Audemars Piguet 2010 New Watch - Royal Oak Equation of Time Watch

Even among the most prestigious Swiss watch manufacturers, the equation of time complication is one not often encountered. However, this ingenious astronomic indication showing the difference in minutes between true solar time and civil time has been a consistent offering for Audemars Piguet since the Jules Audemars Equation of Time appeared in 2000. In 2010, the equation of time makes its debut in the brand's legendary Royal Oak watch collection, being introduced in both a stainless steel and an 18-karat pink gold version. The complex movements in these prestigious timepieces also animate a perpetual calendar with moon phases and leap year indication, as well as displays for the times of sunrise and sunset.

This is one of the larger Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches, although its 42mm case diameter makes it quite a bit smaller than many of the more overtly sporty Royal Oak Offshore models. A delightful creation of casual elegance, the Royal Oak case in gold or stainless steel displays the impeccable finishing and striking angular design which has made it a luxury icon for more than three decades. A predominantly brushed finish is contrasted by hand-executed polished bevels around the strap attachments; the famous octagon bezel is similarly contrasted, and displays the indispensable 6-sided white gold bolts which merge with the screws of the same material seen on the caseback. Silvered dials reflect pure Royal Oak heritage, with the signature "grande tapisserie" waffle pattern, and slender ovoid hands and hour markers in polished pink or white gold. The hands for the various calendar indications, as well as those showing sunrise and sunset times are crafted from blued steel--an elegant touch that provides superb contrast and tremendous visual allure. Small corrector buttons found on the case flanks are present to enable setting of the moon phase indicator and the various displays of the perpetual calendar.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Equation of Time watch rightfully possesses a sapphire crystal exhibition window in the caseback. This allows a clear view of the remarkable 2120 caliber, and its perfectly decorated bridges and skeletonized rotor showing the Audemars Piguet initials and fine engraving work. (However, the rotor can also display symbols or initials chosen by the client) In this complex iteration, known as 2120/2808, the movement comprises 423 parts in total, each being meticulously finished by hand according to the most demanding standards of traditional haute horlogerie. Despite the complexity, overall height is just 5.35mm, a fact which can largely be attributed to the remarkable 2.45mm of the AP 2120 base--to this day, the slimmest self-winding caliber with central rotor in the world. The variable inertia balance with its Masselotte regulating weights beats at the infrequently encountered rate of 19,800 vibrations per hour, and power reserve is 40 hours when the barrel is fully tightened.

Much of the action in the Royal Oak Equation of Time watch takes place out of sight, beneath the dial. The complex perpetual calendar mechanism adjusts itself through the year in accord with the lengths of various months, and even the cycle of leap years. A 135-toothed wheel used by Audemars Piguet for the moon phase indication results in remarkable accuracy for this classical complication: after 122 years of continuous operation, the moon indicator will show a difference from the actual lunar cycle of just one day! Specialized cams, which are calculated for the varying latitudes around the globe allow for an accurate, customized indication of the sunrise and sunset times. The city specified by the client from among 250 possible choices is the one which appears on the angled rim of the dial, along with the graduated scale that the equation of time is read from. The equation of time hand also offers another remarkable feature in this watch: it can reveal the exact moment when the sun is at its culmination point.

Audemars Piguet will produce small numbers of the Royal Oak Equation of Time watch each year, although it will not be a limited edition series, Whether in 18K gold or steel, the reference is fitted to a hand-sewn crocodile leather strap and the elegant folding clasp which when open, presents the gracefully joined AP initials.

Audemars Piguet Millenary Quincy Jones Limited Edition Watch

Audemars Piguet has released several different variations of the Millenary, and I think this one is by far its best. It is a watch unconditionally fitting of a Music Impresario such as Quincy Jones. The watch – limited to 500 pieces – has a blackened and polished steel case with the Millenary’s signature “off-center” positioning of the hours, minutes and seconds functions. The case back is engraved with Quincy Jones’ signature, and also reads “Millenary Quincy Jones – Limited Edition” as a reminder of its exclusivity. The piece is comes on a black leather strap with matching “AP” folding clasp. The watch contains Audemars Piguet’s in-house Caliber 3120.

Who is Quincy Jones, you ask? He is arguably the most successful and accomplished musician, composer, producer, arranger and conductor of all time! Some of you may know him as the producer of Thriller, by late pop icon Michael Jackson. Others, for his landmark 1989 album, Back On The Block–named “Album Of The Year” at the 1990 Grammy Awards– which brought such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Miles Davis together with Ice T, Big Daddy Kane and Melle Mel to create the first fusion of the be bop and hip hop musical traditions. You can click here to learn more about him on The Official Quincy Jones Website.

Audemars Piguet and Sports

Even though when having to relate Audemars Piguet to ssport we would usually think about it Royal Oak Offshore and its connection to the ocean, the luxurious wristwatch company is also related to other sports such as: golf, basketball, cricket or sky.

According to basketball, the company has honoured the dominating championship Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal with its Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal edition.

(Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal)

Audemars Piguet's legendary Royal Oak Offshore proves that this design is one of the greatest in high luxury sports watches. Introduced more than twelve years ago as a variation to their already successful Royal Oak watch collection, Audemars Piguet produced a watch which further expanded boundaries in both luxury and size, paving the way for much of todays current celebration of boldly dimensioned watches, as well as the enthusiastic acceptance of unconventional materials such as carbon fibre or rubber for luxury timepieces. The Offshore watch collection from Audemars Piguet encompasses everything from an automatic chronograph with date, to an automatic chronograph with full perpetual calendar and moonphases. Stunning limited editions such as the Offshore Alinghi Polaris or the Offshore Rubens Barrichello series incorporate innovative materials or technical solutions that are refreshingly unconventional, yet perfectly in tune with the ethic of perfection that Audemars Piguet has pursued as a manufacturer of haute horlogerie since its founding in 1875.

Regarding to cricket, Sachin “Little Master” Tendulkar was Audermars Piguet’s ambassador for years because of its exceptional punch style of hitting the ball.

(Sachin “Little Master” Tendulkar)

According to golf, more than ten ambassadors represent the company like the open champion Cristie Kerr, Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh or Morgan Pressel

(Cristie Kerr)

The Royal Oak Offshore watch line from Audemars Piguet demonstrates Audemars Piguet's ability to cultivate classic designs which continue to captivate watch lovers. Offered in a variety of metals, including steel, titanium, gold, and platinum, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch collection shows off the immaculate finish work that has long distinguished the Royal Oak watch line.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: Nick Faldo

Nick Faldo (b.1957) was one of European’s best golf players in the 1980s and 1990s, and recently honored with nighthood (Sir Nick Faldo) in recognition of an incredible sporting career by the English queen. What most golfers probably do not know (with the exception of the watch connoisseurs amongst them), is the long time partnership between Nick Faldo and Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet, King of special editions, created three different Royal Oak watches to honor golf legend Nick Faldo. The first model showed up in 1992, with reference 14790. A rose gold Royal Oak, limited to 325 pieces. In 1997, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Nick Faldo edition ref.15090, limited to 150 pieces in stainless steel. And last not but least, and probably the most recognizable Nick Faldo edition, is the 2002 Royal Oak ref. 15190, limited to 450 pieces. This last model has a platinum bezel and a stainless steel case and bracelet. The 1997 model and the 2002 model both came with a Nick Faldo golf bag by Mizuno. The golf clubs have the Nick Faldo signature and the AP logo, embedded in their famous octagonal shape.

This ref. 15090 Royal Oak Nick Faldo edition comes without the sought after golf bag, but is still worth acquiring/collecting without one. For 4750 EU, you have quite a limited Royal Oak (40mm) in pretty good condition that you won’t see on someone else’s wrist. This Royal Oak has caliber 2225 ticking inside, based on the famous Jaeger LeCoultre caliber 889/1 movement, regarded for being an excellent automatic winding movement. It wasn’t until 2005 that Audemars Piguet did a follow-up on this movement by their own in-house caliber 3120 as found in the current line of Royal Oak (Date) watches.

Although it might look like a boring composition of stainless steel (with the grey dial and all), in the flesh, it is a pretty looking watch that really stands out on your wrist. Watches like these really play with (sun)light, even the slightest ray of light will make polished parts (like the white gold screws in the bezel) shine.