New Releases · 2023-08-24

1017 ALYX 9SM strips the 37 mm Royal Oak back to pure gold

Matthew Williams removes almost every dial marker from a compact yellow-gold Royal Oak, leaving texture and proportion to do the work.

By Chronolume digest · Original English summary · Based on Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 37 mm 1017 ALYX 9SM in yellow gold — The 37 mm AP × 1017 ALYX 9SM Royal Oak, reference 15550BA.OO.1356BA.02. Audemars Piguet ↗

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This is a sourced news summary, not a hands-on review. Read the original reporting at Audemars Piguet ↗

What to know

Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams’ 1017 ALYX 9SM reduce the 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding to a study in yellow gold. Reference 15550BA.OO.1356BA.02 removes the date window and conventional hour markers, allowing the vertical satin-brushed dial, slim hands and integrated bracelet to carry the design. The monochrome treatment makes Gérald Genta’s geometry feel both quieter and more architectural.

Detail view of the 37 mm yellow-gold AP 1017 ALYX 9SM Royal Oak — Vertical satin finishing replaces the traditional Tapisserie texture. Audemars Piguet ↗

The 18-carat yellow-gold case measures 37 mm across and 9.1 mm thick, with 50 metres of water resistance. Inside, the selfwinding Calibre 5909 runs at 4 Hz and delivers a 60-hour power reserve. Its exhibition back provides the visual counterpoint to the deliberately spare dial.