SIHH 2014 Audemars Piguet - in-depth view of the collection.

Mar 04, 2014,11:51 AM
 

We (Magnus & Oliver) would like to provide you with our – subjective – in-depth impressions of Audemars Piguet SIHH 2014 novelties – particularly the latest accession to the Audemars Piguet Millenary collection and a few new members of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak & Royal Oak Offshore families.





All three collections are iconic trademarks of the manufacture and of key importance to its success on the market, and thus have to be developed with utmost care. It is the destiny of one-of-the-top-few masons to come up with something that does not betray the expectations of the fans, audiences, and critics, keep up the interest in the brand while never diluting the identity of the respective collection.  

That must be a tough challenge to meet year after year and this year, but in our humble opinions, they succeeded in the quadrature of the circle.  A truly innovative and exciting line-up was brought in by AP team to Geneva, in terms of new entries as well as a few fascinating details. 

We would like to take a deep look at those novelties we have seen in the metal, in six chapters.


This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2014-03-06 20:18:45 This message has been edited by MichaelC on 2014-03-15 14:23:17


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Hands on with Millenary Minute Repeater

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 1st, 2014-23:52
Is it a real novelty or just a new variation of something outstanding? …… To us, the Millenary Minute Repeater in red gold is AP’s highlight of the show this year. We have lots to talk about this. We were cheating a bit: technically, the AP Millenary Minu...  

A superb watch...

 
 By: foversta : March 4th, 2014-12:04
Well, I love the Millenary... not all, the 4101 and the MR... and I was seduced by the beauty of this complicated watch. The sound is pure but its volume could have been improved IMHO. Thanks! Fx

Did you have the chance to compare the chiming sound ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : March 5th, 2014-01:13
... of this golden version with the titanium one? I consider this to be among the most attractive repeaters on the market, and design-wise, I prefer the solid, heat-blued hands over the skeletonized ones of the titanium version. Thanks for presenting this... 

We would have loved to compare...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 5th, 2014-02:00
but unfortunately there was no titanium version available. But, judging from our experience with chiming watches (e.g. the Blancpain GMT Reveil) titanium has some amazing acoustic properties to exploit. So, yes, a comparison would be great fun! Thanks, Ma... 

Marcus, I had the pleasure to listen ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : March 5th, 2014-11:01
to the Ti version some years ago. From my memory I would say the Ti versions was louder but the RG version had a warmer sound and was more to my taste. Still I would like to listen to them side by side, one day :-) Oliver

Hands on with Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 1st, 2014-23:52
Now, this is our next eye-opening model: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon in WHITE! Who could have expected it? We are so used to the black models across the board globally, but white models are getting popularity. But this white and g...  

I was a bit afraid by the white colour...

 
 By: foversta : March 4th, 2014-12:19
and at the end... it works well thanks to the contrast it creates! A very appealing watch despite its very large size (and the shape of the strap). Fx

What a terrific report!

 
 By: BABKA : March 5th, 2014-21:59
Thanks for the pleasant read and the bountiful pics!

Hands on with Royal Oak Offshore 42mm – latest evolutions

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 1st, 2014-23:53
Those were the days ...! 21 years ago AP shocked the watch world with a new watch, unprecedented: the (then!) humongous 42mm Royal Oak Offshore . A strong watch, heavy, with presence thanks to the prominent use of rubberised accents (bezal seal, pushers, ...  

The most important watches for AP this year.

 
 By: foversta : March 4th, 2014-12:02
And for me, a super evolution of the ROO 42mm. I love the blue version and in each case... the improved perceived quality. Thanks for the pics and words! Fx

The ROO on bracelet is out of this world.

 
 By: BABKA : March 5th, 2014-22:04
A great new update to this classic. I'm definitely saving these pics for future viewing!

Hands on with Royal Oak Ref. 15402 and 26322 – 41mm, pink gold - diamondised

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 1st, 2014-23:53
Let's start (again) with a look back into AP's history - which proves one fact: Watches for women have a long and strong history at Audemars Piguet! Two novelties were presented this year, both in 41mm and with admirable gem-setting work, the Royal Oak Au...  

Hands on with Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 67540 – 37mm

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 1st, 2014-23:53
Lastly we have the most affordable lady’s Royal Oak in the line-up: the Royal Oak Offshore Quartz : 37mm diameter, 11.1mm thickness, stainless steel or rose gold case. The diamond-set bezel and crown are both rubber-clad. Again, here are white dial and (r...  

Wow!

 
 By: Esharp : March 4th, 2014-18:27
Hey, these new simple ladies' models are REALLY interesting! I would love a men's version of this. Get rid of the diamonds, add a mechanical movement, maybe give the option of a ceramic bezel instead of rubber. Done - you have a very cool, minimal men's s... 

Audemars Piguet @ SIHH 2014 - conclusion

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 1st, 2014-23:54
Audemars Piguet has once more demonstrated what it takes to keep a truly classic collection alive, the Royal Oak : develop the core ( Royal Oak ), add an avant-garde segment ( Concept Watch ), and add spice to the Offshore sports offerings. This allows a ...  

A successful transitional year...

 
 By: foversta : March 4th, 2014-12:22
The key watches are the new version of the Offshore. You have to see the smile on the faces of the AD to understand that these 6 watches meet their expectations! And the other watches are surprising enough to bring an additional interest. But now... we wa... 

It was really fun....

 
 By: KIH : March 6th, 2014-07:46
... and I did just a little. You two have done a tremendous job here. Thank you for that! I happened to have an opportunity to handle some of the novelties at Ginza Boutique and I will post the pics as the follow-up to yours in time. Thanks again. Like yo... 

Any details on the two 44mm ROO?

 
 By: YseanY : March 4th, 2014-12:55
Specifically the new black ceramic with anthracite dail.

Unfortunately not ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : March 4th, 2014-13:00
as this report is only about watches we have seen in the metal. Sorry! By the way, welcome at PuristSPro! Oliver

Thanks, Oliver! [nt]

 
 By: YseanY : March 4th, 2014-13:12

Unfortunately we have not seen these...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : March 4th, 2014-13:01
as our appointment seemed to be a bit squeezed in … ;-) Still, we are happy with what we could catch. In the meantime, may we refer you to Thomas Mao's post on the ceramic watches? Just click here: CLICK Best, Magnus

Thanks! Saw that thread.

 
 By: YseanY : March 4th, 2014-13:14
But most of it is on the white ceramic which looks beautiful, but it's not for me. From the limited info/pics I can dig up on the net, I'm digging the anthracite dial, give the black ceramic more pop and contrast.

FC is a really nice watch!!

 
 By: emijar3 : March 6th, 2014-21:57
I had the same problem but i was between the stainless steel and the forged carbon. The only recommendation I can tell you is to try both on and the one that fits you better thats the one!! Did that and think i did a good decision!! Best!

Magnus, Oliver, and Ken - THANK YOU!! Incredible report on Audemars Piguet @ SIHH2014!

 
 By: MichaelC : March 5th, 2014-10:13
Outstanding coverage gentlemen. Thanks for taking the time to bring forth this most comprehensive report! It reveals many details for all of us.

Thanks for the kind words, Michael.

 
 By: small-luxury-world : March 5th, 2014-10:58
Oliver

View of the AP SIHH collection

 
 By: ED209 : March 7th, 2014-08:04
Thanks Oliver and Magnus for sharing this in-depth view of the AP SIHH watches. Great photos as usual. I agree witht that it would have been nice to see a surprise piece like a starwheel but perhaps they are saving it for a later date. Regards, ED-209