Counting calibres

Audemars Piguet celebrates 150 years with perpetual calendar models

- KANOKPORN CHANASONGKRAM

From the very beginning in 1875, astronomical timepieces had been in Audemars Piguet's pipeline. The following two decades saw modifications of a pocket watch featuring a perpetual calendar at its humble workshop in Le Brassus.

The oldest Swiss watchmaker still in the hands of its founding families continues to evolve the classic complication through calibres 5134 and 5133, developed in the 2010s.

On the occasion of its 150th anniversary in 2025, the company unveiled the new-generation Calibre 7138, which powers a Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet and two Royal Oak models as well as three corresponding limited editions - all housed in a 41mm case.

Notably, Audemars Piguet has eliminated age-old correctors normally inserted in the side of the case because these user-friendly perpetual calendar wristwatches boast an all-in-one crown for adjustments of all functions. Five years of development culminated in this horological feat, which is protected by five patents.

The microengineering, based on Calibre 7121, firstly makes the new self-winding movement beat at a frequency of 4Hz while delivering a minimum power reserve of 55 hours.