"Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" - the iconic blue colour from Audemars Piguet is now also available in ceramic

"Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" - the iconic blue colour from Audemars Piguet is now also available in ceramic

The Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has been inspired by its color “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” to create a new ceramic color.

The color, which translates as midnight blue cloud, is inspired by the dark blue of the night sky in the Vallée de Joux, the home of the manufactory founded 150 years ago.

Midnight blue for the first “Royal Oak”

In 1972, this inspired Gérald Genta to reproduce such a nuance for the dial of the first "Royal Oak" (model 5402). At that time, Geneva-based dial maker Stern developed the color "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" by adding the black pigment No. 50 to the protective lacquer (zapon varnish). The "cloud effect" is created by the chemical reaction when the small amount of black color is poured into the liquid lacquer.

Since the hue varies depending on the duration and temperature of the galvanic bath, reproducing this blue color is a complex process. Today, the "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" dials are produced using a PVD process to ensure a uniform color.

“Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” in ceramic

This shade now colors the ceramics of three models in the "Royal Oak" and "Royal Oak Offshore" collections. The midnight blue ceramic complements the color palette already available in the collections, including black, electric blue, green, and brown.

"The skies of the Vallée de Joux have played a significant role in Audemars Piguet's history: they inspired the 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' color, which is now one of Audemars Piguet's hallmarks. This new ceramic pays homage to the region and its talents, as well as to our constant quest for innovation," says CEO Ilaria Resta.

Ceramic is lightweight, scratch-resistant, and difficult to work with due to its extreme hardness. It has been part of the brand's product range since 1986. It is one of the oldest materials used by humanity, dating back to the Neolithic period, when it was used for pottery for practical purposes. Continuous research into this material ultimately led to the development of ceramics with properties that are giving rise to new applications every day, finding applications in fields as diverse as construction, aerospace, electronics, medicine, telecommunications, robotics, and watchmaking.

Ceramics – a demanding material

To ensure a homogeneous tone of the color “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” across the entire watch and to ensure reproducibility, the application for ceramics required several years of development.

Each watch component undergoes numerous production steps, including machining, sintering, and finishing. This final step is performed by hand by Audemars Piguet artisans. Despite their hard and fragile nature, they give the ceramic components the same high-quality finish as precious metals. Alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces further enhance the depth of color. They create plays of light and underline the multifaceted architecture of the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore cases.

Three models “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”

"Development and innovation in ceramics are at the heart of Audemars Piguet's projects. In particular, with the use of the iconic 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' color for all components of the watch, the company continually pushes the boundaries of its color expertise," explains Thibaut Le Loarer, Head of Research at Audemars Piguet.

“Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked”

The 41-millimeter "Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked" model is crafted entirely of ceramic in the new blue color. The monochrome aesthetic highlights the rhodium-plated, openworked movement, which is positioned at dial level beneath the sapphire crystal, creating a striking visual contrast. The latter is emphasized by rose gold details such as the hands and hour markers.

The self-winding Caliber 3132 with a 45-hour power reserve features the double balance mechanism patented by AP in 2016, which gives the watch greater precision and stability. By incorporating two balance wheels and two hairsprings mounted on the same axis, the mechanism oscillates in perfect synchronization.

Both from the dial side and through the transparent caseback, the mechanism offers a privileged view of the beating heart of the watch, while the openwork bridges reveal some components of the gear train.

The "Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked" is worn on a new ceramic bracelet. The pins connecting the lugs to the links are now seamlessly integrated, creating an elegant appearance. (RRP €99,900)

“Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Automatic”

The 42-millimeter Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Automatic presents a monochrome, sporty aesthetic. Its ceramic components echo the "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" color of the inner bezel, the dial with its "Méga Tapisserie" motif, and the chronograph counters. The homogenous aesthetic is subtly contrasted by the eight hexagonal steel screws on the bezel, as well as the titanium crown and case back.

Complementing these elements, the 18-carat white gold hands and hour markers with luminescent coating enhance legibility. Like the AP monogram, they stand out from the dial motif, while the chronograph indicators, tachymeter scale, and date display appear in white against a blue background.

The watch beats to the rhythm of Caliber 4404, an integrated self-winding chronograph featuring a column wheel and a flyback function. The latter allows for instant restart without first stopping or resetting the watch. Its power reserve is 70 hours.

The sapphire crystal case back reveals not only the movement's ornamentation and rose gold rotor, but also the inner workings of the column wheel. (RRP €85,900)

“Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph”

The 43-millimeter self-winding "Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph" features a two-tone design. Stainless steel is combined with "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" ceramic on the bezel, pushers, and crown to create a bold color contrast that also extends to the dial.

The “Méga-Tapisserie” motif emphasizes the robust silhouette of the timepiece and forms the perfect backdrop for the 18-carat white gold hands and the luminous hour markers.

Powered by the 4401 caliber, the timepiece features a minute counter at 9 o'clock, an hour counter at 3 o'clock, and a small seconds counter at 6 o'clock. All are finished in a lighter shade of blue, improving legibility and contrast, while the white gold AP monogram is visible at 12 o'clock.

A sapphire crystal case back also allows a view of the finishes of the flyback chronograph movement and the rhodium-plated 22-carat rose gold rotor, which builds up a power reserve of 70 hours.

This model is accompanied by a textured calfskin strap matching the color of the ceramic. It features the interchangeable mechanism and also comes with a blue rubber strap, underscoring the collection's sporty identity. (RRP €42,400)