Audemars Piguet Revolutionizes The Perpetual Calendar

Yesterday was a massive day for Audemars Piguet. Audemars Piguet has unveiled a groundbreaking new perpetual calendar movement, caliber 7138, marking a significant milestone in its 150th-anniversary celebrations. This innovative self-winding movement introduces an all-in-one crown system, making it the first of its kind to allow all calendar corrections via the crown. This ergonomic advancement enhances user comfort and simplifies the perpetual calendar experience.

The new caliber 7138 debuts in three models: a 41 mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet in 18-carat white gold and two Royal Oak models in stainless steel and 18-carat sand gold. Each model showcases the brand’s commitment to blending technical complexity with intuitive design. The movement is protected by five patents, reflecting five years of meticulous development.

Traditional perpetual calendars often require additional correctors on the case side, making adjustments cumbersome. Audemars Piguet’s new crown system eliminates this need, offering four positions for winding, date and month adjustments, time setting, and day and moon phase corrections. This innovation ensures the watch can be adjusted anywhere without tools, reducing the risk of damage.

The dial design has also been reimagined for improved legibility and aesthetic harmony. The European date format is now displayed from left to right, with the day at 9 o’clock, the date at 12, and the month at 3 o’clock. A 24-hour indicator has been added to the day subdial, and the moon phase display at 6 o’clock features a realistic depiction based on a NASA photograph.

Caliber 7138 builds on the legacy of Audemars Piguet’s previous perpetual calendar movements, incorporating advancements from Caliber 5133. It boasts a 4.1 mm thickness, a 55-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement’s refined decorations, including Côtes de Genève and satin-brushing, are visible through the sapphire caseback.

To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet has released three limited-edition models, each limited to 150 pieces. These editions feature a vintage “Audemars Piguet” signature inspired by historical documents and engravings on the caseback frame, including the “150” logo and “1 of 150 pieces.”

The Code 11.59 model features a smoked blue embossed dial with concentric circles, created in collaboration with Swiss guilloché artisan Yann von Kaenel. The Royal Oak models offer a choice between a stainless steel case with a blue Grande Tapisserie dial and a sand gold version with a monochromatic aesthetic.

Audemars Piguet’s perpetual calendar legacy dates back to 1875, with milestones like the world’s thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar in 1978 and the ultra-thin RD#2 in 2018. Caliber 7138 continues this tradition, offering a user-friendly complication that combines technical innovation with timeless elegance.

The new models are water-resistant to 50 meters for the Royal Oak and 30 meters for the Code 11.59. Each watch is a testament to Audemars Piguet’s dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and ergonomic design. For watch enthusiasts and collectors, the new Caliber 7138 represents a fusion of tradition and modernity. Its intuitive design, combined with the brand’s rich heritage, makes it a standout addition to Audemars Piguet’s lineup.

The limited-edition models, with their subtle anniversary details, offer a unique opportunity to own a piece of horological history. As Audemars Piguet celebrates 150 years of innovation, Calibre 7138 sets a new standard for perpetual calendar watches, blending technical mastery with user-centric design.