The Millenary Collection, designed in 1995, provides a new three-dimensional take on the calibre. this satisfyingly ovoid wristwatch is based on a model from the early 1950s. Now, Audemars Piguet’s gorgeous Millenary Collection is back with fresh ‘second-skin type’ metal bracelets, added to the superb white and rose gold cases that were released two years ago.
The case and dial remain unchanged; however, the bracelet’s Polish finishing completely transforms the watch, giving it a vintage look that matches the oval shape of the case and the roman numerals on the dial.
Audemars Piguet Millenary Collection
Further to the Milanese bracelet, which was fashionable in the 50s and 60s, the Polish finishing on these metal bracelets offers a comfortable feel on the wrist, just like a second skin, and also provides a new, more supple meshing enriched by several adjustable links (every 5 mm) to perfectly fit every woman.
The Polish bracelet is the result of rolling-up a thread around an axis. This thread is then directed to the right, then to the left, to create a regular alternation, whereas on the Milanese bracelet, the wires are all threaded in the same direction. The Polish finishing offers new challenges to the production process, as each bracelet is individually handmade.
Audemars Piguet Millenary Collection
Love it or hate it, Frosted Gold is also back and it looks surprisingly subdued this time around. If you don’t recall, the Frosted Gold finish is part of a collaboration with the jewelry designer Carolina Bucci. The defining feature of the Frosted Gold resides in its shimmering sparkle, which in turn comes from a surface treatment process rooted in an ancient gold “hammering” technique, also called the Florentine technique. By beating the gold with a diamond tipped pneumatic tool vibrating at 200Hz (12,000 beats/minute), it creates tiny indentations on the surface that give a sparkle effect similar to that of precious stones, like diamond dust.
Audemars Piguet Millenary Collection
For this new Millenary, the bezel, the inner bezel, the top of the lugs and the case’s sides at 9 and 3 o’clock have been frosted.
The case, in 18kt rose or white gold, measures mm. It has double AR-coated sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to 20 meters. Movement is the Swiss manual-wind Audemars Pigeut in-house caliber 5201 with 19 jewels, 21,600 vph and a power reserve of 50 hours.
Audemars Piguet Millenary Collection
Dials can be had in white mother-of-pearl or white opal, with off-centered disc and small seconds counter, powdery gold-toned or anthracite Roman numeral transfers, rose gold hands. It comes on a hand-made 18kt rose or white gold bracelet with folding clasp, or on a blue rubber strap with an 18kt rose gold pin buckle. Available additional alligator straps in light blue and black.
Prices aren’t available yet, but we’ll be sure to update you once we get closer to SIHH.
