Audemars Piguet knew that one watch wouldn’t be enough to celebrate 150 years of watchmaking excellence, so they went all in and gave us three. And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Each of these limited-edition timepieces brings its own personality while staying true to what makes AP, well… AP: precision, bold aesthetics, and the kind of technical mastery that keeps collectors coming back for more.
The Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar has always been a standout complication, but this time, AP has taken it even further. With Caliber 7138 at the heart of these watches, adjusting a perpetual calendar is now effortless: no tools, no fuss, just a perfectly streamlined experience. It’s a modern take on a legendary mechanism, designed for those who love complexity but don’t want to wrestle with it.
By refining both function and form, AP has made this high-complication timepiece more intuitive than ever. Let’s take a closer look at how these new AP Perpetual Calendar Watches are setting the bar even higher.
A New Era for AP Perpetual Calendar Watches
The new AP Perpetual Calendar Watches bring a new level of practicality to this highly sophisticated complication. AP has refined the design to improve both legibility and wearability, making these watches not only technical masterpieces but also daily companions. Here’s what sets them apart:
- An All-in-One Crown Adjustment: Unlike older perpetual calendars, which often require separate correctors, these models allow every function to be set via the crown.
- A Redesigned Dial Layout: The Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar now offers enhanced readability, with a European-format display (day at 9 o’clock, date at 12, and month at 3).
- Three Aesthetic Variations: Whether you prefer the sleek elegance of the Code 11.59 or the sporty sophistication of the Royal Oak, AP offers something for every collector.
- Ultra-Thin Movement: The Caliber 7138 maintains a slim 4.1mm profile, ensuring that these watches sit comfortably on the wrist.
As a nod to the brand’s heritage, these models also feature vintage-inspired details, including a classic engraved AP logo on the moon phase subdial, adding a nostalgic touch to their modern engineering. These improvements make wearing a perpetual calendar more intuitive than ever.
Why Is Caliber 7138 Significant in Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Watches?
The Caliber 7138 is a significant leap in how perpetual calendars function. Traditionally, adjusting a perpetual calendar has been a delicate process requiring extra tools. But with Caliber 7138, everything is controlled through a single crown, making it the most intuitive perpetual calendar movement AP has ever developed.
Compared to its predecessor, the Caliber 5134, which powered previous AP Perpetual Calendars, the Caliber 7138 introduces a more efficient and user-friendly system. The Caliber 5134, while revered for its technical brilliance, required pushers integrated into the case for calendar corrections, making adjustments more cumbersome. Caliber 7138 eliminates this need entirely, streamlining the experience with a single-crown adjustment system.
This movement also features a patented date disc that adjusts dynamically to fit varying digit widths, enhancing legibility, something that wasn’t optimized in earlier perpetual calendar movements. Additionally, while Caliber 5134 utilized a multi-layered movement architecture, Caliber 7138 integrates all perpetual calendar functions into a single-layer design, resulting in a slimmer, more efficient mechanism.
In short, Caliber 7138 makes the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar more practical without sacrificing precision. It’s designed for modern collectors—those who appreciate the complexity of haute horology but want a timepiece that’s effortless to wear and operate.
Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Watches with Enhanced Legibility
One of the standout improvements in these new AP Perpetual Calendar Watches is the enhanced dial readability. Perpetual calendars are known for their intricate layouts, but AP has refined the design to make information more accessible at a glance.
The Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar follows a logical, European-style format. The day indicator is positioned at 9 o’clock, the date at 12, and the month at 3. This arrangement isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it also makes reading the calendar far more intuitive.
At 12 o’clock, AP has incorporated a patented date disc that adapts to the width of the numbers, preventing awkward spacing and ensuring a clean, symmetrical look. A 24-hour indicator sits within the day subdial at 9 o’clock, providing additional functionality without cluttering the display.
Then there’s the moon phase, one of the most poetic elements of any Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar. The astronomical moon display, placed at 6 o’clock, is remarkably detailed, featuring a laser-engraved moon against a starry background. It’s a quiet but beautiful reminder that these watches are inspired by the movements of celestial bodies.
The result? A dial that maintains the complexity of a perpetual calendar while remaining highly legible and balanced.
New AP Perpetual Calendar Watches - Code 11.59 and Royal Oak
These new AP Perpetual Calendar Watches are offered in three variations, each catering to different stylistic preferences while maintaining the same technical excellence.
1. Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar 41 mm Ref. 26494BC.OO.D350KB.01
This one’s for those who love a mix of modern style and serious watchmaking chops. The Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar in 18-carat white gold brings a fresh take to AP’s perpetual calendar lineup, keeping things sleek and sophisticated.
Under the hood, it runs on the Caliber 7138, an ultra-thin automatic movement that keeps everything ticking smoothly. The deep blue aventurine dial looks like a starry night sky, setting the perfect backdrop for the moon phase complication. The ultra-thin case adds a refined touch, while the curved sapphire crystal makes the whole thing pop. It’s the perfect balance of classic watchmaking and bold, modern design.
2. Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar – Stainless Steel 41mm Ref. 26674ST.OO.1320ST.01
For those who love a timeless classic, this one delivers. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in stainless steel stays sharp and iconic with AP’s legendary octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet. It also runs on the Calibre 7138, just like the Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar, ensuring the same ultra-thin precision and smooth functionality.
The blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial gives it a sporty yet refined aesthetic, while the perpetual calendar layout keeps everything easy to read and beautifully balanced. With leap year and moon phase indicators, this watch combines stunning design with serious mechanical mastery. It’s built to track time flawlessly, making it as functional as it is mesmerizing.
3. Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar – 18-Carat Sand Gold 41 mm Ref. 26674SG.OO.1320SG.01
Sand gold is a rare and unique material in AP’s lineup, making this piece a true collector’s item. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in sand gold takes the classic Royal Oak silhouette and gives it a warm, luxurious glow. The grey “Grande Tapisserie” dial complements the case beautifully, creating an understated yet undeniably elegant aesthetic. It’s a watch that feels special without trying too hard, perfect for those who want exclusivity with a touch of subtle sophistication.
Which New AP Perpetual Calendar Watch Catches Your Eye?
Each of these Audemars Piguet 150th anniversary watches tells its own story. The Code 11.59 is a bold statement of modern watchmaking, the stainless steel Royal Oak keeps it classic and timeless, while the sand gold Royal Oak adds warmth and rarity to the mix. No matter which one speaks to you, all three are undeniable masterpieces that mark an incredible milestone in AP’s history. If you could choose, which one would be on your wrist?
The new AP Perpetual Calendar Watches are a tribute to 150 years of precision and refinement. Own an Audemars Piguet timepiece and experience the legacy of Swiss watchmaking. Visit Timepiece Trading to shop or contact us for more details.
