Audemars Piguet Dual Time Millenary Maserati

Tradition, excellence and daring : the watchmaking firm Audemars Piguet and the car manufacturer Maserati share a number of values.Those that have established the success of their respective companies and enabled the creation of exceptional watches and cars. No doubt because each of them, out of a constant concern for perfection characterised by major technological innovations,has developed an inimitable style.

This creation dedicated to the Italian carmaker forms part of the Millenary collection, whose case evokes the architecture of the Rome Coliseum. The oval shape of this case, featuring both modernism and classicism,is particularly suited to this new interpretation,inspired by the Maserati design and spirit.

For this edition,the sides of the Millenary case are now straight,and thus,through their very pronounced taut lines,in opposition with the gentleness of the oval shape.Moreover,to improve the general ergonomics of the watch and increase its volume,the crystal and case-back are cambered.

The crown adopts a more structured shape.All changes which,on this atypical geometric shape,required the use of novel manufacturing processes,especially for the case finishing stages.

For its dial,the Audemars Piguet Dual Time Millenary Maserati takes on revolutionary three-dimensional looks.The dial consists of four separate pieces,two of which - the main hour circle and the power reserve indication area - are inclined at different angles and oriented toward the centre, thus lending an astonishing relief structure to the whole.The analogue date display and the two hour circles are offset at their centre.

Whatever the version,the hour and minute hands,luminescent and off-centred,move round the main dial with its Arabic numerals.This sober decor is enhanced by the famous Maserati symbol,the gold applique trident,and two touches of bright red:the hand designating the hours of the day or night and the 31st day of the month,to which is added,only for the pink gold timekeeper,the power reserve indication when the latter is nearing its end.

Finally,for the celebration,the case-back is stamped with the "Audemars Piguet Millenary" and "Limited Edition" indications and the commemorative logo "Maserati Anniversary 90". It was in 1990 that the Dual-Time calibre was launched in the marketplace,the first wristwatch powered by a single movement capable of displaying two time zones simultaneously.

In a self-winding watch, the energy needed for operation is produced by the movements of the wrist.This mechanical energy is harnessed by an oscillating weight with an 18-carat gold segment and transmitted to the mainspring through a gear-train.

As the spring winds gradually around an arbor,it stores this energy,which is subsequently restored in a controlled manner to the watch movement.The maximum power reserve is reached after a period of time varying from several hours to some days,depending on the owner and the amount of physical activity.

To prevent overtensioning of the mainspring,it is released at the appropriate moment by a sophisticated system which allows it to slip inside the barrel drum.

Technical data for movement:

Overall height of movement : 4.90 mm

Overall diameter of movement : 26.60 mm (113/4 lignes)

Casing diameter : 26.00 mm (111/2 lignes)

Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)

Number of jewels : 37

Power reserve at full wind : 40 hours

Automatic winding in one direction (to the left)

Gold-coloured barrel, coated with a gold/copper/cadmium alloy

Bearing-mounted rotor, with 21-carat gold segment

'KIF Elastor ' shock safety system for balance

Balance wheel with moment of inertia adjustable by means of 4 gold screws (thread dia.: 0.29 mm)

Fine control system

Number of parts : 261