Sandra‘s Closet

Royal Pop: Is Swatch About to Give the Royal Oak the MoonSwatch Treatment?
And if so, should AP fans be worried?

The watch world woke up on May 6, 2026 to something that stopped even the most seasoned collectors mid-scroll. On the morning of May 6, advertising appeared simultaneously across major newspapers and digital platforms bearing only the Swatch logo and two cryptic words in Audemars Piguet’s signature font: «Royal» and «Pop.» Within hours, the speculation had gone from whisper to wildfire.

One of my favorite watches in my collection: The Royal Oak Frosted Gold

The Clues Are Almost Too Obvious
Let us be honest: this is not subtle. The first piece of visual evidence is in the typography used for the word «Royal,» which matches the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak script almost exactly. The second teaser word, «Pop,» features the P overlapping the O, a design choice that perfectly mirrors the iconic O overlapping the A on the traditional Audemars Piguet caseback logo. If you know the Royal Oak, you know that logo. There is no other watch on earth it could reference.

Swatch’s first teaser was posted on May 3, 2026.

And it goes deeper than the font. Swatch AG filed for trademark protection on the name «ROYAL POP» in international class 14, the trademark class specifically for jewellery and watches, with an international filing dated June 18, 2024. Companies do not register trademarks they do not intend to use.
There is also the now-legendary social media breadcrumb: during the Swatch x Blancpain launch, the Audemars Piguet official Instagram account reportedly waded into the conversation asking, «when do we launch?» At the time, everyone laughed it off. Nobody is laughing now.

Could It Be a Pocket Watch?
Here is where things get genuinely fascinating and where I find myself genuinely intrigued as an AP obsessive. Back at Watches and Wonders in April, Swatch launched an ad campaign teasing «the real wonders are happening in May,» alongside what looked like lanyards in eight colors, which are definitely not watch bands. Some online have speculated it could be a pocket watch.

The second teaser on May 4, 2026 delivers another hint.

The lanyard and clac! teasers suggest this could be more than a Royal Oak reinterpreted in plastic. It may be a modular accessory, referencing the vintage 90s Pop Swatch era, where the case could be worn on the wrist or hung around the neck, a possible 2-in-1 design unlike anything Swatch has released before.

A pocket watch. In 2026. Carrying the Royal Oak DNA. I have to admit, that is a genuinely clever left turn.
This Will Be Massive. And I Have Complicated Feelings About It.

Let me be clear: if this drops on May 16, the queues outside Swatch boutiques will make the original MoonSwatch launch look like a quiet Tuesday morning. When the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch landed in 2022, traditionalists dismissed it as a hype-beast gimmick. The market disagreed, and it became the blueprint for the most aggressive and successful marketing strategy in modern watchmaking.

Just an idea … but one that I would love.

But here is the difference, and it is a significant one. A Swatch x Audemars Piguet project would be a far more unexpected pairing than Swatch’s previous collaborations with Omega and Blancpain, both of which sit within Swatch Group. Audemars Piguet is independent, making such a collaboration far more consequential.

As someone who considers the Royal Oak Frosted Gold one of the most beautiful objects ever to sit on a wrist and one of my favorite watches in my closet, I find myself genuinely torn. Part of me understands the commercial logic. AP almost certainly watched the «CasioOak» G-Shock craze with interest. A collaboration like this means they profit further from one of the most iconic watch designs ever made.

But the Royal Oak is not just a watch. It is Gerald Genta’s act of rebellion against the quartz crisis, a steel sports watch that dared to cost as much as a gold dress watch in 1972. Its mystique is inseparable from its exclusivity, from the years-long waitlists, from the sense that owning one means something. The moment the silhouette lives on a lanyard sold at a Swatch boutique for a few hundred francs, something irreversible happens to that mythology. You cannot un-democratize an icon.

Does that mean it is wrong? Not necessarily. The MoonSwatch did not kill the Speedmaster. If anything, it created a generation of new Omega admirers. But the Speedmaster was never quite the same cultural touchstone as the Royal Oak. The stakes here feel different.

The Audemars Piguet Diamond Outrage on display at Watches and Wonders 2026.

But what if Royal Pop is not just about color? Cast your mind back to AP’s own history of pushing boundaries: the Diamond Punk in 2015, Diamond Fury in 2016, and Diamond Outrage in 2017. Sculptural, almost aggressive high jewellery pieces that had nothing to do with restraint. And on the Swatch side: the original Pop Swatch era was never just round. Crazy shapes, bold forms, watches that were closer to wearable art than timekeeping. Put those two DNA strands together and Royal Pop could be something far more radical than a Royal Oak in BioCeramic. It could be a shape we have never seen before.

What Would It Look Like?
No official renders exist yet. But based on the teaser clues, expect the unmistakable octagonal bezel, the eight visible screws, and that famous tapisserie dial, all reimagined in Swatch’s lightweight bioceramic. Bright, saturated colorways. And if the lanyard theory holds, a modular case that flips between wrist and pocket, which would be genuinely new territory for any collaboration of this kind.

All concept renders in this post were created by me using artificial intelligence, imagining what Royal Pop could look like before the world gets to see the real thing on May 16, 2026. I had really fun creating them, please scroll down for all other versions.

My Verdict
I will be watching the launch date with the same mix of excitement and apprehension you feel when someone tells you they are about to remake your favorite film. The Royal Pop will almost certainly be a cultural moment. Whether it is good for the Royal Oak long-term is a question AP’s board will be answering for years.

What do you think? Does giving the Royal Oak the MoonSwatch treatment feel like genius, or like a step too far?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Swatch and © Sandra Bauknecht
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A Return to Time: Notes from Watches and Wonders Geneva

There are few places where time feels as tangible as at Watches and Wonders Geneva. For one day, everything revolves around it, interpreted through craftsmanship, design, and an almost obsessive attention to detail.

This year, the fair revealed more than technical innovation. It signaled a shift in mood, subtle, but unmistakable.

Patek Philippe New Models 2026

BVLGARI celebrates old-school glamour with its newest Serpenti watches.

There is a clear return to old-school glamour and with it, a strong retro influence. Not nostalgia in its simplest form, but a deliberate reinterpretation of the past. Vintage codes are everywhere: softened silhouettes, intricate bracelets, and, most notably, the reappearance of the secret watch.

These pieces conceal their dials beneath decorative covers, blurring the line between jewelry and timekeeping. They are intimate, almost private objects, designed to be discovered rather than displayed. It is a language that echoes the elegance of earlier decades, yet feels entirely contemporary in its execution.

At the same time, craftsmanship is moving back to the center of the conversation. Not just as a technical necessity, but as a form of artistic expression. The level of detail, the patience, and the human touch behind these pieces feels more important than ever.

One example that stayed with me came from CHANEL. A chess set, already sold and therefore no longer on display in its final form, was presented through prototypes. Each figure was meticulously crafted, with the Gabrielle Chanel silhouette wearing a tweed jacket, entirely set with diamonds, that emphasized the effect of the material. It was less an object and more a demonstration of what true craftsmanship can achieve: intricate, precise, and deeply intentional.

Audemars Piguet Etablisseurs Galets

At the same time, a structural shift within the industry is becoming increasingly visible. The market is stretching apart.

Van Cleef & Arpels is expanding its Jour Nuit collection with a new timepiece in honor of the Moon. Within the Midnight case, the watch features two overlapping complications: the first one animates the Jour/Nuit display, while the second one illustrates the actual Moon phase. 

BVLGARI

On one end, brands are leaning heavily into haute horlogerie, producing exceptional, highly complicated, and often extremely limited pieces. These watches are not simply products; they are statements of craftsmanship, created for collectors who value rarity as much as technical mastery. Prices reflect this shift, reaching levels that position these timepieces firmly within the realm of art and investment.

Celebrating 100 years of the Rolex Oyster with this beautiful and affordable Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 «Jubilee Edition».

On the other end, the more accessible segment remains present, but quieter, almost overshadowed by the spectacle of high-end innovation. The middle ground is thinning, and the contrast between the two extremes is becoming more pronounced.

A Testament to Métiers d’Art: Van Cleef & Arpels, with its latest Perlée Extraordinaire Fruits Enchantés collection, is capturing the ruby-red intensity of perfectly ripened raspberries.

Yet within this high-end focus, creativity is flourishing. Freed from the need to appeal to a broad audience, brands are allowing themselves to be more expressive, more daring, and more niche. Watchmaking, in this sense, is becoming increasingly cultural. These are no longer just instruments or even luxury goods, they are narratives, identities, and statements.

Collectors today are not simply buying watches; they are engaging with meaning.

Walking through the fair, it quickly becomes clear that the experience goes far beyond the watches themselves. Some booths are consistently extraordinary, fully immersive environments that tell their own story. Officine Panerai, known for its diving heritage, brought that world to life with a stand that felt like stepping into the depths.

Van Cleef & Arpels created something entirely different, a poetic garden, complete with a swing, where time seemed to slow down.

And Audemars Piguet offered a more introspective atmosphere, with a library-like setting that invited you to pause, reflect, and look closer.

I leaned into the spirit of the fair with a Moschino look, complete with a watch-shaped bag and a hat featuring a clock detail. A subtle nod to the theme of time, and one that, quite unexpectedly, drew a lot of attention throughout the day. I was frequently stopped, photographed, and even interviewed, an unusual but fitting part of the experience.

Yves Piaget with me (click here for a previous post from 2012).

Amidst all of this, it is often the quieter, more personal moments that stay the longest. Seeing Yves Piaget again was one of them. Having been for many years an ambassador for Piaget, it made the encounter feel all the more meaningful.

Relaunch of the Piaget cocktail ring collection, for which I hosted an private garden party in my house in 2013.

There was something genuinely special in being recognized, in that brief moment of familiarity within such a fast-moving environment. A small exchange, a shared memory, and somehow, it stays. I still have the Piaget rose.

Ulysse Nardin

And perhaps that is what defines the fair as much as the watches themselves. It is not just an industry event, it is a cultural moment, where craftsmanship meets storytelling, and where timepieces become part of a larger narrative.

I predict a huge success for the BVLGARI Octo Finissimo Watch in satin-polished 18 kt yellow gold case.

What remains after a full day is not simply a memory of products, but a clear impression:

The future of watchmaking may well lie in its past.

In craftsmanship over scale.
In rarity over ubiquity.
In intimacy over display.

And in the enduring desire to make time feel, once again, timeless.

Trying on Cartier‘s latest Bagnoire collection, that I am completely obsessed about.

Some of the most remarkable pieces deserve a closer look, and I’ll be returning to a few of them in more detail over the coming weeks.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may also earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Congrats to my friend Tamara Ralph on her collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Both unveiled a new Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon. Inspired by the Haute Couture designer’s aesthetic merging bold femininity, boundless creativity and timeless elegance, this limited edition in 18-carat pink gold shimmers with Frosted Gold and takes on a unique palette of graded hues ranging from brown and bronze to golden tones. This collaboration, which will be revealed on 22 January 2024 during Tamara Ralph’s runway show in Paris for the S/S 2024 Haute Couture Fashion Week, celebrates the natural synergies between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Couture, while furthering the strong ties that Audemars Piguet has woven with creative worlds over the years.

Tamara and I at lunch at Gigi Ramatuelle in the summer

INSPIRING SYNERGIES
Believing in the power of creativity to feed culture, connect people and broaden horizons, the Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer has always looked to the larger world for inspiration. Over the years, the Manufacture has fostered enriching dialogues amongst fields of creative practice, including Haute Couture, with which it shares a strong commitment to uncompromising craftsmanship, precision and excellence. In 2020, Audemars Piguet began its partnership with designer Tamara Ralph, pairing several of its watches with her S/S 2021 Prêt-à-Porter collection. Pursuing their enduring relationship, Audemars Piguet and Tamara Ralph have collaborated this year on the design of a Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon inspired by Ralph’s Couture universe.

«My intention for the design of this piece is for it to capture the spirit and craftsmanship ofboth my brand as well as Audemars Piguet. The complications of watchmaking orchestrate a foundation which can be played with in terms oftextures, colours and designs, allowing for the savoirfaire of couture to shine through. Rich materials, unique colour palettes and ultimate precision are combined, creating an exquisite limited edition of the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon, inspired by Haute Couture.»
Tamara Ralph – Creative Director and Founder of Tamara Ralph

A REFINED PLAY OF TEXTURES AND LIGHT
The Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon «Tamara Ralph» Limited Edition showcases an 18-carat pink gold case adorned with Frosted Gold. This ancient Florentine jewellery technique was revisited by jewellery designer Carolina Bucci and adapted by Audemars Piguet artisans in 2016 to decorate the Manufacture’s timepieces. Tiny indentations are created on the gold surface with a diamond-tipped tool, giving a sparkle effect similar to that of precious stones. lts visual power is accentuated by the polished bevel outlining the octagonal bezel, while the case’s satin-brushed flanks provide added contrast. The juxtaposition of finishing techniques-a meticulous operation which required perfect alignment between the hammered, brushed and polished surfaces-gives sumptuous texture to the case, while bestowing it with endless plays of light. For its part, the caseback’s glareproofed sapphire crystal is held in place by an 18-carat pink gold octagonal frame, finished with satin brushing and polished chamfers and engraved with «Royal Oak Concept Limited Edition.» Lastly, the hexagonal crown, whose shape recalls the stainless steel screws punctuating the bezel, also plays with light thanks to its satin-brushed and polished finishing. lts translucent cabochon-cut sapphire adds yet another touch of feminine elegance to the case design.

A HARMONY OF COLOURS AND LAYERS
The multi-layered dial takes inspiration from the bold femininity and textured detailing of Tamara Ralph’s Couture creations. lt is composed of four overlapping circular pink gold plates, creating a ripple effect as they emanate from the flying tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock. Each layer presents a different colour, evolving from brown in the centre to bronze in the middle, to reach golden tones towards the dial’s extremity. While the brown and golden colours have been achieved through galvanic treatment, the bronze layer is covered with bronze lacquer. The dial is finished with a continuous sunburst satin-finishing radiating from the hands outwards, in seamless alignment from one plate to the other. Pushing details to the limit, each plate is adorned with a thin diamondpolished gold thread that adds depth to the dial. Matching with the circular, multi-layered architecture of the dial, the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock merges technical mastery with sophisticated aesthetic.

The cage’s upper frame incorporates three rings radiating from a decentred disc paved with 19 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 0.04 carats). lts pink-gold-toned hue echoes the 18- carat pink gold hour and minute hands, both filled with luminescent coating for optimum legibility in the dark. At 12 o’clock, the applied pink gold AP monogram adds the final touch. Hour-markers have been left out to accentuate the purity and harmony of the dial design. The timepiece comes with a bronze-toned hand-stitched «large square scale» alligator strap. lt is also supplied with an additional brown alligator strap recalling the centre of the dial for a refined look. The two straps are decorated with a pearly finishing adding subtle elegance and glamour. The timepiece’s glittering hues and intricate details will catch the eye from up close and afar, just like a Couture piece would.

I am absolutely in love with this timepiece!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Turquoise watch dials have been all the rage lately. Audemars Piguet is jumping on the trend and is unveiling for the first time a new version of its 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model, entirely crafted in 18-carat yellow gold and illuminated by a natural turquoise dial.

Cut to form a slender disc, the turquoise has then been ground, sandblasted and polished before being integrated into a gilded brass outer casing. The overall thickness is just 0.75 mm. Each dial is one of a kind because every stone has its own natural composition, texture and colour, thus reacting differently to different machining operations or finishes. Originating from Mexico, the turquoise carefully selected to adorn this new model features a discreet pattern in a darker hue, making the appearance of each dial unique. Already used by the Egyptian and Chinese civilisations more than 3,000 years ago, turquoise is among the world’s oldest stones. This combination of historical heritage and vibrant colour makes it one of the jewellery industry’s most precious and sought-after gems. It is also reputed to have many spiritual benefits while bringing health, good luck and protection.

This is the first 37 mm Royal Oak variation in yellow gold since 2018. The case, bezel and integrated bracelet feature the Manufacture’s trademark touch in terms of hand-finishing with alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces performed by the artisans in Le Brassus. Framed by this yellow gold case, the natural turquoise dial brings ocean-like intensity. Its blue shade strikes a contrast with the yellow gold hands and hour-markers featuring a luminescent coating enabling optimal readability in the dark. The turquoise is embellished by the polished yellow gold applique bearing the «Audemars Piguet» signature, which has been affixed to the dial with tiny feet specially designed to fit the thickness of the stone. The date window in the same colour as the stone ensures pleasing aesthetic harmony.

This new reference also showcases the design evolution that marked the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary by reinforcing its ergonomics as well as its visual impact. The corresponding developments visible on this 37 mm model include larger chamfers, trapeze-shaped first links on the tapering bracelet showing a pronounced decrease in thickness, along with a sapphire caseback slightly more integrated into the case middle.

This Royal Oak model is equipped with the latest selfwinding hour, minute, seconds and date movement from the Manufacture, Calibre 5900, which first appeared in 2022 on certain 37 mm references. This movement combines a slim 3.9 mm thickness, a high 4Hz frequency and a 60-hour power reserve. The mechanism is visible through the sapphire caseback revealing the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight along with the refined decorations adorning the components, such as the polished angles, vertical satin brushing, Côtes de Genève, circular graining and chamfering.

While mineral or precious stone dials emerged on pocket watches in the late 19th century, it was not until the 20th century emergence of smaller-diameter wristwatches that the use of these fragile dials became more common. Stone dials flourished at Audemars Piguet between the late 1960s and the 1990s, at a time characterised by a revival of creativity in wristwatch design. The timepieces were thus adorned with a multitude of colours thanks to tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, aventurine, garnet, mother-of-pearl, opal, ruby, amethyst and jasper.
The new 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model extends this creative heritage by combining the natural brilliance of turquoise with a case entirely crafted in yellow gold, giving life to a timepiece with a resolutely sunny personality and positive vibes. Available for CHF 55.000.

I am absolutely in love with this model.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Audemars Piguet 2023
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You know how much I love my Royal Oak Frosted Gold watch that Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet launched in collaboration with Carolina Bucci. 2022 marks a new milestone as Audemars Piguet presents a new limited edition 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramic. This timepiece is the fruit of the latest collaboration between the manufacture and Carolina Bucci. In celebration of the Royal Oak’s fiftieth anniversary, the Italian jewellery designer has created a dial endowed with a unique multi-coloured mirror effect paying tribute to the iconic Tapisserie design. Inspired by urban landscapes, the result is as unexpected as it is elegant. This limited edition is designed for both men and women and is available exclusively in Audemars Piguet boutiques and AP Houses.

A SUBTLE AND UNEXPECTED AESTHETIC
For her third collaboration with Audemars Piguet, Carolina Bucci has left behind her hammering technique, known as Frosted Gold, to enrich an all-black ceramic piece with a surprising dial. Always looking to meet new challenges, she decided to focus on contrasts. At first glance, the dial appears black, but on closer inspection it reveals a multi-coloured spectrum that brings the Tapisserie effect to life in the ever-changing light. To reach this result, a sapphire plate adorned with little squares achieved through micro-structuring is added on top of the brass dial plate to create rich rainbow-coloured plays of light. A golden metallisation, specially developed for the occasion, is also applied onto the back of the sapphire plate to create a mirror effect and shines light onto the dial. The pattern of iridescent colours varies from dial to dial, making each design unique. This limited edition comes in a presentation box that has also been designed by Carolina Bucci. For this special occasion, the jewellery designer wanted to use the Tapisserie pattern in relief, going into the finest details, to pay homage to the 1972 classic.

«I wanted to place a rainbow in the most unexpected of places, a little like when you see oil floating on a puddle in a city street… So here you have every colour of the spectrum on a canvas that is completely black, which is itself the absence of colour.»
Carolina Bucci – Jewellery Designer

MATERIALS FULL OF CONTRASTS
The black ceramic case and bracelet are highlighted by hexagonal pink gold screws that secure the bezel and create an elegant contrast of colours. All the components of the case and bracelet are finished with the Manufacture’s signature satin-finishing that is paired with polished chamfers for a maximum play on light. The bracelet has been slightly revised to provide a better visual effect. The pins connecting the links to the studs are no longer visible from the side, but are directly integrated into the studs.

The titanium and sapphire caseback is engraved with the inscription «Limited Edition Carolina Bucci» and reveals the Calibre 5800 beneath, which indicates the hours, minutes, seconds and date. In keeping with the finish on the screws, hour-markers and hands, the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight features elegant microbead-blasted, polished and satin finishes. On the dial, the AP monogram has vanished to leave pride of place to the long-form signature which has been engraved on top of the sapphire plate and filled with white lacquer due to the singularity of the dial imagined by Carolina Bucci.

My beloved Frosted Gold watch.

A COLLABORATION IN CONSTANT EVOLUTION
Carolina Bucci first started working with Audemars Piguet in 2016 for the 40th anniversary of the women’s Royal Oak that was created by Jacqueline Dimier in 1976. It was for this special occasion that the Italian designer was invited to reinterpret the original design by Gérald Genta. Together with the Manufacture’s watchmakers, she brought the ancestral technique of Florentine hammering, or Frosted Gold, to the complex architecture of the Royal Oak.

This technique consists of creating tiny indentations in the gold with a diamond-tipped tool that results in a sparkle that looks like diamond dust. Two models were initially released – the 15454 in 37 mm and the 67652 in 33 mm in a choice of white or pink gold – during an international event with Jacqueline Dimier in attendance. This marked the beginning of Audemars Piguet’s collaboration with Carolina Bucci. Since 2016, the Frosted Gold finish has been applied to numerous watch collections, sizes and complications.

In 2018, the designer signed a limited edition of 300 pieces for Audemars Piguet, entirely crafted in frosted yellow gold with a unique dial. Instead of the model’s trademark Tapisserie design, Carolina Bucci chose a mirrored dial with a flat surface evoking the surface of a lake on a calm day, reflecting the surrounding landscape. Despite its apparent simplicity, the mirrored dial presented a number of technical challenges that the Manufacture’s artisans were able to overcome to perfection.

In 2020, she went on to design the K.I.S.S. collection of gold bracelets – available in two sizes and numerous tones with matching necklaces – that were inspired by her previous projects with the Manufacture. These creations reinterpret the aesthetic codes of a mechanical watch spring, creating a link between Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie.

«Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.»

Today, Carolina Bucci pays tribute to the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, with a design in black ceramic contrasted with multi-coloured reflections on the dial, providing the watch with unexpected plays of light. The Royal Oak Selfwinding 34 mm will not only surprise watch lovers with its iridescence, but will also seduce them with its sober and discreet refinement.

Price: CHF 48 500 // Limited Edition of 300 Pieces

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Audemars Piguet, © Sandra Bauknecht
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Rome or Roma as the locals call their home, the Eternal City, with its unique and fascinating history, its thousand churches, palaces and fountains; Rome, where behind every corner and building lies a secret to be discovered, a legend to be told, history to be revealed, is also home to many famous fashion brands.

The country’s contribution to fashion is vast and its capital is no exception. Many designers come from Rome, such as Elsa Schiapparelli who was born there in 1890, Giambattista Valli, and of course the famous houses of Fendi and Valentino, along the jewelry brand Bulgari. Valentino will present his next F/W 2022 Couture show on July 8 in Piazza Mignanelli, home to the company’s storied headquarters, and a stone’s throw away from the Spanish Steps.

The Italian obsession with looking good is nothing new. It is contagious. So I photographed this fun summer look from the Versace S/S 2021 runway in front of the famous Colosseum, the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, that began to be built under between 72 and 80 AD.

My look: Ruffled embellished cady and plissé mini dress, padded-shoulder denim jacket in blue, Trésor de la Mer gold-tone crystal choker, Trésor de la Mer gold-tone crystal bracelet, and Trésor de la Mer gold-tone crystal earrings, all by Versace, black calf leather lace up Janis pumps by Saint Laurent, Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet, and waist bag with chains and pearls, all by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Daydream Studio
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Part of my series of self-shot outfit posts with a timer, please find today the uninhibited good girl gone bad who finds herself in a luscious floral whirlwind in the garden of good and evil. Joking aside, this is what I love about fashion, you can dress up or down and invent yourself every day new. You might wear a floral gown but in the right combination you are half-innocent and half-seductive. The choice is all yours…

My look: Winnifred belted tiered floral-print cotton-blend dress by Ulla Johnson, ruffled embroidered wool cardigan by Miu Miu, Mini Dauphine bag by Louis Vuitton, Birkin 30 in gold Epsom leather by Hermès, lace-up booties with logo buckle by CHANEL (F/W 2021), and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Sometimes I receive press releases that literally make me drool over their content. When I read about Audemars Piguet‘s 2021 women novelties, this was about to happen. Those new watch models are amazing, so beautiful and special. Blending tradition with avantgarde, the variegated timepieces offer creative contrasts, from the sleek aesthetics of black ceramics to the shimmering sparkle of Frosted Gold or the vivid hues of multicoloured gemstones. These multifaceted mechanical pieces will be true statements when worn on the wrist.

THROUGH THE LENS OF HARLEY WEIR
Drawing synergies between Haute Couture and Haute Horlogerie, photographer Harley Weir explored for Audemars Piguet how a timepiece or a couture look reflects the wearer’s personality and free-spirited attitude. Eclectic in colour, savoir-faire, materials and style, the Audemars Piguet 2021 novelties find inspiration in diverse worlds to present a kaleidoscopic view of the contemporary woman.

A NEW 34 MM ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING DRESSED IN BLACK CERAMICS
The sleek aesthetics of the new Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramic is enhanced with pink gold accents for a refined two-tone contrast. Timeless and versatile, the black hues will seamlessly complement the unique style of its wearer.

Adit wears the Royal Oak Selfwinding in black ceramics, accompanied by a short strapless dress in black vegan leather embellished with gold studs.

THE NEW ROYAL OAK SELFWINDING CHRONOGRAPH PLAYS WITH COLOUR AND LIGHT
The new Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph’s 18-carat pink gold case and bracelet are elegantly enhanced by a purple dial and a bezel set with 32 baguette-cut amethysts. The new chronograph in 38 mm will be available solely in Audemars Piguet boutiques. For the first time, the Manufacture is offering a solid 18-carat pink gold timepiece with a bezel that has been set with an array of baguette-cut amethysts. These purple gemstones surround and match the tones of the timepiece’s purple dial to perfection. Developed by the Manufacture’s artisans, the timepiece’s dial displays a range of purple hues that dance and change colour in the light.

Katlin wears the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph adorned with amethysts, matched with a long evening gown with an asymmetric bust in fuchsia silk, pleated and split at the front.

A NEW ROYAL OAK FROSTED GOLD SELFWINDING MODEL IN 34 MM WITH BLUE DIAL
Audemars Piguet is expanding the 34 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding collection, established in April 2020, with a new reference shimmering with Frosted Gold – a jewellery technique developed in 2016 in collaboration with Italian jewellery designer Carolina Bucci. The 18-carat white gold piece is further enhanced with a Tapisserie dial in new shades of blue.

Chin Chin wears the Royal Oak Frosted Gold Selfwinding, dressed up with a long body-hugging gown in sequined ruthenium jersey.

RAINBOW MEETS FROSTED GOLD IN THE LATEST ROYAL OAK DOUBLE BALANCE WHEEL OPENWORKED
Last but not least, here comes my favorite: Rainbow meets Frosted Gold. Audemars Piguet will complement its Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Wheel Openworked series with three new references in 41 mm and two in 37 mm, all displaying a rainbow bezel composed of multicoloured gemstones and emphasizing the scintillating effect of the Frosted Gold case. The watches will be exclusively available in Audemars Piguet’s Boutiques as of October 2021.

Ola wears the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, with a technicoloured organza and translucent 3D hand-casted dress.

Frosted Gold models in yellow and pink gold also make their debut in the collection. Keeping with the aesthetics of the current 41 mm offering, the new yellow, pink or white Frosted Gold case and bracelet are contrasted by the openworked movement’s slate grey NAC-coated bridges and enhanced by the dial’s black inner bezel. The two-tone design is accentuated as the double balance wheel at 8 o’clock takes on yellow gold-toned, pink gold-toned or rhodium-toned hues to echo the case’s colour. Similarly, the hour-markers and luminescent Royal Oak hands are crafted in yellow, pink or white gold.

THE 37 MM COLLECTION EXPANDS ITS OFFERING
The Manufacture releases two new 37 mm Royal Oak Frosted Gold Double Balance Wheel Openworked references in 18-carat pink and yellow gold for the smaller wrists to complement the 18-carat white gold piece launched in 2019. Both sport a matching pink or yellow gold-toned openworked movement, sharply contrasted by the blackened openworked barrel at 1 o’clock which discloses the watch’s mainspring. In the same tone as the movement and case, the pink or yellow gold hour-makers and luminescent Royal Oak hands blend in to foreground the artistry of Calibre 3132.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Harley Weir – Inès Dieleman – Courtesy of Audemars Piguet
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored. I am loving it.

With love from Saint Tropez … enjoying these carefree days and sporting my Gucci resort exclusive shopper for the first time on Place des Lices. Here, each Tuesday and Saturday, a provençal market takes place that I highly recommend for you to visit.

My look: Mae belted ruffled printed linen midi dress, and matching printed linen-twill bucket hat, both by Zimmermann, slide sandal with Double G, and Saint Tropez striped tote bag, both by Gucci, embellished necklace with coin charm by Oscar de la Renta, Rose Céleste necklace, Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, both by Dior Fine Jewellery, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Michael HJ Lopez Photographie / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

One of the best brands to wear on your summer vacation is PatBO. I am completely obsessed, amazing quality without being too expensive. Inspired by the beauty and technical expertise of haute couture craftsmanship, Patricia Bonaldi founded her eponymous label with a focus on intricate embroidery and beading. Each design is expertly handmade in the brand’s atelier in Brazil by a team of over 400 local female artisans. Here you see me wearing one of her amazing beach dresses with its unique, flattering silhouette at my hotel, the Byblos Saint Tropez. Doesn’t the background look so South American? I am loving it! In my next life I wanna be a Brazilian girl!

My look: Cutout embellished corded lace and stretch-jersey maxi dress by PatBO, Blaudel 100 canvas wedge sandals by Castañer, Tip macramé tote by Bottega Veneta, mesh small brin bucket hat by Dior, gold-tone crystal earrings by Oscar de la Renta, Oscar seashell choker by Isabel Marant, Rose Céleste necklace, and Rose des Vents and Rose Céleste necklace, both by Dior Fine Jewellery, bracelets by Cartier, and Royal Oak 37mm 18-karat frosted rose gold watch by Audemars Piguet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Michael HJ Lopez Photographie / Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.