Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar: The Story of Nature and Time

　　Since ancient times, humanity has gazed up at the starry vault of heaven in search of the mysteries of time. Based on the relative position of the sun, people calculated time; by observing the moon and other visible celestial bodies and constellations, they formulated calendars. Calendars allow humankind to better record time, using it as a guide for rest and labour, perpetuating generations.Audemars PiguetThe complication of the perpetual calendar represents the combination of the development of astronomical observation and the evolution of calendars. Let us take a closer look.

　　Complicated Timepieces: The Birthplace of Audemars Piguet

　　In 1875, Audemars Piguet was born in Le Brassus, a village in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. Throughout the 140 years since its founding, Audemars Piguet has continuously pushed the boundaries of thought, creating watchmaking legends. As a master of complicated timepieces, the Audemars Piguet grand complication pocket watch made its first appearance in 1882, boasting a history of over 130 years to this day.

　　Located in the north of Geneva, the Vallée de Joux has formed a natural stargazing sanctuary due to its altitude of over 1,000 metres. The distinctive terrain and frigid climate forged the resilient character of the inhabitants of the Vallée de Joux. Originating here, Audemars Piguet benefits from observing the heavens and natural wonders, tirelessly creating exceptional timepieces with exquisite craftsmanship to decipher the mysteries of nature and time. This brilliant starry sky above the Vallée de Joux inspired Audemars Piguet's initial pursuit of complex watchmaking.

　　The Stargazing Sanctuary: The Vallée de Joux, Switzerland

　　Over the long course of history, Audemars Piguet's outstanding works form a galaxy of brilliance, amongst which the perpetual calendar timepieces are particularly stunning. Indeed, the history of Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar watches even predates that of the Audemars Piguet manufacture.

　　Before the establishment of the manufacture in 1875, Jules-Louis Audemars, one of the founders of Audemars Piguet, created a perpetual calendar pocket watch towards the end of his apprenticeship. He continuously refined it in the Audemars Piguet workshop over the subsequent 20 years, and this pocket watch is still treasured in the Audemars Piguet Museum today. As an early perpetual calendar watch, beneath its 18K pink gold exterior, it simultaneously combined a perpetual calendar and quarter-repeating mechanism, whilst also housing a jumping seconds function—which was extremely rare at the time—thus engraving a breathtaking beginning in the history of Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar watchmaking.

　　A masterpiece pink gold pocket watch crafted nearly 1875 years ago by Jules-Louis Audemars, combining a perpetual calendar, quarter-repeating mechanism and jumping seconds function

　　Between the years 1882 and 1892, according to archival records, over 80% of the 1,500 timepieces produced by Audemars Piguet were equipped with at least one complication, with the majority featuring multiple complications. Perpetual calendars, minute repeaters, and chronographs have always been the strengths of Audemars Piguet, which not only inherits the philosophy of its founders but also carries forward the watchmaking traditions of the Vallée de Joux.

　　In the 1920s, Audemars Piguet began crafting distinctive perpetual calendar pocket watches, pieces that stood apart from creations by other Swiss watchmakers of the era: in 1921, Audemars Piguet launched an exceptionally rare cushion-cased perpetual calendar pocket watch combining platinum and 18K yellow gold, featuring a dial adorned with striking black Arabic numeral hour markers that fully embodied Art Deco aesthetics.

　　Audemars Piguet has consistently maintained its dedication to complications while continually innovating upon that foundation. In 1955, it pioneered the creation of the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch featuring a leap year display, Ref. 5516. In this epoch-making landmark piece, the moon phase display positioned at the 6 o'clock position and the leap year display at the 12 o'clock position are undoubtedly two instantly recognisable features. The leap year display is divided into four fan-shaped sectors to show the four-year leap cycle. The 12 months of the year are displayed more clearly and prominently on the subsidiary dial at the 3 o'clock position.

　　1955 The World's First Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch with Leap Year Display Ref. 5516

　　In 1978, the Calibre 2120/2800 self-winding manufacture movement was equally revolutionary. Born during the quartz crisis, the appearance of the Calibre 2120/2800 self-winding manufacture movement was astonishing—its thickness of 3.95 mm made it the world's thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar movement with a central rotor. The perpetual calendar wristwatch housing this ultra-thin movement, Ref. 5548, became the world's thinnest central-rotor self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. The Calibre 2120/2800 self-winding manufacture movement successfully delivered Audemars Piguet from the quartz crisis, breathing new hope into the traditional complicated watch industry, and is widely regarded as having epoch-making significance.

　　Having reached this point, I would like to recommend a best-selling Audemars Piguet watch. Interested parties, please add me on WeChat for enquiries.

　　Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Sports Watch 15703ST.OO.A002CA.01

　　Review:

　　The watch has a pragmatic and minimalist overall aesthetic, with 8 white gold screws on the stainless steel case highlighting a strong industrial style.

　　On the black grid-pattern dial, the hour and minute hands as well as the indices feature luminescence, ensuring you can accurately read the time even in darker environments.

　　The watch is paired with a rubber strap, giving it a highly sporty look.

　　Compared to the previous version, the angle of the hexagonal screws on the front is now more precise.

　　The printing and reflective effect of the date display are now more similar to the genuine article.

　　The dial and indices are identical to the genuine version, successfully recreating the beautiful, textured three-dimensional relief found on the original.

　　Summary: The above is the introduction to the brand-new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore chronograph, and furthermore, the Panerai watch I have recommended to you features exquisite craftsmanship and quality assurance; friends wishing to purchase may add WeChat for enquiries.

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