For 150 years, Audemars Piguet has stood as a beacon of haute horlogerie, pushing the boundaries of watchmaking with a blend of tradition and innovation. To celebrate this monumental anniversary, the brand has unveiled a stunning new collection of perpetual calendars and flying tourbillons, demonstrating its enduring mastery of high complications and its forward-thinking approach to design.
The Perpetual Calendar Reimagined: More Wearable, More Intuitive
The headline-grabbing releases are undoubtedly the new perpetual calendars, which introduce a more compact and user-friendly experience. For the first time, Audemars Piguet is offering this poetic complication in a highly wearable 38mm case size within both the iconic Royal Oak and Code 11.59 collections.
This downsized format is made possible by the introduction of two new self-winding movements, the Calibre 7136 and Calibre 7138. These calibers, protected by five patents, are not only impressively thin but also feature a groundbreaking “all-in-the-crown” adjustment system. This ingenious innovation eliminates the need for traditional case-side correctors, allowing the wearer to set all functions—day, date, month, and leap year—directly through the crown. This simple, intuitive design is a testament to Audemars Piguet’s commitment to enhancing the day-to-day experience of its collectors.
The new perpetual calendars are presented in three distinct and captivating variations: a Code 11.59 in pink gold with a lush green dial, a stainless steel Royal Oak with a light-blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial, and a pink gold Royal Oak with a warm beige “Grande Tapisserie” dial. Each model showcases the brand’s meticulous craftsmanship, from the refined finishing of the movements visible through the sapphire casebacks to the stunning dial textures.
The Art of the Flying Tourbillon: A Symphony of Stone
Complementing the perpetual calendars, Audemars Piguet has also released a trio of new Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillons. These limited-edition timepieces showcase the Maison’s long-standing tradition of using natural stone dials, creating a breathtaking fusion of technical prowess and artistic expression.
Each watch features a flying tourbillon, a technical marvel that appears to float weightlessly, unhindered by a traditional upper bridge. This “flying” architecture allows the dial to take center stage, serving as a mesmerizing backdrop for the intricate mechanism. The dials are crafted from natural stones—ruby root, sodalite, and malachite—each matched to a precious-metal case that amplifies the stone’s unique tone.
Powered by the ultra-thin Calibre 2968 movement, conceived specifically for smaller cases, these 38mm tourbillons are a masterclass in elegant design and engineering. The collection is not just a celebration of a milestone but also a bold statement of Audemars Piguet’s unwavering pursuit of horological excellence, proving that even after 150 years, the brand continues to surprise and delight the world.
