The Millenary collection was launched by Audemars Piguet in 1995 to join the Royal Oak and the Jules Audemars collections and to provide a new three-dimensional approach on their movements. With its oval case, its off-centered dial and a truly neoclassical design, the Audemars Piguet Millenary quickly became an icon and a timepiece that is easily recognizable by watch collectors. In this particular watch, watchmaking art and design intertwine in a beautifully orchestrated play on perspective and balance. Before we go in full into the hands-on review of this stellar timepiece, we would like to apologize in advance for the protective stickers on the case. As you all know by now, only a handful of times we haven't been able to remove those stickers while reviewing a timepiece.

The Case

The Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 ref. 15350ST.OO.D002CR.01 is fitted with a 47 mm oval-shaped case in stainless steel, that in reality wears more like a 44 mm. The case features a stepped construction on both the lugs and the case, perfectly framing the off-centered dial with a thickness of 13 mm. The Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 ref. 15350ST.OO.D002CR.01 is fitted withglareproofed sapphire crystals on both the front and the case back to minimize glare and allow for uncompromised views of its intricate beauty. The Millenary 4101 is water resistant to a depth of 20 meters and is fitted with a gorgeous screw-down crown.

The Dial

Making up the dial, the AP in-house calibre 4101 was reversed to enable the dial side to display components that are usually hidden on the back like its beating heart —balance wheel and escapement. The black and anthracite dial, features a three-dimensional construction with several layers and two off-centered black snailed discs. 

While the bigger disc features pink gold applied Roman numerals, the smaller one superimposed at 7 o'clock, features an Arabic numeral seconds track in white. The hands, also made of pink gold, feature luminescent material inserts. The bevels on the bridges on the dial side are diamond graved.

The Movement

The beating heart inside the Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 ref. 15350ST is the in-house automatic calibre 4101. This movement, fully designed and manufactured at the manufacture in Le Brassus, is composed of 284 parts and 34 jewels. The movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph —4 Hz— to provide a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement is fitted with a 22K solid gold oscillating weight and fully visible via the dial side and the display case back. Perhaps, the only thing that we dislike about the Millenary 4101, is that because the movement was reversed so that its back side would face the dial side, when looking at the back of the watch, it almost seems like something is missing and there's too much empty space around the oscillating weight —not a deal breaker.

The Strap

The AP Millenary is equipped with a black hand-stitched large square scale alligator strap with stainless steel AP folding clasp. The strap is very supple and a perfect match to the elegant look of this fascinating timepiece.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 ref. 15350ST wears like a glove and slightly smaller than its actual size —more like a 44 mm watch. With unparalleled wrist presence, this is one of the few dress watches that can be worn with casual clothes and still look as good. Its off-centered black dial, along with its anthracite finished bridges, make this watch one that looks as good at night as it does at day.

Sticker Price $24,500 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.