Audemars Piguet Makes Its Minute Repeaters Sing With New Supersonnerie Novelties
4 min read
Audemars Piguet brings the groundbreaking acoustic innovations of its 2016 Royal Oak Concept RD#1 to new interpretations of the Royal Oak and Code 11.59 collections, reaffirming the maison’s mastery of one of haute horlogerie’s most demanding complications. Originally conceived as a practical solution for telling time in the darkness of night, chiming watches have evolved into some of the most sophisticated expressions of mechanical watchmaking. Their appeal lies not only in the complexity of their construction but also in the extraordinary precision, sensitivity and craftsmanship required to produce a harmonious acoustic experience.
Creating a minute repeater is an exercise in watchmaking finesse, demanding an intimate understanding of the complication’s heritage alongside a willingness to challenge its technical boundaries. Even after centuries of refinement, there remains room to improve the way these remarkable mechanisms sound. For the uninitiated, a minute repeater uses internal hammers and gongs to sound the hours, quarter-hours and minutes on demand, activated by a slider on the case. A sonnerie, meanwhile, automatically chimes the hours and quarter-hours as time passes. Together, these functions transform the passage of time into a mechanical melody. With that in mind, let’s explore Audemars Piguet’s latest chiming creations.
The Supersonnerie Evolution
Audemars Piguet introduced its proprietary Supersonnerie technology in 2016 with the Royal Oak Concept RD#1, following eight years of research and development involving watchmakers, musicians and technologists. The innovation fundamentally reimagined the acoustic performance of a wristwatch. At its heart is a system that couples the gongs to an amplifying soundboard, while discreet openings in the solid caseback create a resonance chamber. The principle is reminiscent of the body of a musical instrument, allowing sound to travel with greater clarity and volume. The system also incorporates refined sound-enhancing construction techniques and a new approach to regulating the chiming mechanism.
Since then, Audemars Piguet has introduced several Supersonnerie models. Yet this latest trio feels particularly compelling for the way it balances acoustic innovation with the timeless elegance of traditional watchmaking. All three are powered by the manually wound Calibre 2953, offering a generous 72-hour power reserve.
Royal Oak, in Two Distinctive Tones
Two new 42mm models expand the Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie collection, each expressing the familiar design language of the iconic sports watch through a different material and dial combination. The first pairs a titanium case and integrated bracelet with a smoked green sunburst dial that gradually darkens towards the edges. The second, a first for the Royal Oak Supersonnerie, is crafted in 18-karat pink gold and features a rich brown dial with the collection’s signature Grande Tapisserie texture. Both feature a colour-matched small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock.
Apart from the sculpted minute repeater slide on the left side of the case, little hints at the extraordinary acoustic capabilities within. Instead, the watches retain the Royal Oak’s unmistakable blend of sporty proportions and refined luxury, from the octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws to the seamlessly integrated metal bracelets.
The two executions offer distinct yet equally appealing personalities. The smoked green dial brings a contemporary edge to the lightweight titanium model, while the brown Tapisserie dial complements the warmth and richness of pink gold. Choosing between them may prove difficult, although their respective price tags make one distinction rather clear.
The Code 11.59 Finds Its Voice
Completing the trio is a 41mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Minute Repeater Supersonnerie, extending a collection that first welcomed the Supersonnerie complication in 2023. The Code 11.59’s distinctive architecture, particularly its openworked lugs, provides a more contemporary canvas for the complication. Here, modern design elements meet traditional watchmaking in a composition that feels both expressive and refined.
The 18-karat white gold case features an exquisitely polished mid-case, framing a smoked sapphire dial that offers a subtle view of the Calibre 2953 beneath. As with the Royal Oak models, a discreet slider on the left side of the case activates the minute repeater on demand. The openworked lugs lend the watch its characteristic architectural appeal, while a large grey alligator strap introduces a more classical touch. Deeper metallic tones on the hour markers and small seconds sub-dial add contrast and legibility, completing a design that brings together contemporary aesthetics and traditional horological elegance.
Our Take
For collectors, these launches represent more than an expansion of Audemars Piguet’s chiming-watch portfolio. It marks the continued evolution of a complication that remains among the most technically challenging and emotionally rewarding in haute horlogerie. The Royal Oak Supersonnerie in titanium offers a particularly compelling proposition for those who value technical innovation paired with everyday wearability, while the pink gold edition brings an unmistakable sense of rarity and preciousness to the collection. The Code 11.59, meanwhile, appeals to collectors seeking a more contemporary expression of the minute repeater. Ultimately, these watches demonstrate why the Supersonnerie remains a significant chapter in modern watchmaking: it combines proprietary acoustic engineering, traditional craftsmanship and enduring collectability in a way few complications can match.
Inside The Minute Repeater: How Watchmakers Transform The Passage Of Time Into A Mechanical Symphony
