BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Not so long ago, Audemars Piguet surprised us by releasing two high-complication timepieces, the Code 11:59 Openworked Tourbillon and the Minute Repeater Supersonnerie. But it seems that the surprise party isn’t over yet as the brand has just unveiled a new American market exclusive variation of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar fully clad in Titanium.
The Perpetual calendar is one of the more useful and sought-after complications in the world of horology. However, given the complexity of the mechanism and the sheer amount of information involved makes it a challenge to implement, which in my opinion has been handled well by Audemars Piguet. Presented in a cool refreshing shade of blue the dial here showcases the signature ‘Tapisserie’ pattern with lume filled baton-style hands and applied indices. Placed at 12, 3, 6 and 9 are four silver sub-dials that display the month/leap year, date of the month, Moonphase, and day of the week. Finally, on the outer periphery of the dial is a chapter ring with the week of the year that can be read using an arrow-tipped hand.
The case measures 41mm in diameter and has been made using Titanium. Like the dial, the case features the familiar Royal Oak design traits which include an angular geometry and the octagonal bezel with visible screws. Finishing on the case is top-notch as expected, and being just 9.5mm thick, the watch should wear comfortably on a wide variety of wrists. Water-resistance is limited to just 20 meters which frankly speaking feels inappropriate for a sporty watch like this.
Ticking inside the watch is Audemars Piguet’s in-house calibre 5134 that operates at an odd frequency of 2.75 Hz and offers an autonomy of around 40 hours. The movement is nicely decorated and features a skeletonized oscillating weight in real gold. The movement can be admired through the sapphire case back.
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual calendar in Titanium comes attached to an integrated titanium bracelet and will be sold exclusively in the US market at a retail price of USD 80,000.
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