Daniel Wong Audemars Piguet Supersonnerie

My first minute repeater:

“The Audemars Piguet (AP) Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie is my first minute repeater. I never thought about owning a minute repeater when I first started my watch-collecting journey as prices were way out of my league then. I could only admire them by watching videos. I first got to know about the Royal Oak Supersonnerie in 2019 when Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Supersonnerie Japan edition. I never knew AP produced minute repeaters in their Royal Oak collection so when I first saw it, I was awestruck. I’ve always loved the Royal Oak design — and with a minute repeater function on top of that, what’s not to love?”

On buying the Royal Oak Supersonnerie:

“I was offered this piece this September by my local AD. Before I even got the call from them, I had already been watching videos of this particular piece on Instagram and I thought there was no way on earth I would be able to get it. But I guess I was lucky. When I received the offer, I jumped at it. A bonus is that black, the colour of its dial, is my favourite colour. What tempted me even more was that this piece is a limited-production piece, which means no one knows exactly how many pieces will be made. It could be 20, 10 or even three. I waited two months for it to be shipped from Geneva.”

Another minute repeater on my mind:

“Even before this piece, I had been eyeing the Patek Philippe 5531R World Time Minute Repeater. I’ve always been a huge fan of Patek and owning a minute repeater by them would complete my collection. My local AD submitted my application to Geneva months ago, so, fingers crossed.”

I don’t usually baby my watches, but…

“I take extra TLC of a few pieces that feel extra-delicate, such as my Patek Philippe Celestial Ref. 6102R. Another watch that I really baby is my Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-014, which is the one with the green dial. I do not and would not bring it out to parties, ever. This watch has a special place in my heart as I got it on my daughter’s birthday — the warranty card is stamped with her birth date! I will definitely pass it down to her in the future. The Supersonnerie is also on my ‘watch to baby’ list as the movement feels kind of fragile. Sometimes, with sudden, sharp movements, you can hear it ‘gong’ inside.”

Daniel Wong watch collector
Daniel Wong

(Related: Complex and unusual dials fire the imagination of watch enthusiast Daniel Wong)

How I’ve been enjoying the Royal Oak Supersonnerie:

“Hahahaha, I’ve been making it chime multiple times a day ever since I got it. The sound is amazing and addictive. With its titanium case, the chimes have a ‘crisper’ note to them compared to other minute repeaters. It’s like adding more distortion to your guitar amplifier for a heavier, rock star feel. I’ve also been going up to some of my friends and asking them if they believe that this AP can ‘make sounds’. Many of them would be doubtful, and I surprise them.”

My wearing experience:

“The wearing experience is phenomenal. It feels lighter despite being a grand complication watch due to the titanium case. It’s not a particularly attention-seeking piece as it looks like a typical Royal Oak, so you don’t have to worry about getting robbed. Only watch enthusiasts will recognise it. There have been times I was out dining and activated the minute repeater, and other diners wondered where the sound was coming from. (Laughs.) It’s definitely a fun piece to bring out.”

All images courtesy of Daniel Wong.

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