WATCH & JEWELRY /
SIHH＆BASEL
March 26, 2015
AUDEMARS PIGUET | 2011 S.I.H.H. Breaking News! New models born with enhanced mechanisms and designs
AUDEMARS PIGUET | Audemars Piguet
New models for the oval "Millenary" and round "Jules Audemars" boast enhanced mechanisms and designs!
New models with enhanced mechanisms and designs have arrived!
Since its founding in 1875, Audemars Piguet has been a leading presence in the Vallée de Joux watchmaking region. This year's releases are all timepieces brimming with substance, not to be missed by watch enthusiasts.
By Yasuto Shibuya
Innovative new creations from the representative manufacturer of the "Watchmaking Valley"
The Vallée de Joux, spanning from Geneva across the Jura Mountains to the French border, is a "valley of watchmaking" and an "object of desire" for watch lovers worldwide. Swiss watchmaking began with watchmakers who fled France seeking religious freedom and settled in Geneva between the 16th and 17th centuries. Around the 18th century, in the Vallée de Joux, farmers began producing watch movements and parts as a side business for Geneva-based watch manufacturers during the long winters when they were isolated by deep snow. Eventually, many excellent watchmakers, whose names are still remembered today, emerged from among them, and several venerable watchmaking companies that continue to this day were born from their hands.
Since its founding in 1875, Audemars Piguet has been a leading presence in the watchmaking industry of the Vallée de Joux.
Both in the era of pocket watches and today's wristwatches, their greatest strength lies in highly complex and ultra-thin timepieces, which demand the highest level of technical skill. They have always been very proactive in developing new mechanisms and materials. Unlike many watch brands that have changed hands or become dormant, Audemars Piguet has been consistently operated by the same family to this day, releasing numerous masterpieces that have left their mark on watch history, not only in complex watches but also in sports watches and simple watches. Even if you're unfamiliar with complex watches, you're likely aware of the "Royal Oak," the progenitor of luxury sports watches.
In 2011, several new models for the avant-garde oval "Millenary" and the classic round "Jules Audemars" were introduced, each with captivating mechanisms and designs. Additionally, new models and improved versions of classic models for the globally popular "Royal Oak" were announced. All of these are substantial timepieces that watch enthusiasts won't want to miss.
Millenary 4101
Equipped with a new movement, re-engineered from the ground up!
This new standard model of the Millenary is equipped with the new mechanical movement "Calibre 4101," which was redesigned from the ground up, even down to the individual gears, to match the oval case. In its development, Audemars Piguet utilized its latest 3D design technology to achieve a high beat rate (28,800 vibrations/hour), a Gyromax balance with precise and stable adjustment, and a Phillips balance spring.Breguethairspring), a 22-carat gold oscillating weight, and ceramic ball bearings for the rotor's pivot. These features, pursued and realized from the basic design stage, enhance precision, efficiency, and durability. Compared to the mechanical movements generally adopted by the company today, the moment of inertia of the balance wheel has been doubled, and the maintenance-free period has been significantly extended.
Self-winding, 47mm wide x 42mm high oval stainless steel case, crocodile strap, exhibition case back, 1,837,500 yen, scheduled for release in December.
Audemars Piguet Japan
Tel. 03-6830-0000