To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet unveils a technical and aesthetic triumph — the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5. This milestone creation fuses the Maison’s design purity with a breakthrough in ergonomic performance, redefining the chronograph for the modern collector.
Developed over five years by Audemars Piguet’s Research & Development department, the RD#5 houses the all-new Calibre 8100, a patented movement that combines a flyback chronograph and flying tourbillon within an ultra-slim 8.1 mm profile. It is a feat of mechanical ingenuity and sculptural beauty — light, powerful, and uncompromisingly refined.
Design meets performance in perfect proportion
The new RD#5 exemplifies how form and function coexist in harmony. Crafted in titanium and bulk metallic glass (BMG), the case and bracelet balance strength with lightness, while polished bevels and satin finishes create an interplay of textures that shimmer under light.
The iconic “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Petite Tapisserie dial exudes understated sophistication, accented by rhodium-toned counters and 18-carat white-gold hands. Sapphire “glass box” crystals on both the dial and caseback preserve the iconic Royal Oak silhouette, while allowing a full view of the movement within — a modern sculpture of precision.
A revolution beneath the dial
At the core of this new generation chronograph lies the Calibre 8100, a movement entirely re-engineered for ergonomic comfort and precision. Its rack-and-pinion zero-reset system, a first in haute horlogerie, replaces the traditional hammer and heart design, ensuring instant, seamless returns to zero with minimal energy loss.
With its short-travel, low-force push-pieces, the RD#5 introduces a tactile experience inspired by smartphone ergonomics, delivering smooth control and exceptional feedback. The result: a chronograph that feels instinctive to use, yet houses over 379 components within a 4 mm-thin architecture — a mechanical symphony of restraint and innovation.
A new chapter in the RD saga
The RD#5 continues a legacy of innovation that has defined the Audemars Piguet Research & Development series — from the acoustically refined RD#1, to the ultra-thin perpetual RD#2, the sleek flying tourbillon RD#3, and the Universelle RD#4, the most complex wristwatch in the Maison’s history.
Now, with RD#5, Audemars Piguet has redefined the future of the chronograph — enhancing both its ergonomics and emotional connection with the wearer.
“The RD#5 brings together all the hallmarks of a refined chronograph — from touch-sensitive push-pieces to remarkable thinness — entirely reimagined for today’s collectors,” says Giulio Papi, Director of Watchmaking Design, Audemars Piguet.
Marking 150 years of innovation, the Royal Oak “Jumbo” RD#5 stands not only as a celebration of horological excellence but also as a declaration of what lies ahead — where artistry, precision, and comfort coexist in perfect balance.
