An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon is a Royal Oak, the octagonal sports watch Audemars Piguet launched in 1972, that carries a tourbillon: a rotating carriage holding the balance wheel and escapement. The family splits into three groups: the hand-wound extra-thin tourbillons (the 26510 series), open-worked versions that strip the dial back to show the movement, and the self-winding flying tourbillons that arrived later. This guide explains how each differs, how a tourbillon works, why these watches are scarce, and how Bizak & Co. sources them. Bizak is a sourcing desk: every watch is found to order, and our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon collection lists references we can seek, not owned stock.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Figures on linked listings are dated observations, not quotes. Sources: Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak collection and Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3).
What is a tourbillon, and how does it work?
A tourbillon places the balance and escapement inside a small carriage that rotates, normally once a minute, to average out the positional errors that gravity causes. In a pocket watch that stays upright, the idea makes sense. On a wrist the watch constantly changes position, so the benefit is smaller, and the tourbillon is valued today mainly as a demonstration of watchmaking skill that you can watch turn.
In a conventional tourbillon the carriage is held between two bridges. In a flying tourbillon it is supported from one side only, so the upper bridge disappears and the cage seems to float. That demands tight tolerances at the pivot, because the whole carriage has to stay concentric without a second bearing. Our guide to Audemars Piguet complications and movement architecture goes deeper on how AP builds its flying tourbillon.
What are the main Royal Oak Tourbillon versions?
There are three groups worth knowing, summarized below. Collectors usually separate them by winding type and by how much of the movement the dial shows.
| Version | Reference examples | Winding | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra-thin tourbillon | 26510, 26515 | Hand-wound | Presented in 2012 for the Royal Oak's 40th anniversary, 41 mm, only a fraction of a millimeter thicker than the extra-thin Royal Oak |
| Open-worked tourbillon | 26511, 26513 | Hand-wound | Dial and bridges cut away so the movement is the display; the 26511PT uses caliber 2924SQ with a 70-hour reserve |
| Flying tourbillon | 26530 (steel 26530ST, titanium 26530TI), 26670, 26730, 26735 | Self-winding | One-sided carriage support. The 26530 brought AP's self-winding flying tourbillon caliber 2950 (65-hour power reserve) to the Royal Oak in 2020; the 26670ST (RD#3) was the first self-winding flying tourbillon in an extra-thin Royal Oak |
Specifications such as case size and power reserve change from reference to reference, so confirm them against Audemars Piguet's own documentation for the exact string you want.
What is the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon 26510?
The 26510 is a 41 mm hand-wound tourbillon introduced in 2012 and built to stay slim, which is unusual for a tourbillon. It keeps the Royal Oak's octagonal bezel, hexagonal screws and integrated bracelet while showing the carriage through an aperture on the dial. Gold and platinum versions followed, and the Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26515OR in rose gold is one catalogue example we can seek.
What is an open-worked Royal Oak Tourbillon?
An open-worked version removes most of the dial and trims the bridges so you can read the movement's architecture from the front. The 26511 and 26513 references belong here. A modern take is the Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Openworked in ceramic, 26735CB, a 41 mm case that pairs the one-sided carriage with a skeleton dial. Open-worked pieces reward close inspection, because bevels and polished edges that a dial would hide are on full view. Ask about the service history, since open movements can need more attention to dust.
Are there flying and complication-rich Royal Oak tourbillons?
Yes, and they widen the family beyond the classic extra-thin. The Royal Oak Extra-Thin Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 in titanium, 26545XT adds a chronograph to the flying carriage. The Royal Oak Concept line goes further, with models such as the Concept Flying Tourbillon in forged carbon, 26638FO. If you are comparing AP's round-case alternative, see the Code 11.59 flying tourbillon collection.
Why are Royal Oak tourbillons rare?
Because few are made and each takes many hours of hand assembly and finishing. Audemars Piguet does not publish production numbers for these references, and several variants were limited or produced in small batches. Gold and platinum cases narrow the pool further. Expect a search rather than a shelf: availability depends on which collectors are willing to sell.
How do you buy an AP Royal Oak Tourbillon?
Start with the version you want, then check the documents and service history before any money moves. Ask for the full reference, box, papers, last service date and who performed it. Compare with other makers in our wider tourbillon watches collection, or step back to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection and the full Audemars Piguet range. If price is the deciding factor, our Audemars Piguet vs Richard Mille comparison shows how AP sits against another tourbillon-friendly brand. Use the from-prices on the linked listings as a starting point, because they move and a sourced unit may price differently.
Quick answers
What is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon?
It is the Royal Oak octagonal sports-watch design fitted with a tourbillon, a rotating carriage that holds the balance and escapement. The family includes the hand-wound extra-thin 26510 series, open-worked variants such as the 26511 and 26513, and the self-winding flying tourbillons that arrived from 2020: first the 26530, then, from 2022, the 26730, the 26670 (RD#3) and the open-worked 26735.
What is the difference between a tourbillon and a flying tourbillon?
A conventional tourbillon carriage is held between an upper and a lower bridge. A flying tourbillon is supported from one side only, so there is no upper bridge and the cage appears to float.
Does a tourbillon make a watch more accurate on the wrist?
Not reliably. The carriage was designed to average out positional error in pocket watches, and on a wrist the effect is smaller. Collectors buy a tourbillon for the craftsmanship and the visible mechanism.
Can Bizak source an AP Royal Oak Tourbillon?
Yes, to order. The watches in our collection are catalogue entries, not owned stock. We locate a specific unit, confirm photographs and documents, then confirm the price before you commit.
Request a Royal Oak Tourbillon sourcing quote
Tell us the model, size, dial and metal preference, whether you want new or pre-owned, and your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit.
Related reading: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar guide, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept
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