PRE SIHH Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater

• 
  
  
  
  
  
• 
• Share on Tumblr

• FRANCAIS

At the time of its founding in 1875, Audemars Piguet already made minute repeater and Grande Sonnerie (or grand strike) models. As time went by, it added other complications, such as a perpetual calendar and a chronograph, as well as a power reserve indication in 1885. The experience thus acquired enabled it to make the first minute repeater wristwatch in 1892. This masterpiece of miniaturisation lastingly inscribed this complication in the brand’s genes, to the extent that in the late 1980s, when there was no more research on these models that had sadly fallen into oblivion, Audemars Piguet became one of the first manufacturers to revive this genre.

The new Millenary Minute Repeater is entirely in line with this longstanding tradition, while adopting the latest technological breakthroughs developed by Audemars Piguet, starting with the new AP escapement. As an essential component in the smooth running of a watch, the escapement serves to sequence the linear energy transmitted by the barrel. Drawing inspiration from a mechanism created in the late 18th century by a watchmaker named Robin, Audemars Piguet developed a new escapement combining the high efficiency of a direct-impulse escapement with the reliability of a Swiss lever escapement. The watchmakers in Le Brassus thereby succeeded in reducing the energy losses and in eliminating the need to lubricate the pallet-stones. This groundbreaking technical development in turn enhanced rating accuracy, long-term stability and shock-resistance.

A sophisticated device
Conceived, developed and produced by Audemars Piguet, the new hand-wound Calibre 2910 driving the Millenary Minute Repeater is also distinguished by the atypical construction of the regulating organ. The latter is composed, not of one balance spring, but of two balance-springs placed top to tail. This flat opposite-facing double balance-spring system boasts numerous advantages: it ensures automatic compensation for potential poising flaws; eliminates the need for the “overcoil” terminal curves of so-called “Breguet-type” balance-springs, which are always very tricky to make; and also does away with the imprecision resulting from the vertical position of the watch without needing to resort to such a sophisticated device as the tourbillon. All these special features serve to ensure finer adjustment of the balance and spring assembly oscillating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour.
The two movement barrels guarantee an exceptional seven-day power reserve. A third barrel dedicated to the striking mechanism is two and a half times larger than normal, and enhances the regularity of the note. Finally, in terms of security, the Millenary Minute Repeater is equipped with a balance-stop system designed to ensuring timesetting that is accurate to the nearest second. The new winding system also features a security device that prevents time-setting while the striking mechanism is in operation, thus avoiding any risk of inappropriate handling.

Dynamic three-dimensional architecture
Such refined mechanical features naturally deserved to be matched by equally exceptional finishing. The oval-shaped Millenary case in brushed titanium – a material featuring exceptional resonance qualities – is framed by a polished titanium bezel. The various organs within are barely concealed by the anthracite grey hours and minutes subdial offset at 3 o’clock, and by the small seconds at 7 o’clock. Particular care has been lavished on the hand-polished bevelling, on the interior angles and on the concentric circular-grained motif. The movement is also adorned by a horizontal “Côtes de Genève” pattern. This wealth of details is visible both from the top and through the transparent caseback, which together serve to highlight a particularly dynamic three dimensional architecture.
Through its impressive combination of performances and technological accomplishments, the Audemars Piguet Millenary Minute Repeater makes a decisive new contribution to the history of this collection.

Technical Details

• Reference 26371TI.OO.D002CR .01
• Movement
  • Manufacture Audemars Piguet Calibre 2910
  • Offset hours/minutes at 3 o’clock, offset minutes at 7 o’clock
  • Three-position winding crown
  • Repeater slide serving to activate the minute repeater at 7 o’clock
  • Movement dimensions (width and thickness): 37.90 x 32.90 mm
  • Casing diameter (width and thickness): 37 x 32 mm
  • Total movement thickness: 10.05 mm
  • Direct-impulse AP escapement
  • Variable-inertia balance fitted with inertia-blocks
  • Diameter of the balance: 11.90 mm
  • Flat double balance-spring
  • Power reserve: 165 hours
  • Frequency: 21.600 vph (3Hz)
  • Number of parts: 443
  • Number of jewels: 40
  • Finishing: all parts finished by hand, with hand-polished bevelling, interior angles, snailing, hand-draw file strokes, horizontal “Côtes de Genève” motif and circular-graining on the mainplate
• Case
  • Titanium oval case
  • Width: 47 mm
  • Thickness: 42 mm
  • Sapphire crystal caseback
  • Non water-resistant
• Dial
  • Anthracite grey dial, applied pink gold Roman numerals, silvered small seconds subdial
• Strap
  • Hand-sewn black crocodile leather “with large square scales”, fastened by a titanium AP folding clasp
• Functions
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Small seconds
  • Minute repeater

Ce qui ont lu cette article ont aussi lu:

Rejoignez la communauté des montres