Passion

In 1978, Audemars Piguet caused a sensation by introducing the first ultra-thin selfwinding perpetual calendar. The watchmakers in Le Brassus are now paying tribute to this creation with a special anniversary limited edition of 90. The barely 4 mm thick movement of the Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar represents a spectacular feat of miniaturisation.

How can a timepiece, merely by the meshing of its toothed wheels, levers and clicks, successfully indicate the day, the date, the month, the moon phases and leap-year cycle? The perpetual calendar system is an admirable mechanical reproduction of our calendar.

No correction before March 1st 2100

The irregularity of the 30- or 31-day months is controlled by a cam – which is itself connected to a wheel – on which the various lengths of the months are defined. On the same axis, a new wheel bearing a cam indicating standard months of February and a leap-year month of February performs one turn every four years and is thus able to take the leap-year cycle into account. This means that the Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar will require no correction before March 1st 2100. All that will be required on this date is to actuate the correctors positioned on the side of the case, and the mechanism will be fully readjusted for another century.

The broad bezel diameter facilitates reading off the time as well as the various calendar subdials. The latter are surrounded by a polished decorated fillet that highlights their snailed décor making a pleasing contrast with the satin-brushed finish of the dial. However, its radiance is essentially due to the Tuscany shade of blue specially selected for this occasion and which is unmistakably reminiscent of the skies graced with angelic figures as depicted in the works of 15th century Florentine painters. Combined with the noble platinum case and white gold hands and hour-markers, it vividly expresses the fresh take on classicism embodied in the Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar.

Technical specifications

Reference
26000PT.OO.D028CR.01
Limited series of 90

Movement
Calibre: 2120/2802, ultra-thin, selfwinding
Total diameter: 121/2 lignes (28.4 mm)
Casing-diameter: 28 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
38 jewels
355 parts
Power reserve: up to 40 hours
Cadence of the balance: 19,800 vibrations per hour
Finishing: all movement parts bevelled, adorned with a “côtes de Genève” motif and circular-grained

Case: 950 platinum, diameter: 41 mm, thickness: 9.15 mm, sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistance: 20 m

Dial
Tuscany blue dial with white gold applied hour-markers
White gold hour and minute hands

Strap: “Large square-scale” hand-sewn alligator leather with platinum AP folding clasp

Functions: Hours and minutes, day, date, month, leap-year indication, moon phases ■

A new collection by Audemars Piguet will be presented at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, from April 7-12, 2008: the Ladies’ Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph and Lady Royal Oak in pink gold.

Audemars Piguet treats its Lady Royal Oak and Ladies’ Royal Oak Offshore to the beauty of pink gold. Often used in ancient times to sheathe pyramids and obelisks, gold was considered the flesh of the gods, symbolising radiance and fertility. Stemming from a copper-rich alloy, it takes on shimmering rosy tints. The Lady Royal Oak and Ladies’ Royal Oak Offshore watches, from the sportiest to the smartest, now come clothed in these warm, gentle shades, magnifying every moment and each occasion. To borrow the words of the great Edith Piaf song La Vie en Rose (Life in Pink), “worries and sorrows fade away”. Each event is imbued with the silent message of precious objects: “a share of happiness”, glowing softly on a woman’s wrist.

Ladies’ Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
The Ladies’ Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph combines gem-set pink gold with various subtle shades of white. Its rubber-moulded bezel and pushers echo the white rubber strap, while the magnificent dial is graced with a “Méga Tapisserie” guilloché engraved motif against a white mother-of-pearl background. This delightful visual effect is further enhanced by the collection’s famous entirely diamond-pavé “strongbox” case. The splendid result is unmistakably contemporary and irresistibly elegant.
Technical Specifications
Movement: Calibre 2385, selfwinding, 37 jewels, 40-hour power reserve: up to 40 hours, 21,600 vibrations per hourTotal diameter: 11.50 lignes (26.20 mm)
Casing-diameter: 11.25 lignes (25.60 mm)
Total thickness: 5.50 mm
Finishing: all parts meticulously decorated; circular-grained and sandblasted mainplate, countersunk holes; circular-grained bridges adorned with “côtes de Genève” motif
Case: 18-carat pink gold entirely set with 323 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 5.90 carats), white vulcanised rubber-moulded bezel steel screws, white vulcanised rubber-moulded 18-carat pink gold crown and pushers
Diameter: 37 mm
Caseback engraved with the Royal Oak Offshore logo
Water-resistance: 20 m
Dial: eight diamond hour-markers, white mother-of-pearl counters, 18-carat pink gold hour and minute hands, pink gold counter hands, Black sweep seconds hand
Strap: White vulcanised rubber, AP double-blade folding clasp in 18-carat pink gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds
Functions: Hours and minutes, small seconds, chronograph with sweep seconds hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, date

In 2006, Audemars Piguet successfully launched the Millenary range. The brand is now enriching the ladies’ collection with two inseparable white and black models featuring a blend of contemporary spirit and vintage charm. These new steel basics are designed for day and evening wear, admirably complementing both casual and elegant styles.

In these new interpretations, the signature oval case of the Millenary collection highlights the contrast between alternating polished and satin-brushed stainless steel surfaces, like a black- and-white photo with its subtle interplay of light and shade. The bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds imparts its own distinctive radiance.

In this fascinating pairing, the dials feature two distinct zones: a light silvery or snailed black offset disc displaying Arabic numerals; and a light silvery or black half-moon with Roman numerals, adorned with a flinqué motif. This astonishingly modern design is a reminder that time is above all a question of emotions. The selfwinding movement driving the Millenary Black & White watches maintains the perfect tempo.

The Millenary takes to the keyboard. It leads us into a long night, alternating between languorous tunes or spirited rhythms, and allows us to caress the dream of an artist’s life. A pulsating design: 18-carat white gold case, satin-brushed and polished or set with diamonds, white mother-of-pearl dial, off-centred hour zone, rimmed by a light decorative fillet and featuring Roman numerals or a sparkling pavé motif, black piano keys, enhanced with thin lines etched into the mother-of-pearl of the dial

The perfect chord: Calibre 3120

The Audemars Piguet selfwinding movement imparts a special cadence to the Millenary Pianoforte watch: the direct-drive central seconds avoids friction, the cross-through balance bridge ensures enhanced reliability, an over 60-hour power reserve guarantees running accuracy, a balance-stop device keeps the seconds hand motionless during the time-setting process, the adjustment remains stable thanks to a variable-inertia balance equipped with eight inertia-blocks, an arrangement that is also conducive to accuracy, the calendar makes an instant jump, the date can be adjusted rapidly, the bidirectional automatic winding is ensured by a 22-carat gold rotor mounted on a ceramic ball-bearing mechanism.

Technical specifications

Reference: 15325BC.OO.D600CR.01
18-carat white gold case
Limited series of 500

Reference: 15326BC.ZZ.D600CR.01
Case, bezel and lugs in 18-carat white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, diamond-pavé dial
Limited series of 250

Movement

Calibre: 3120, selfwinding, exclusive to AP
Total diameter: 26.60 mm
Casing-diameter: 11.5 lignes (25 mm)
Thickness: 4.26 mm
40 jewels
278 parts
22-carat gold oscillating weight
Power reserve: up to 60 hours
Cadence of the balance: 21,600 vibrations per hour
Variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and flat hairspring Geneva-type mobile balance-spring stud-holder
Three-position winding-stem
Finishing: all parts decorated by hand; mainplate circular-grained; bridges rhodium-plated, bevelled, snailed and adorned with the “côtes de Genève” motif
Oscillating weight engraved with the AP monogram and the Audemars and Piguet family crests
Cases: 18-carat white gold or 18-carat white gold entirely set with 311 brilliant-cut diamonds ( 2.90 carats)
Dimensions: 45 x 40 mm

Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly one of the icon figures in basketball. His 7 ft. 1 in. frame has towered over the American and world scene since his debut in 1992, when he was selected as the first choice from the line-up of rookies by the Orlando Magic team and distinguished himself as Rookie of the Year in 1993. His career has gone from success to success with each new season. This year, he topped the magic 25,000-point barrier. The Manufacture Audemars Piguet is proud to be associated with this virtuoso player and has created the Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal Chronograph in his honour.

A great man and his watch

Audemars Piguet owed it to itself to create a timepiece to match this basketball legend. The Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal Chronograph comes with an oversized stainless steel case measuring a massive 48 mm in diameter, and reinterprets the signature features of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, while proudly bearing the white and red Miami Heat colours.

The black dial with its exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” guilloché motif provides the perfect backdrop for the white Superluminova-coated hour and minute hands, as well as the 30-minute, 12-hour counters and small seconds chronograph hands. The central seconds hand sports the colour red, echoed on the tachometric scale and the inverted 3 and 2 numerals - a nod to those who will recognise Shaquille’s famous number 32. In its white gold version with gem-set bezel, this magical number is further enhanced by sparkling rubies. Finally, the red stitching on the strap sets the finishing touch to this stunning model.

Performance and perfection

The Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal Chronograph houses an exclusive Audemars Piguet selfwinding calibre. This movement combines the qualities of sturdiness, reliability and rating precision thanks to the following characteristics:

- up to 60-hour power reserve: by supplying constant force over a longer time-span, the mainspring ensures enhanced rating accuracy;
- a cross-through balance-cock, which reinforces the reliability of the movement;
- time-setting to the nearest second thanks to the balance-stop mechanism that serves to immobilise the seconds hand;
- precise and stable adjustment thanks to the variable-inertia balance equipped with eight inertia-blocks;
- fast date correction with an integrated security system avoiding any risk of date disc blockage when the adjustment occurs at midnight;
- bidirectional automatic winding of the mainspring by means of a 22-carat gold rotor mounted on a ball-bearing mechanism.

The traditional 3840 chronograph is integrated with this base calibre. The Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal Chronograph thereby perpetuates the inventive spirit that has made the Manufacture in Le Brassus an undisputed benchmark among those with a taste for performance and perfection.