: White gold integrated with AP clasp

Collector Appeal

This Royal Oak RD#3 iteration is a sublime expression of technical mastery and design ambition. Its unique combination of a white-gold case, diamond bezel, smoked-blue dial, and self-winding flying tourbillon places it in the highest echelon of luxury watchmaking. Perfect for collectors seeking innovation in a classically elegant Royal Oak silhouette that blends heritage, elegance, and mechanical excellence.

Conclusion 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon RD#3 Ref. 26660BC.ZZ.1356BC.01 is more than a timepiece—it’s a statement. It delivers ground-breaking caliber architecture in a refined, luxurious package. With its combination of diamond brilliance, mechanical innovation, and pared-back dimensions, it’s destined to become a modern Royal Oak icon.