Swiss Manufacture Audemars Piguet is proud to present its new line of Millenary timepieces, which were unveiled during the Dubai Watch Week. First created in 1995, the latest women’s Millenary collection was launched in 2015. Inspired by contemporary design, architecture and art, the Millenary has been imagined from the inside out, exposing its different layers all the way through to the beating heart of the watch thanks to a hand-wound manufacture movement built back to front.
In 2018, new ‘second-skin type’ metal bracelets are added to the white and pink gold cases launched in 2015. 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. Further to the Milanese bracelet, which was fashionable in the 50’s and 60’s, 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.
In addition to the metal bracelets, the Millenary line is also enriched by a new version featuring an Opal dial, introducing this fine stone for the first time on a Millenary timepiece. It also presents the frosted Gold finishing technique, which Audemars Piguet has only used on the Royal Oak collection so far.
The frosted Gold finishing technique has been created in collaboration with Florentine jewellery 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. 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 Millenary can also be complemented by its new line of straps allowing women to give their look a new edge. Now offering new textures, patterns and colours that can be switched endlessly, Audemars Piguet women’s watch designs do not only echo changing lifestyles, but also capture the character of the women who wear them.
