Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar Watch Celebrates its 30th Anniversary

In 2008, the Manufacture in Le Brassus has unveiled the Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar, paying tribute to the original timepiece that caused a real sensation in the world of Haute Horlogerie as the first ultra-thin self-winding perpetual calendar.

The special anniversary limited edition of the timepiece will be available in just 90 pieces. It is equipped with an ultra-thin movement that is just 4 mm thick, a true feat of miniaturization.

Calibre 2120/2802 comprises 355 parts and 38 jewels. The mechanism, beating at 19,800 vibrations per hour, offers an advantage of a 40-hour power reserve. All movement parts are bevelled, decorated with a Cotes de Geneve motif and circular-grained.

The timepiece has successfully united the day, the date, the month, the moon phases and leap-year cycle indications. The varying length of the 30- or 31-day months is managed by a cam linked to a wheel, with the various lengths of the months defined on it. On the same axis, there is another wheel bearing a cam that indicates standard February months and a leap-year February month. The wheel performs one turn every four years, taking the leap-year cycle into account.

It is remarkable that the Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar watch will need just one correction on March 1st 2100. On this day, the owner of the timepiece will have to actuate the correctors found on the side of the case, to completely readjust the mechanism for another century.

The Tuscany blue dial of the Perpetual Calendar watch offers supreme readability. The dial is completed with white gold applied hour-markers and white gold hour and minute hands. The calendar sub-dials are surrounded by a polished decorated fillet, accentuating their snailed decor that nicely contrasts with the satin-brushed finish of the dial.

The shade of the dial makes one think of the skies with angelic figures depicted by Florentine painters of the 15th century.

The noble 950 platinum case measures 41mm in diameter and reveals a sapphire crystal case-back. It boasts 20-meter water-resistance.

The Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar watch from Audemars Piguet goes on a square-scaled hand-sewn alligator leather strap equipped with a platinum AP folding clasp.