The Drop is Bezl’s fast-track news format — quick reads that bring you the latest releases in under 3 minutes.
The news
The Royal Oak RD#5 — ultra-thin innovation in a classic 39 mm Jumbo case.
The design
The RD#5 retains the iconic Royal Oak aesthetic — the 39 mm diameter and 8.1 mm thickness echo the classic Jumbo profile. The case is crafted from titanium along with Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) accents, giving it a futuristic edge. The dial is finished in “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” Petite Tapisserie with vintage-style script logo, and the chronograph pushers are notably low-travel and featherlight — AP says they require just about 300 g of force and 0.3 mm of travel, inspired by modern smartphone keys.
At just 8.1 mm thick, it houses both a flying tourbillon and flyback chronograph.
The movement
Inside sits the all-new Calibre 8100, a self-winding movement featuring a flying tourbillon, flyback chronograph functions, and a novel reset mechanism using spring-loaded racks instead of the typical hammer-and-heart cam arrangement. This architecture allows instantaneous reset and smoother operation while maintaining remarkable thinness. The peripheral rotor winding and compact design emphasize technical ambition.
The new Calibre 8100 — AP’s latest feat in ultra-thin engineering.
Smartphone-inspired pushers: only 0.3 mm travel and featherlight to activate.
Why it matters
RD#5 represents AP pushing boundaries in how we interact with mechanical complications. The integration of tactile, low-force pushers — normally taken for granted in digital devices — into a high-end chronograph is a bold move. It shows AP is not just chasing records in thinness or mechanical power, but rethinking the user experience at the intersection of tradition and modernity.
Bezl’s take
This is AP’s quiet revolution. The RD#5 feels like an evolution more than an eruption — a watch that wears like a classic but hides audacious engineering underneath. I’m especially looking forward to experiencing the new pushers, which AP says respond to your touch with virtually no resistance, yet still deliver the uncompromising feel of Audemars Piguet craftsmanship.
That they’ve managed to combine both a chronograph and a flying tourbillon in such a slim silhouette is remarkable. But it’s not the first time AP has redefined what’s possible — the brand already revolutionized the perpetual calendar in 2018 with the release of the ultra-thin Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin (RD#2). The RD#5 continues this lineage, proving AP’s mastery lies not only in technical complexity but also in pushing watchmaking forward in ways that remain wearable and true to the Royal Oak DNA.
Limited to 150 pieces worldwide, marking Audemars Piguet’s 150th anniversary.
Quick specs
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Case: 39 mm, titanium
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Thickness: 8.1 mm
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Water resistance: ~ 20 m (not designed for deep diving)
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Movement: Calibre 8100, automatic, flying tourbillon + flyback chronograph
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Power reserve: 72 hours
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Dial: Bleu Nuit Petite Tapisserie, AP 150th logo script
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Edition: Limited to 150 pieces
Price
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Retail CHF 260,000 (excluding VAT)
If you’re interested in the Royal Oak RD#5, visit Audemars Piguet’s official website — the best place to explore this groundbreaking Royal Oak, combining ultra-thin engineering with a flying tourbillon and flyback chronograph.
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Take a peek behind the scenes at Audemars Piguet — discover the engineering secrets of the RD#5.