KIH
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SIHH 2015: Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Concept RD1 - Acoustic Research
Audemar Piguet Royal Oak Concept RD#1 - we heard a lot about this as pre-SIHH release, but had no idea what it was or how it would be. But seeing, no, hearing is believing. Without much detailed information available (still some patents applying), Audemars Piguet's SIHH booth has futuristic sound room where we were able to hear the sound of the prototype of this Royal Oak Concept RD#1. Simply impressive.
According to the press release:
A High-Definition Acoustic Masterpiece
Engineered within Audemars Piguet's acoustic research lab, this new Royal Oak Concept is the first chiming watch so acoustically considered as to become a sound concpt in its own right. It has been sonically developed through an ongoing acoustic study programme in collaboration with the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) and it took three years to transfer that technological study into a watch concept. The result is scientifically defined sonic targets for watchmakers to measure and attain the "perfect" minute repeater sound at a volume level never achieved before.......
From the inception of this project, it actually took EIGHT years, if I may add.
This is it! This was as close as I could get - only in the "chamber" below.
The "chamber" set in the corner of the booth - need to get the reservation, which itself was tough to enter. They call this "Acoustic Lab".
And the sound of it....
It is truly the combination of the good parts of the 19th century pocket watch, 1920's wrist watch minute repeater, and 1990's wrist watch minute repeater - loud, beautiful and clean sound, yet practical (20m water resistant).
There are so much we don't know yet about this model - but Audemars Piguet seems to be determined to make this on production as soon as possible.
Great innovation!
To be continued.....
That's it for today.
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-01-20 14:13:14
More posts:
SIHH 2015: Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Concept RD1 - Acoustic Research
Audemar Piguet Royal Oak Concept RD#1 - we heard a lot about this as pre-SIHH release, but had no idea what it was or how it would be. But seeing, no, hearing is believing. Without much detailed information available (still some patents applying), Audemar...
Wow!
Thanks for the post. That is awesome to hear the repeaters in a controlled setting. Regards, ED-209
AP has hit a horological grand slam with this watch.
I hope to get to see the Royal Oak Concept RD1 Acoustic Research up close one day!
Info
Hi Ken, thank you for your report, but I cant find the video !!! Please we need to see....help us ! Have a nice day Giancarlo
You're probably using an apple device which doesn't support java/flash?
If so, I think that's the reason why you can't see the video. - AT
Wow thanks for the great post Ken
I can't wait to hear this repeater in the flesh! Cheers, Anthony
Very interesting.
The RD1 has a completely different sound from any other AP repeater / sonnerie from the past. Seemed quite loud. Thanks for the video. JerryW
AP- great work!
In fact, the size of concept case is very close to pocket watch dimensions, naturally, repeater sound is expected to be loud and clean. I would like to see implementation of this know how in classic size wristwatch repeater producing the same quality soun...
bigger, louder, stronger
Really did it take 8 years to make a minute repeater to sound louder? Does anybody need to hear it in in the swimming pool or in the jacuzzi? a good friend of mine has an AP minute repeater PT case and he told me that this complication must be intimate an...
We rarely can hear MRs...
and especially compare them and live this kind of nice experience. So thanks a lot Ken for filming for us. I find the minutes maybe a little quick but otherwise the rythm is perfect, regular and the sound seems very clear and harmonious. Cheers Ken, Mark
Interesting video!
Thank you! I watched/listened to the entire video as it was a bit educational (and interesting) beyond the repeater sounds. I liked how the software used to measure the richness, clarity and sound level of the different minute repeaters. Obviously the bea...
Yup, maybe a bit too loud for some...
.. but kudos to their research, effort and the clear sound they reproduced. Ken
yes but no!
I love the sound, but don't like the design! The combination of colours is bland to me!! sorry!! but I love AP anyway; maybe I should see it!! Thanks for sharing!!
I recently tried this watch on my wrist
at Le Brassus, like many APs the photos don't do it justice.
