Time can be measured in many different ways. For example, in terms of achievements. Professional tennis player Serena Williams has won 98 titles in her 27-year career. And: Time always goes along with change. The professional athlete announced her retirement in 2022 and will still be back on the court in 2026. Even outside the world of sports, Serena rarely has a moment’s rest. That’s because she believes that time isn’t just measured—it’s shaped. Audemars Piguet also follows this credo. The “Serena Williams” limited edition of the Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic combines the American’s vision with the Swiss company’s craftsmanship: featuring a rose-colored mother-of-pearl dial and the Caliber 6401, the brand’s latest integrated chronograph movement.
Without timing, professional sports would be difficult. After all, you have to know who is the fastest and most powerful. While every millisecond counts for some pros, tennis—despite its varied play and fast pace—sometimes requires one thing above all else: patience. That’s because there’s no fixed time limit on matches. In theory, a match could drag on forever—though, fortunately, that’s never actually happened. The longest tennis match in history lasted eleven hours and five minutes—spanning three days—and took place at Wimbledon in 2010. But just because there’s no time limit doesn’t mean watches aren’t necessary in tennis. On the contrary: Numerous rules specify exactly how many seconds something may last. A break between sets lasts 120 seconds, 25 seconds may elapse between rallies, and a change of ends takes 90 seconds. And a so-called medical timeout may last only three minutes. It’s no surprise, then, that the Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet feels right at home in the world of tennis. The latest masterpiece to emerge from these two worlds: the “Serena Williams” limited edition of the Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic, created in collaboration with the Grand Slam champion herself. This collaboration didn’t come out of the blue: Serena Williams has been a brand ambassador for Audemars Piguet since 2014. She loves to show off her watch collection. On the court, her Royal Oak Offshore often sparkles on her wrist.
GENTLE AND POWERFUL
Throughout her career, which has spanned several decades, Serena Williams has experienced not only numerous successes but also some turbulent moments. Women in elite sports are already exposed to everyday misogyny and must fight to be respected and taken just as seriously as their male counterparts. Williams has also had to defend herself against racist comments on multiple occasions. Disputes with umpires led to her being portrayed as aggressive and uncontrolled. Do her male tennis counterparts experience the same thing? As a result, she’s developed a thick skin—yet she’s never lost her gentle side. And speaking of her many facets: Off the court, the American never gets bored. She founded a venture capital firm that specifically targets startups led by women, people of color, and historically underrepresented founders; launched her own makeup line two years ago; and regularly lands endorsement deals with a wide variety of brands. The limited-edition Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic perfectly reflects Serena’s multifaceted personality. This is likely also because she was deeply involved in the creative process. “Every detail was carefully chosen,” she says. “I’ve always believed that strength and feminine energy can coexist. People often see strength, determination, and a competitive spirit, but there’s also creativity, intuition, and joy. The white ceramic conveys power and resilience, while the pink mother-of-pearl dial adds warmth and softness.” Ilaria Resta, Chief Executive Officer at Audemars Piguet, is also delighted with the collaboration: “Serena’s influence extends far beyond sports. With discipline, constant reinvention, and a strong sense of community, she continues to blaze new trails for women in a wide variety of fields.” It’s not just design enthusiasts and sports fans who are likely to be thrilled by this limited edition. It’s guaranteed to land on every collector’s wish list as well. Because the watch’s inner workings are just as exciting: The new Caliber 6401 replaces the famous Caliber 2385 and now powers the 500 pieces of the Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic. When Serena Williams returns to the court—after her retirement announced in 2022 turned out not to be quite so final—we’ll know just which delicate colors will sparkle on her wrist. “For me, this watch is a reminder that you don’t have to choose between strength and grace—you can combine both,” she says. This mindset has taken the professional athlete far. So far, in fact, that even at 45, she’s not hanging up her racket—and has us all wondering whether the rules in professional sports might be a little too strict after all.
“SERENA WILLIAMS” ROYAL OAK CHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIC LIMITED EDITION
38 mm diameter, soft pink mother-of-pearl dial, white ceramic middle case, bezel, crown, and integrated bracelet—and the brand-new Caliber 6401. These are the key specifications of the limited-edition “Serena Williams” Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph. And the emotional aspects? Well, the queen of tennis has infused the watch with both her fighting spirit and her gentle side: Ceramic is prized for its exceptional durability. Pink symbolizes feminine energy, intuition, and inner strength—qualities one loves to wear on one’s wrist. The new Caliber 6401 was developed entirely in-house and recently introduced in the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections. Don’t wait too long: The watch is limited to 500 pieces. audemarspiguet.com
You can see more about the limited-edition Serena Williams collection here.
Photos: © Audemars Piguet
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