SIHH 2009: Audemars Piguet Millenary Chronograph Watch

A chronograph model will enrich the Audemars Piguet Millenary watch collection in 2009.  The luxurious oval form of the Millenary watch--inspired by the design of the Roman Coliseum--has served as a stately housing for everything from a simple automatic watch with date up to the marvelously complex Cabinet No. 5 and the MC-12 Tourbillon watch.  The addition of a chronograph confirms the dedication of the prestigious manufacturer from Le Brassus to producing a comprehensive assemblage of models which are sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.  

The Audemars Piguet Millenary Chronograph watch features a 47 x 42mm case in 18-karat pink gold; the expertly brushed surfaces convey an understated dignity, which gains a touch of opulence through polished sections on the bezel, oval chronograph pushers, and the tops of the strap lugs.  The exceptionally intricate two-zone dial effectively combines classicism with a sense of Baroque grandeur--applied rose gold Roman hour numerals flare outward on the concentrically decorated black section which also encompasses the chronograph subdials.  The brown outer section bears the strikingly exploded tachymeter scale, whose brilliant blue color is nearly as eye-catching as its flamboyant form.  The pink gold caseback is secured by screws, and bears the Millenary logo in relief.  

Animating the Audemars Piguet Millenary Chronograph watch is the self-winding Caliber 2385.  Controlled in the traditional manner by a column-wheel, the chronograph mechanism can measure intervals of time to within 1/6 second, courtesy of a balance wheel which alternates 21,600 times per hour; also featured are 12-hour and 30-minute chronograph counters, as well as displays for subsidiary seconds and the date.  Exceptionally slim, the Caliber 2385 comprises over 300 hand-finished parts.  Power reserve is 40 hours.  

The Audemars Piguet Millenary Chronograph watch is water resistant to 20 meters.  It features a sapphire crystal, and a strap in hand-sewn crocodile leather with a blue stitching that matches the dial detail.  A pink gold folding clasp in the shape of the Audemars Piguet initials provide an elegant closure around the wrist.