Audemars Piguet first created the Millenary watch in 1995 and the latest collection was launched in 2015. The Millenary collection derives influence from modern design, architecture, and art. The skeletonized piece has been given an upgrade of sorts. The inner workings are true to the original with a hand-wound Manufacture movement calibre 5201. Each Millenary watch also offers the same three functions: hours, minutes, and small seconds. The hours and minutes are in the larger of the two dials that grace the oval case, and the smaller dial shows the seconds.
But let’s look at what has been changed and modernized – the strap. Or the bracelet, as some call it. The brilliant minds at Audemars Piguet know that changing a strap can change the look of the entire wristwatch. Let’s check out the three beauties in this collection.
First
The first watch in the Millenary trio is the pink gold version. The vintage look of the oval case is enhanced by the mother-of-pearl dials for the hours and minutes, and the small seconds. The Roman numeral hour markers, off-set, are a nice touch too. The case is in 18-carat pink gold, complemented by the 18-carat pink gold bracelet.
The metal bracelet now features the new ‘second-skin type’ with the Polish finishing, which brings an entirely fresh look and feel to the watch. The Polish bracelet is a masterpiece of artistry – gold thread is rolled up around an axis, taking alternate left and right directions, to create a pattern that is not only visually appealing, it is smooth and comfortable on the wrist.
Second
The second watch in the collection is the white gold version. Similar to the first watch, this has the Polish bracelet, but this time in white gold. While the all-white-gold look in a watch is classic and irreplaceable, the touches of pink gold in this timepiece add to the overall aesthetic. This watch also features the Frosted Gold finishing technique, previously only used on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. It looks as if you have hundreds or thousands of teeny tiny precious stones on the surface of your masterpiece. Like diamond dust has been generously sprinkled on your watch.
Third
The third watch is the pink gold watch which also has touches of white gold and the name Audemars Piguet right on the skeletonized dial. While all three watches in this collection have the same functions (hours, minutes, and small seconds), this version has a slightly different dial – opal instead of mother-of-pearl. The rubber strap and lack of hour markers make this version the more millennial-friendly Millenary.
A Thousand Reasons
Audemars Piguet has not only reintroduced a well-loved classic in the Millenary watch, but they have given us three amazing interpretations of it. Strap one on and fall in love with it.
