Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Green Malachite Dial – Yellow Gold 37mm and 41mm for 2026
Exotic Stone Dials Return to the Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet has unveiled two new Royal Oak Selfwinding references in 37mm and 41mm yellow gold cases, adorned with vivid green malachite stone dials. According to Monochrome Watches, the trend for stone dials has had a bandwagon effect in the watch industry, but AP got a head start with stone dials on its ultra-thin dress watches of the 1960s and a 1988 ultra-slim Royal Oak in platinum with a lapis lazuli dial.
In 2023, AP released a stunning Royal Oak 37mm in yellow gold with a turquoise dial. In the same vein, these new references bring the dramatic, banded patterns of natural malachite to the Royal Oak collection, creating a striking combination of luxurious yellow gold and vivid green stone.
Natural Malachite: A Unique Stone Dial
Natural malachite is prized for its vibrant green colour and unique banded patterns. Fluctuations in copper content produce subtle variations: a higher concentration of copper results in a deeper, more intense green, while smaller amounts produce a lighter shade. Formed during the crystallisation process, the striking banded patterns on the dial make each one unique.
However, with a hardness of only 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale, cutting the relatively soft, heat-sensitive stone into ultra-thin slabs requires precision lapidary saws to avoid breakage. Replacing the iconic Tapisserie dial of the Royal Oak with a rich, banded green malachite dial creates a dramatic, regal effect.
Case Sizes and Movements
Refreshed in 2022 to mark the model's 50th anniversary, the 37mm Royal Oak slimmed down from a height of 9.8mm to 9mm thanks to the incorporation of the Vaucher-sourced calibre 5909, a 4Hz automatic with a 60-hour power reserve. With the malachite dial, the case height has increased slightly to 9.3mm. The 41mm model retains its regular case height of 10.5mm and is powered by the automatic calibre 4309 with a 70-hour power reserve.
Key Specifications
| Feature | 37mm (15553BA) | 41mm (15513BA) |
|---|---|---|
| Case | 37mm x 9.3mm – 18k yellow gold | 41mm x 10.5mm – 18k yellow gold |
| Dial | Polished green malachite | Polished green malachite |
| Movement | Calibre 5909 (Vaucher) | Calibre 4309 |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours | 70 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m | 50m |
| Bracelet | 18k yellow gold integrated | 18k yellow gold integrated |
| Price | CHF 59,800 | CHF 64,700 |
Design Notes
Unlike the earlier RO turquoise edition, these models do not feature a date window at 3 o'clock, allowing the polished green stone to flow uninterrupted. Yellow gold hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating complement the green malachite beautifully. Both references are paired with integrated 18k yellow gold bracelets with a triple-blade folding clasp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is malachite used as a dial material?
Malachite has been used in watchmaking since the 1960s, prized for its vibrant green colour and unique banded patterns. Each dial is unique due to natural variations in the stone. Brands like Piaget and Audemars Piguet pioneered the use of exotic stone dials in haute horlogerie.
Are stone dials durable?
Stone dials are relatively delicate compared to metal or lacquered dials. Malachite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5-4, making it softer than steel. While the dial is protected by the watch crystal, stone dials require careful handling and are more susceptible to damage from impacts.
Will AP release other stone dial options?
Audemars Piguet has a history of releasing stone dial variations. Given the success of the turquoise and malachite editions, additional exotic stone options such as lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, or aventurine could appear in future collections.
Source: Monochrome Watches – Green Malachite Dials for the Royal Oak Selfwinding
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