Audemars Piguet marks 150 years with a limited-edition Royal Oak and a Code 11.59 collection
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Limited to 150 pieces, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked '150th Anniversary' stands out for its technical brilliance and historical significance. This 41mm timepiece marks the swan song of the legendary Calibre 5135, which has powered AP's openworked perpetual calendars for nearly a decade.
The case and bracelet are crafted from lightweight titanium, enhanced by shimmering Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) on the bezel, caseback frame, and bracelet studs. This palladium-based alloy – renowned for its resistance to wear and corrosion – lends the watch a mirror-polished glow.
At its heart lies the Calibre 5135, an evolution of the perpetual calendar lineage that began with the groundbreaking Calibre 2120/2800 in 1978. Its openworked design reveals the intricate skeletonisation and hand-finishing, visible through both the sapphire dial and caseback. The perpetual calendar automatically adjusts for the varying lengths of months and leap years, with a moon-phase display at 6 o'clock offering a photorealistic depiction of the lunar cycle based on NASA imagery. The twin moons reflect both the northern and southern hemispheres — a nod to the universal nature of time.
The dial draws inspiration from a historical pocket watch (ref. 25729) housed in the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet"
The dial draws inspiration from a historical pocket watch (ref. 25729) housed in the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet. The deep blue inner bezel and subdial surrounds, white gold bathtub hands, and silver-grey hour markers reflect vintage elegance. The refined typeface used for the calendar indications completes the sophisticated look, while the '150' engraved on the caseback and the inscription '1 of 150 pieces' add to its exclusivity.
Code 11.59 Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie
Along with the special Royal Oak, AP's Code 11.59 collection introduces two special '150th Anniversary' Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie models. The Grande Sonnerie is among the rarest and most complex complications in watchmaking, with the ability to automatically chime the hours and quarters. The Supersonnerie mechanism enhances the sound's clarity and resonance, further elevating the acoustic experience.
One of the new Code 11.59 150th anniversary models features a mesmerising natural opal dial, a study in light, hue, and texture. It pairs an 18-carat pink gold case with a rare harlequin opal dial – a kaleidoscope of green, blue, red, and yellow hues that shift with the light. Its shimmering green inner bezel frames the dial, while pink gold hands and hour markers provide elegant contrast. The other special-edition Code 11.59 features a sapphire dial, offering an enchanting view of the hand-wound Calibre 2956 orchestrating the chiming complication. The case combines sand gold with a black ceramic case middle and crown, framed by a sand gold and rhodium-toned dial.
The Grande Sonnerie mode strikes the hours and quarters, while the Carillon mechanism employs three gongs and hammers to create a richer soundscape. The Supersonnerie's patented construction optimises sound transmission through the case, ensuring exceptional acoustic clarity and volume. Each of the five new Code 11.59 references, including the two anniversary specials, reflects AP's mastery of mechanical complexity and aesthetic finesse. The balance of materials, intricate dial textures, and the resonant chime of the Supersonnerie elevate the collection into the realm of haute horology's finest creations.
In its 150th year, AP remains true to its founding spirit – continuing to blend technical audacity with timeless artistry. These three masterpieces are not just watches; they are at once a nod to the maison's incredible legacy and an assertion of its future direction, captured in an eclectic mix of metal and glass, and measured in flawless time.
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