Posts filed under Audemars Piguet

Experience: Chivas Regal 18 Pininfarina. A Partnership Between Two Perfectionists and a Great Limited Edition.

Chivas Regal 18 Pininfarina was launched earlier this year throughout the world but it is still scarcely available throughout the U.S. market. This limited edition, product of a collaboration between two perfectionists, will satisfy your luxurious palate to the fullest.

Pininfarina, the acclaimed auto designer that has worked for Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Peugeot and Rolls Royce amongst other car brands and that has also dabbled into the waters of watchmaking in a special partnership with Bovet, has now decided to join forces with one of the top whiskeys in the world in order to create this special edition that gets the best from both brands and blends into a unique experience for watchlifestylers that like the finer things in life. The video below will tell you more about the essence of Pininfarina.

Click on the video only if you are of legal drinking age in your country.

In this special partnership, Paolo Trevisan —Design Manager of Pininfarina Extra— wanted to create something that represented the essence of both brands and we think he did pretty well. A perfect symbol of collaboration. Liquid shaped by air. Pininfarina’s mastery of aerodynamics, combined with the peerless whisky of Chivas Regal 18. Uniting and embodying the passions of both icons, it is the inspiration behind three limited edition expressions of their partnership. Trevisan paid a visit to Chivas' home Strathisla to meet Master Blender Colin Scott, where the two shared their vision for the exclusive Chivas 18 by Pininfarina. Here's a video that explains the design process behind this limited edition. Just fascinating and inspiring.

Click on the video only if you are of legal drinking age in your country.

This partnership is perfectly executed in three different amazing products. The first one —named Limited Edition One— is a gorgeous drop-shaped blue container lined with wood, the second one —Limited Edition Two— is a larger individually numbered drop-shaped container that contains a bottle of whisky, two drop-shaped glasses and where the top part of the container can be used as an ice bucket and lastly the third one called the 'Mascherone', which is a special order free standing wooden and aluminum sculpture display. To round out the special edition, Pininfarina also created a specially designed bottle of Chivas 18 with Pininfarina’s design notes visible on the metalized crest and the Italian company’s logo, proudly emblazoned on the capsule and neck wrap to reflect the streamlined metallic finish of a classic car.

The 'Mascherone' standing display was inspired by the original wooden frame that was used to design cars in the old days and is a sculpture where the product is properly displayed around wood and blue aluminum. The Chivas Regal 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina marks the pinnacle of their partnership. Hand assembled in Cambiano by Pininfarina, it features an oak internal structure and clad in aluminium. Mirroring the elegant precision of Pininfarina's celebrated automotive innovations, only five of this collector's pieces will be on display globally and individual pieces will be made to order on request. A light, found at the base, brings this artistic piece to life. Here's a video that talks about the beauty and story behind the 'Mascherone'.

If you are a whisky drinker and someone that enjoys life to the fullest always searching for the ultimate luxury, this limited edition won't disappoint you. Now, if you really want to go for the whole nine yards, you can place a special order for one of the 'Mascherones' and continue to live life to the fullest. One thing we know, is that the 'Mascherone' will look great inside your beautiful home at the New York by Gehry on 8 Spruce Street.

Sticker Price for Limited Edition 2 $500 USD. For more info on Chivas Regal 18 click here and for Pininfarina here.

News: Pre-SIHH 2014 Audemars Piguet Presents the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon.

Bright, white, sleek and powerful, the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon to be presented for the first time at the SIHH —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie— 2014 in Geneva is a watch for avant-garde collectors and connoisseurs that brooks no compromise in either technical or aesthetic terms.

Its sculpted titanium case middle  and integrated rubber strap combine with a white ceramic bezel to frame the highly architectural array of tourbillon carriage and second ‘GMT’ time-zone display inside —case and movement in perfect harmony. New for 2014, however, is the flash of pure white center-stage: an intricately machined upper bridge made of white ceramic —only possible now, thanks to Audemars Piguet’s ongoing advances in materials science.

The Concept evolution

The Royal Oak Concept was first unveiled in 2002 as an avant-garde, 30th-anniversary tribute to Audemars Piguet’s legendary octagonal Royal Oak – designed by Gérald Genta as the world’s first luxury watch in stainless steel.

The Concept’s ultra-hard Alacrite 602 case was more rounded to highlight Genta’s signature octagonal bezel and its eight hexagonal screws. The dial was left off, exposing the advanced micro-mechanics ticking within. All these revolutionary design codes have persisted throughout the Concept series, from 2008’s Royal Oak Carbon Concept Tourbillon and Chronograph – an ultra-light timepiece that was the first to combine a forged-carbon case and movement mainplate – to the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon of 2011, with ultra-light, ultra-resistant titanium case and black-ceramic octagonal bezel, push pieces and crown.

This year’s Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon features a white ceramic bezel, crown and push pieces instead of black, all heightening the contrast with the titanium case middle. However, in typical, trailblazing style, the Manufacture has now gone one step further and incorporated ceramic into the movement itself, replacing the blackened upper bridge of Calibre 2913 with white ceramic. As a result, the new Calibre 2930 is visually transformed, its dazzling, hourglass-shaped bridge further enlivened by the double symmetry of the tourbillon bridges and GMT display.

Materials know-how

White ceramic is about nine times harder than steel, meaning the manufacture of the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon’s bezel, push pieces, crown and especially its intricately shaped upper bridge was a complex and lengthy process.

Ceramic is an almost totally scratch-proof composite material that can be scratched only by diamonds, calling for the use of special milling-cutter machines equipped with diamond-tipped tools. Treating the roughed-out surfaces and edges to a polished or satin-brushed finish represents a daunting technical challenge, due to ceramic’s inherent resistance to abrasion. It takes around 8 hours to make the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon’s bezel, compared with 45 minutes if it were steel, calling upon all the savoir-faire of the watchmakers and engineers. As well as giving an exceptionally smooth final appearance, ceramic has a practical purpose, displaying extreme resistance to wear.

Similarly, the titanium used for the case middle and sapphire surround is ultra strong, comfortable to wear twice and as light as steel – advantageous for a watch of such generous 44mm proportions. Further demonstrating Audemars Piguet’s deeply entrenched knowledge of high-tech metals and materials, the inner flange circling the dial is made of lightweight aluminum, hardened by anodization.

This daring cocktail of ceramics and metals is just the latest chapter in Audemars Piguet’s ongoing quest to push the envelope when it comes to materials science —a quest that started over 40 years ago with the Manufacture’s most daring move of all, using steel in a luxury watch for the very first time.

Technical tour de force

The defining characteristic of Audemars Piguet’s Concept watches has always been the coherence of case and movement. The ultra-modern ‘engine’ is seamlessly integrated within its ultra-modern ‘chassis’, whose techy aesthetic perfectly complements and showcases the exposed micro-mechanics.

An impressive feat in its own right, the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon’s hand-wound Calibre 2930 features a twin barrel ensuring 10-day power reserve, tourbillon and second time-zone ‘GMT’ display.

Its timekeeping is regulated by a 3Hz (21,600vph) escapement, rotating inside a tourbillon carriage every 60 seconds, compensating for the effects of the Earth's gravity when the watch is oriented vertically for any length of time.

The tourbillon cage comprises 85 components, yet only 0.45g in weight. An experienced watchmaker spends almost three days assembling its 85 components, including two full days to install the cage, while the full workings will require over two weeks of work. Audemars Piguet is still one of the few manufactures to have mastered all the intricacies of this complication, with over 25 different movements featuring a tourbillon. Each component is beveled, polished, assembled and balanced by hand.

The GMT display provides an instant reading of the time in a second time-zone. It is adjusted using the push piece at 4 o’clock (one press adjusts the time by one hour). The indication of the second time-zone, based on 12 hours, comprises two superimposed discs, making it easy to tell the time. The first, on which the figures are inscribed, completes one turn in 12 hours. The second, just below, completes a turn in 24 hours and has 2 colored areas: a white half for daytime and a black half for night-time. This makes it easier to read the figures.

Audemars Piguet’s proprietary parallel double barrel system ensures the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon runs for as many as 10 days before it needs to be manually wound again, generating a constant force during some 237 hours of autonomy, enhancing timekeeping precision.

The energy from Calibre 2930’s two 10-day barrels is fed into the geartrain at the same time via a single pinion bridging the two. This is a far gentler means of transmitting energy than the usual system of two series-linked 5-day barrels. It also reduces pressure in the gearing, the friction in the barrels is used to offset torque variations, and it gives increased running precision, greater power reserve and enhanced reliability.

The Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon also features a selection indicator mechanism. According to the position of the winding stem, the hand positioned on the dial at 6 o’clock indicates the function selected. The H, N and R indications correspond to the three positions of the winding stem, meaning time-setting, neutral and winding respectively.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.

Technical Data

Movement

Calibre 2930, hand-wound manufacture
Total diameter: 35.60mm (15 ¾ lines)
Thickness: 9.90mm
Number of jewels: 29
Number of parts: 291
Power reserve: 237h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3Hz (21,600vph)
White ceramic upper bridge
Finishing: hand-finished bridges and mainplate, hand finished cut-out parts, polished angles, hand-drawn file strokes on upper surface and matt finish beneath.

Case

Titanium case
Glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback
White ceramic bezel
Screw-locked crown and white ceramic push piece
Water-resistant to 100m

Display

Openworked
Second time-zone indicator at 3 o’clock
Crown position indicator at 6 o’clock
Tourbillon at 9 o’clock with black anodized aluminum bridge
White gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating
Black anodized aluminum inner bezel

Bracelet

White rubber strap with titanium AP folding clasp

Function

24-hour GMT display
Day and night indicator
Functions selection
Hours and minutes

Reference

RO 26580IO.OO.D010CA.SDT

 

Posted on November 22, 2013 and filed under Audemars Piguet, News, SIHH.

Experience: SIAR Mexico 2013. The Fascinating and Sleek Audemars Piguet Suite.

We are continuing our live reporting straight from Mexico City bringing you these images of the Audemars Piguet suite at the Four Seasons Hotel. Opposed to Baselworld or the SIHH, the brands are located within small rooms in a very private setting. Of all booths at the SIAR Mexico 2013, the Audemars Piguet suite is perhaps the most fascinating one and a true treat to the eyes. The design is modern, sleek and minimalist replicating the new look and feel of their boutiques. The suite is composed of three rooms fully decorated with wood, Mies Van der Rohe Barcelona chairs, Hans J. Wegner chairs and the most beautiful screens with images from the Vallée de Joux and the manufacture. Every corner is filled with the Audemars Piguet essence and portraying the values of this haute horlogerie manufacture.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.

Posted on October 2, 2013 and filed under Audemars Piguet, Events.

Experience: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James. The Launch Party in Miami.

Finally, we get to share with you the fascinating party that was hosted by Audemars Piguet in Miami this past Friday, September 27, 2013, honoring the launch of their new Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James Limited Edition ref. 26210OI.OO.A109CR.01.

It was an unforgettable evening filled with glamour, celebrities, watchlifestylers, journalists, bloggers, VIP guests, influencers, amazing timepieces, good music, great food, champagne and some very nice signature cocktails.

Some of the celebrities at the party included LeBron James and his wife Savannah Brinson, Scott Disick —one of Audemars Piguet biggest fans— and Kourtney Kardashian, former NY Giants defensive end Michael Strahan and Audemars Piguet golf ambassador Belen Mozo amongst others. 

During the evening we not only had the chance to admire some of the most beautiful timepieces in the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections that were on display, but we also ran into some of the most fascinating timepieces in the wrist of some of the guests. Top sightings include a Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication in Titanium —number 1 of 3— with custom engraved rotor with the owner's initials, a Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Mexico in gold and one in stainless steel, a Royal Oak Jumbo 5402ST A-Series, a Royal Oak Extra Thin Tourbillon, a Royal Oak Offshore Scuba, a few Royal Oak Offshores Michael Schumacher Limited Edition in gold and platinum, a Royal Oak Offshore Carbon Alinghi and of course the brand new LeBron James Limited Edition, but this time outside the display showcase.

Guests from all over the world enjoyed this formidable party and became integral part of this unforgettable celebration. Highlights of the night include the video that was played in synchrony with LeBron's arrival at the party and François-Henry Bennahmias words while greeting him upon his arrival.

Now, enjoy the rest of the pictures!

Audemars Piguet, thank you for including us in this amazing event.

Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James Limited Edition. A Photo Essay.

First of all we would like to thank Audemars Piguet for including us amongst the select group of journalists and guests that attended this fascinating event on Friday September 27, 2013 down in Miami, Florida. The press conference just like any other event organized by Audemars Piguet was flawlessly executed in a very posh and elegant way.

At the press conference we enjoyed remarks from François-Henry Bennahmias —CEO Audemars Piguet—, Xavier Nolot —CEO Audemars Piguet North America— and NBA Miami Heat star LeBron James a.k.a. King James, followed by a brief Q&A session.

As you will appreciate in the pictures, a nice selection of Audemars Piguet watches were on the wrists of the attendees as well as several Lanvin Captoe sneakers to complete the ultimate watchlifestyler look.

Following the press conference, a few of us were treated to a nice selection of appetizers and drinks at acclaimed restaurant Juvia —located at the same 1111 Lincoln Road structure where the press conference and the party took place— right between the press conference and the party. Juvia is a place where the best elements from the French, Japanese and Peruvian cuisines intertwine in a symphony of flavors and creations that are out of this world.     

More coverage on the amazing party that followed the press conference tomorrow.  

For more info on Juvia click here and on Audemars Piguet here.  

Insider: Audemars Piguet Presents the Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James Limited Edition. Live Pictures from Miami.

Today, September 27, 2013, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph LeBron James Limited Edition at a very posh press conference and party —at the iconic 1111 Lincoln Road structure in Miami, Florida— that we were able to attend in order to bring you this amazing live pictures. The venue were the event is taking place is an amazing open space envisioned by Robert Wennett and designed by Herzog & de Meuron in the heart of Miami beach that is the perfect setting for such global launch. 

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph LeBron James ref. 26210OI.OO.A109CR.01 will only available in 600 limited edition pieces. This new Audemars Piguet watch is fitted with a 44mm case in 18K rose gold with titanium bezel, black ceramic crown with rose gold inlay, black ceramic push-pieces, diamond-set push-piece at 2 o'clock, rose gold and grey rubber push-piece guards, display case back engraved with the legend "Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition LeBron James" —and LeBron's signature imprinted in blue on the sapphire crystal—  and a gorgeous large square scale grey crocodile strap with 18K rose gold pin buckle.

This watch is fitted with a gorgeous grey 'Méga Tapisserie" dial with grey chrono registers, rose gold applied Arabic numerals, rose gold minute and hour hands, white hand for the running seconds and blue hands for the chronograph hands.  

More coverage to follow with images and video from the press conference and all the eye candy from the cocktail party that followed the press conference.

Sticker Price $51,500 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

Macros: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad. A Treat to the Eyes.

The legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad needs no introduction. This amazing and iconic timepiece that we've seen in the wrists of dozen of celebrities and AP lovers was launched back in 2002 and since then, it has seen very few changes. A watch that in the words of François-Henry Bennahmias —during his interview with TimeZone— will continue to live for a little while and then we'll see it re-imagined. We only wonder what it will look like when Audemars Piguet decides to do so.

For now, enjoy the eye-candy as we get ready to bring you some big news from our friends from Le Brassus later today. We will be reporting directly from Miami where a private event will be taking place and we'll bring you full coverage here and via our social media platforms of some big news from the brand. For those of you already wondering, we cannot tell you what it will be, but one thing we are certain is that it is not a re-imagined Rubber Clad. 

Featured here, the now discontinued Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad ref. 25940SK.OO.D002CA.02 —with silvered dial and grey chrono registers— and the newer version of the same watch but in rose gold ref. 25940OK.OO.D002CA.02. The stainless steel version of the Rubber Clad is still available as ref. 25940SK.OO.D002CA.03 but with black dial and silver chrono registers.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

Experience: Two Classic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshores Meet for Lunch at Freds at Barneys. A Photo Essay.

This time we headed over to Freds at Barneys New York for lunch. This hidden gem is one of our favorite restaurants in the city and a perfect place to talk about watches, enjoy some great food and shop at the store on your way out. 

Barneys New York started their business back in the early 1920s when Barney Pressman opened his very first store in the lower Manhattan area. Today, the Barneys New York flagship store is located on Madison Ave. between 60th and 61st streets. Barneys is also present in some of the most upscale areas of cities like Beverly Hills, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas and Scottsdale. The New York, Chicago and Beverly Hills locations are the only stores that have restaurants within. The restaurant is named after Fred Pressman —Barney Pressman's son.  

Barneys New York store in Chicago is located half a block away from the famous Gold Coast Triangle on Rush Street between Oak and Elm —catty corner from some of our other favorite stores like Hermès, Prada and Barbour. 

Now, enjoy the photo essay and the watch eye-candy. An image speaks more than a thousand words. Oh, and by the way, next time you stop by Freds, make sure you order the 'Linguine Vongole' as it's our absolute favorite dish.

For more info on Barneys click here.  

News: Audemars Piguet Ambassador LeBron James Visits 'La Manufacture' in Le Brassus.

Press Release

Audemars Piguet ambassador, crowned NBA champion as well as world’s Most Valuable Player for the second year running, LeBron James paid a one-day visit to the Manufacture in Le Brassus.

His visit included the Audemars Piguet Museum followed by a tour of the 'Manufacture des Forges' where he spent time in various ateliers including the Specialties and Grande Complication. “Visiting the Audemars Piguet Manufacture in Le Brassus for the first time was an amazing experience. It is such a beautiful place and I really enjoyed learning and seeing firsthand how the watch is made from beginning to end,” said LeBron after his visit.

LeBron James has written one of the most impressive pages in basketball history over the past couple of seasons, with consecutive regular-season MVP awards, consecutive NBA titles as well as NBA Finals MVP trophies bracketing two Olympic gold medals. He has become the third player in league history after Michael Jordan and Bill Russell to win back-to-back Finals MVP and regular-season MVP awards.

LeBron James perfectly embodies Audemars Piguet’s brand philosophy “to break the rules, you must first master them”. Striving for perfection and passionate for the game, he constantly reinvents and raises the bar for himself. A keen devotee of Haute Horlogerie, LeBron wears a Millenary 4101.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

News: Audemars Piguet Launches New Female Advertising Campaign. Just Brilliant.

Press Release

Audemars Piguet is launching its new global advertising campaign dedicated to women. The Audemars Piguet woman and her spirit of independence captured in a
powerful new image and selling line. The campaign features stunning images of supermodel Anouck Lepère and introduces a new brand line “There are exceptions to every rule” reflecting the spirit of independence cherished by the brand and its customers. It is the complementary feminine interpretation of the powerful brand campaign launched last year featuring the tag line: “To break the rules you must first master them” and will run alongside the current product and institutional campaigns starting September 2013.

“Audemars Piguet appeals to strong-minded, independent women, who appreciate
progressive beauty, craftsmanship and heritage. These values keep driving the brand’s vision through time, they are the soul of Audemars Piguet and we feel this new advertising campaign captures the essence of our brand”
said Francois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet.

Audemars Piguet has been developing timepieces and movements dedicated to women since 1883, and has consistently treated women to exceptional creations designed to mirror their attitude and femininity. Today, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, is the only woman heading a major watch manufacturer. She incarnates the values of the brand and stands for the bold spirit of independence and female empowerment expressed in the new campaign.

According to Tim Sayler, Audemars Piguet Chief Marketing Officer: “Audemars Piguet’s modernity is again at the center of this new advertising campaign. We wanted to portray the Audemars Piguet woman with her unique sense of beauty and elegance, and especially her strong character and attitude. She appreciates our history and craftsmanship, but is clearly a woman of today and tomorrow who defies convention and likes to follow her own path. Just like our watches, the Audemars Piguet woman is exceptional in every sense. We think this iconic image also represents an exception in the world of female watch advertising.”

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

Experience: Fauchon Champagne. From Our Favorite Gourmet Store in Paris.

Any watchlifestyler that has been to Paris and reads our content knows Fauchon very well. Fauchon is the quintessential luxury gourmet food store in Paris with its flagship store located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement right at the Place de la Madelaine. This store is just two short blocks away from the Hermès flagship on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and two doors down from the Alain Figaret boutique —this designer carries the Audemars Piguet Tour Auto apparel during the time the Tour Auto Optic 2000 Race takes place.

Last time we stopped by Fauchon, we decided to bring with us a few bottles of their champagne for a rainy day back home. Without a doubt, Fauchon is our favorite gourmet food store in Paris and a must visit for anyone that enjoys the good life.

Fauchon carries everything from carry-out prepared dishes to bread, 'pâtisserie', chocolates, truffles, charcuterie, 'fromages', gourmet canned foods, caviar and any other edibles of the highest quality. To sum it up, the best of the best is sold at Fauchon.

Some of the Fauchon products are also sold in the delicatessen sections of the most upscale stores around Europe including Germany, Spain, U.K., Portugal and Denmark just to name a few. They also happen to be a purveyor of sweet and salty 'pâtisserie' for the Nespresso boutiques around Paris like the smoked salmon 'mille-feuille' in the photograph below. 

The Fauchon Brut champagne is a dry champagne with a high level of acidity on the palate and with strong apple and pear aromas. This champagne is a perfect pairing to Beluga caviar, salty ripened cheeses or other savory foods. With its low content of sugar and high acidity it can cut through the fat of a savory quiche, a 'Saint Agur' cheese or a smoked salmon 'mille-feuille'. One great thing about this champagne is that it will bring back memories from those amazing nights at the Hôtel Costes in Paris.

Next time you stop by the Hermès flagship boutique in Paris, make sure you make a pit stop at Fauchon and pick up a bottle of champagne and one of their lovely desserts to enjoy them while you open that beautiful orange box in your hotel room.

For more information on Fauchon click here. 

Experience: Davidoff Nicaragua. An Afternoon of Amazing Cigars, Watches and Craft Beers.

Davidoff Cigars unveiled its first Nicaraguan cigar line, Davidoff Nicaragua, at a New York City pre-launch event back on June 20, 2013 —so far the biggest cigar news this year. After a long wait, the Davidoff Nicaragua finally hit the stores. The Davidoff Nicaragua is a premium cigar made solely from Nicaraguan tobacco —wrapper, binder and filler— but still rolled in their factory down in the Dominican Republic.

Last week we finally had the opportunity to try this amazing cigar during a small get together at the most legendary cigar shop in Chicago, Up Down Cigar. A cigar and tobacco sanctuary founded by the iconic Diana Silvius almost 50 years ago. 

Diana Silvius is perhaps the most renowned female cigar aficionada in the world, an icon in the cigar industry and the first woman to be featured on the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine. Not only she was elected the first female president of the Retail Tobacco Dealer of America in 1991, but she's also known to be very close to Hendrick 'Henke' Kelner —who is to Dominican cigars what chefs Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon are to French cuisine— and the Fuente Family, whom she approached to asked them to help her develop her own line of cigars, now sold throughout the world as the Diana Silvius Diamond Vintage.

Really there could've not been better hosts than Diana —along with her close friends, staff members— and our dear friend Phil to throw such a fantastic evening with amazing cigars, craft beers, watches, fine rums and everything that the good life is about. To kick-off our editorial, here's a picture of Ms. Diana Silvius having a great time with us. 

After our short preface, let us now walk you through our evening in the usual fashion, please come experience it with us.

As we walked to the back of Up Down Cigar where an intimate smoking garden is located, we were greeted with a nice Davidoff bag with a great assortment of cigars. Davidoff Gold Band Awards 2012, the Davidoff Robusto Collection box —included the amazing Robusto 100 made honoring Zino Davidoff's 100th anniversary of his birth—, Davidoff Belicoso Supremo and of course the newly launched Nicaraguan blend cigars. 

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After getting our cigars, we decided to start enjoying the evening with other watchlifestylers in the company of some amazing craft beers from Goose Island —Chicago's most famous brewery. Our friends from Goose Island shared a nice selection of limited edition Bourbon County stout beers —with an alcohol content of 14.3-14.5%—, their 25th anniversary ale and even the rare Halia a sour peach saison aged in wine barrels. 

Our personal favorites were the Bourbon County beers and especially the coffee stout brewed with Intelligentsia coffee. Who would've thought that beers and cigars go that well together. Well, let's rephrase that, stout beers and cigars go well together.

Finally, after a few beers we decided to honor the new Davidoff Nicaraguan cigars and we started burning one. The first cigar we decided to try was a Nicaragua Robusto, that was spectacular from beginning to end. It started with some peppery notes that evolved into a smooth, creamy cigar very similar to the taste of Habanos like Romeo y Julieta or H. Upmann.

After trying the new Nicaraguan selection, we're not sure we can go back to the Dominican Davidoffs as much as we used to. This cigar was exceptional, with a few occasional burnouts but with a nice draw and a long and thick ash.

As the evening progressed, we gather around other 'watchlifestylers' to talk about watches, cigars and the good life. Some of the nice watches that were around us that evening including Tutima, Rolex, Panerai, Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Tag Heuer. We even ran into what we'll refer to as a 'questionable' Steve McQueen Explorer that of course we won't be posting here, regardless, it was a great crowd with some awesome timepieces. 

As we were enjoying our first cigar, we decided to pair it with some Clément 'Rhum Vieux Agricole' —dry rum from Martinique. In 1887, Homère Clément pioneered a natural style of rum from fresh pressed sugarcane juice known today as 'Rhum Agricole'. Clément is available in seven varieties that include: Sirop de Canne, Première Canne, V.S.O.P, Cuvée Homère, X.O. Rhum, Créole Shrubb and Clément 10 Years. A fantastic rum than can almost compete with some of the best Cuban and Venezuelan rums but that will never be close enough to a Zacapa Centenario from Guatemala. Sorry Clément!

After finishing our second cigar outside, we finally headed inside the shop to smoke a third cigar and shop around. We always discover nice little goodies to take home as this shop is the only store in the city that carries Elie Bleu and Eloi products.

As we were smoking our third cigar, we ran into a beautiful Eloi cigar cutter from France that was a perfect match to he bezel on our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST. We couldn't control ourselves and we had to buy it that night —soon we will be publishing a short review of this cutter for our Audemars Piguet fans.  

As the evening drifted away and one thing lead to another, we left this sanctuary of the good life thoroughly satisfied with the new Davidoff Nicaraguan blend cigars. Available in three different sizes —toro, robusto and short corona—, this is a cigar that you need to try no matter what. 

Sticker Price on the Eloi cigar cutter $395 USD, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and box of Davidoff cigars not included.   

For more info on Davidoff click here, Goose Island Brewery here, Clément Rum here and Up Down Cigar here.

Experience: NoMI Lounge at the Park Hyatt Chicago. An Ideal Place for Food, Wine and Watch Talk.

For a long time, we've been looking to find the perfect place in Chicago where watchlifestylers can enjoy some inspiring food and wines under the right atmosphere and lighting conditions to have a good talk about watches. Look no further, NoMI Lounge is the perfect spot for a casual get together or just a place to enjoy a chill afternoon in the company of friends, family or your significant other.

Located inside the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel off of Michigan Avenue —right by the iconic Water Tower landmark— this is a place that won't disappoint you. As you walk into the hotel, you already know that you are in for a nice treat.

Perfect decor, exquisite lounge music very similar to the one at the 'Hôtel Costes', different seating areas depending on the mood you are looking for and a well stocked cheese ripening fridge welcome you. As you make your way in, you'll also find the nicely designed and perfectly stocked bar.

NoMI Lounge offers a great selection of signature and classic cocktails, food to share that includes a nice assortment of fresh seafood, sushi, cheeses, charcuterie, paninis, flat breads and other heavier dishes that are also meant to be shared. Surprisingly enough, they carry the coveted 'Jamón Ibérico de Bellota' from Spain that we love. After sitting down we ordered a few dishes, started sipping our 'rosé' —nothing fancy just a Domaine de Figueirasse— and enjoyed our conversation about watches and the good life. 

Our food selection included some burrata with thyme and honey, a grilled flat bread with peaches, goat cheese and arugula, a sharp cheddar pimento spread with garlic aioli and the 'panisse' with goat cheese, rosemary and balsamic. We have not had 'panisse' since our last time in Paris. A 'panisse' is a chickpea flour cake that is fried in the shape of small rectangular logs with a texture very similar to that of fried 'polenta' that is very common in the south of France.

After enjoying the delicious savory food, we decided to order their assortment of cookies and candies, paired with a couple of glasses of Canadian Inniskillin Icewine. Perfect pairing for the little box of sweet treats. Glad the treat box included our favorite French macarons, almost as good as those from Pierre Hermé in Paris.  

After a wonderful evening with great conversation, watches, fantastic foods and wine, another great day in the life of a watchlifestyler ends. The watches featured here are an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST.OO.1220ST.02 and Chanel J12 Automatic in 38mm ref. H0970.

Dear watchlifestylers: The next time that you contact us for a quick get together, you know where we will be meeting for a nice watch talk. Hasta pronto amigos!

For more info on NoMI Lounge click here. For more info on AP here and Chanel here.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor. The Most Revolutionary Offshore.

When it comes to Audemars Piguet watches, we all know that because of their exclusivity and limited production, we rarely see them in the wild. Now, how often do you come in contact with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor? Pretty much never. Well, here's one for your viewing pleasure.

This amazing timepiece was launched by Audemars Piguet at the end of 2008 as the limited edition Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26165IO.00.A002CA.01 in only a 1,000 pieces. It sold out almost immediately after its launch. 

Without a doubt, this Royal Oak Offshore Survivor is the one that started the true evolution of the Royal Oak Offshore line into what it is today. Fitted with a blackened and perforated titanium case measuring 42mm in diameter with grooves on the profile of the case at 9, a grooved ceramic bezel and chrono pushers in ceramic with titanium guards, this watch is the perfect match to the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica. This car is as revolutionary as this Offshore.

Even though this watch is extremely sleek and progressive in design and innovation, it still remains true to the Royal Oak Offshore nature and essence without compromise.

While the case construction appears massive and bulky, this watch wears true to its size. Just like the grooves on the case and bezel, the crown and hands are also very rugged making the watch look like a complex machine. The dial is pure perfection and very well balanced. The running seconds are on a silvered register that is fitted with a hand that has a red tip that adds the right amount of contrast.

The beating heart inside this revolutionary timepiece is the Audemars Piguet automatic calibre 3126/3840 with 59 jewels and a power reserve of 60 hours. To protect this amazing calibre, the watch is fitted with a nicely crafted and sturdy titanium case back with beautiful dimples on the center.

The rubber strap is slightly more flexible than other Offshore straps and quite comfortable. The watch is so light that it almost feels like its not on your wrist. The strap is fitted with a blackened titanium clasp very similar to the one on the Forged Carbon or Ceramic Divers. Its unmistakeable set of squared lines along the sides are the perfect match to the 'méga tapisserie' dial. The plots that connect the strap to the case have two small perforations to match the perforations on the case.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor is a watch that, even after several years from its launch, still makes our hearts skip a beat with its beauty, uniqueness and overtly masculine design.

When found, the pre-owned sticker price ranges from $35,000-$42,000 USD.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST. The Predecessor to the 'End of Days' Limited Edition.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST.OO.0001.KE.01 is another one of those discontinued Audemars Piguet references that is worth talking about and spending a whole afternoon reviewing and photographing.

This amazing reference, was launched in 1997 as a predecessor to the Royal Oak Offshore 'End of Days' Limited Edition ref. 25770SN.OO.0001.KE.01 launched in the year 1999. The 'End of Days', is the first limited edition Royal Oak Offshore ever launched and released in a limited run of 500 pieces —the product of a collaboration between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Audemars Piguet while he was shooting the blockbuster movie 'End of Days'. The legendary 'End of Days' a.k.a EOD is one of the first PVD watches ever made and fitted with a charcoal Kevlar aramid fiber strap and a second interchangeable black leather strap.

As a side note, it is important to mention that there is also another very rare 'End of Days' watch bearing ref. 25770SN.OO.0001.AR.01 and of which only four pieces were ever produced —the same four pieces that Arnold Schwarzenegger wore while shooting the movie. Additionally, one unique piece was also produced bearing ref. 25770SN.OO.0050.AR.01 and this particular watch was fitted with a yellow Kevlar aramid fiber strap instead of a charcoal one.  

The main difference between the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST.OO.0001KE.01 and the 'End of Days',  is the non-PVD stainless steel case with the same shape and cut-out ends and the blue dial with a very similar configuration with blue 'petite tapisserie' center and smooth concentric circle with Arabic numerals and gray chrono registers. The case also measures 42mm in diameter and the watch is fitted with the same charcoal Kevlar strap. 

The strap on this watch is one of the most unique and distinctive straps in the market and it's also the unmistakeable touch that will help watchlifestylers spot this discontinued reference in the wild. While the Kevlar strap seems quite rugged and somewhat rough to the touch, it is extremely comfortable and one of our favorite things on this timepiece. It is really the most comfortable strap of all Audemars Piguet watches —fitted with a strap— that we've worn.

This unique Kevlar strap is a double-fastening strap made of different materials including Kevlar, seat belt like nylon, velcro and leather. The strap features two layers that are individually fastened when putting the watch on. The first layer —inner part in contact with the wrist— is made of a seat belt like nylon and lined with leather righ where the strap meets the case back of the watch. This layer comes with a velcro fastener that the wearer should first secure before fastening the second outer part of the strap. The outer part of the strap is made of Kevlar and features a small pin-buckle with an AP engraving on it. 

The dial has the same hue of blue as the dial on the first Royal Oak Offshore that we reviewed here. The Arabic numerals are somewhat greenish in person —pictures make them appear more white— due to the luminous material on them. The luminescent material used on this dial, is brighter than that used on other Audemars Piguet dials —the hands and numerals glow nice and bright even when exposed to the slightest darkness while driving through a tunnel or an underpass.

The chrono registers are gray with black numerals and black hands. The chrono seconds hand is white and provides the perfect contrast along with the thin white outline on the numerals on the dial. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST a.k.a. the 'Other End of Days' is powered with the AP calibre 2226/2840 —the same calibre fitted in the first Royal Oak Offshore and most Offshores until the release of the calibre 2326/2840 several years ago— with a power-reserve of approximately 48 hours.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 1997, a limited number of Royal Oak Offshores with the same type of case as this reference, were sold on colorful leather straps matching their dials in orange, apple green, mint green, yellow and red.

This amazing reference is one of the most comfortable Royal Oak Offshores we have ever worn and a watch that calls for attention wherever you are wearing it. Its unique look and wrist presence are unparalleled, and for those watchlifestylers that are in the know, running into one of this watches is an extraordinary event and an unforgettable experience.

If you consider yourself a true Audemars Piguet collector, this is a reference that is a must have in your collection.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

Experience: Puerto Madero. A Great Argentinean Restaurant in Mexico.

We are suckers for Argentinean steakhouses and we know a lot about them. We are lucky to have been to some of the best ones in Buenos Aires, New York City, and Mexico City. This time we stopped by 'Puerto Madero', a relatively newer place —considering the decades that others have been around in Mexico City— that was launched as a fierce competitor to other very popular Argentinean steakhouse names like 'El Rincón Argentino' and 'Cambalache'. 'El Rincón Argentino' was opened in the 80s by Juan Carlos Malazzo, a former soccer player for the Argentinean team River Plate a.k.a. 'Los Millonarios de River' —the millionaires from River. 'Cambalache' was partially owned by the now-deceased Argentinean actor and wrestler Wolf Ruvinskis.

'Puerto Madero' opened its first location in the upscale Mexico City neighborhood of 'Polanco' on 'Presidente Mazaryk' Avenue —the equivalent to Madison Ave. in NYC, Orchard Street in Singapore, or Bond Street in London— and after a successful launch, made its way to other areas and cities throughout Mexico and now it even has a location in Miami, Florida under the PM name. Its name was taken from the popular 'Puerto Madero' waterfront in the city of Buenos Aires right on the banks of the 'Río de la Plata' river. The 'Puerto Madero' waterfront is one of the best examples of the latest architectural trends in the capital city of Argentina.

This time we decided to have lunch at the one located in Cancun, Quintana Roo. The 'Puerto Madero' is one of the preferred places for watchlifestylers enjoying the good life. During our lunch, we spotted a great selection of watches that included several Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks, Offshores, a few Hublots, and a handful of Rolexes.

As we walked into the restaurant ,we were greeted by the grilling rooms and one of the best stocked bars in the city. The grills are really amazing as the cooking grids are suspended in the air and held by chains fitted with a mechanism that allows the grill masters to lift or lower the meats as desired depending on the cooking temperature that is required.

Once we got to our table, we noticed the beautiful design touches on the perfectly white chairs where the backrests feature the names of the most important family owned wineries in Argentina.

After sitting down, we ordered a few beers, appetizers and wine. The selection included an amazing Octopus Carpaccio, a 'Provoleta' —grilled provolone cheese with olive oil and herbs— and a few 'Empanadas Argentinas' —Argentinean style turnovers filled with meat.   Immediately thereafter, we started talking about watches and the good life.

Along with our appetizers, a bottle of delicious Argentinean 'Saurus Select 2009' arrived to our table. 'Saurus Select' is a Malbec wine produced and bottled in the province of Neuquen in the Patagonia region of Argentina by the renowned Bodega Familia Schroeder. An oaky, full-bodied wine that is a perfect pairing for Argentinean steaks.   

While we talked about the latest watches presented at Baselworld 2013 and each of our wish lists, we decided to order the main course. Of course, we ordered one of the most popular Argentinean steaks, 'Bife de Chorizo' —an over-sized New York Strip. Along with it, the traditional 'Papas Souffle' —souffle fries— that are a staple at this place. These fries are fried at different temperatures making them extra crunchy on the outside but soft and full of air as a 'souffle' on the inside—a culinary work of art. The basket in which they are served is also made of fried potatoes and fully edible.

As we finished our meal, we decided to move out to the gorgeous terrace overlooking the 'Nichupte' lagoon to enjoy our dessert, cigars and Port. For dessert, a delicious cheese blintze topped with berries and a house made 'Alfajor' with tons of 'Dulce de Leche'. This time, we smoked Sir Winston Churchill's favorite brand, Romeo y Julieta straight from Habana, Cuba. 

As we finished our desserts, sipped our Ports and smoked our cigars, another story of the good life came to an end. Another day in the life of watchlifestylers.

Health, watches, amazing food, fantastic wines and the best Habanos. The only other thing we could ask for in this life is to live a long existence. Watchlifestylers remember, this moment is your life. 

For more info on 'Puerto Madero' restaurants click here.  

Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique in Platinum and Rose Gold. One of Our Favorite Discontinued References.

Every once in a while, we receive calls or messages from watchlifestylers and friends about a rare and hard-to-find timepiece that they want to share with us. This time, a message popped up on our WhatsApp. The message read: "I just got a Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in Platinum and Rose Gold. Do you want to check it out?" We really couldn't believe what our eyes were seeing and immediately thereafter, we got our camera ready and headed over to meet our friend.

This coveted discontinued watch ref. 25654PR.OO.0944PR.01 is one that we have been dreaming of seeing in person for a very long time and now we had the perfect opportunity to enjoy a few hours in its company.

Just like all other 'Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique' watches, this Royal Oak features day, date, month and moonphase; however, it does not feature leap-year information as this timepiece belongs to the earlier generation of Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars. Even though the dial does not show the leap-year, the movement on this complication is programmed mechanically to take automatic account of the occurrence of a leap- year —therefore, it has no issues switching from February 29 to March 1st on a leap-year.

This amazing piece is fitted with a gorgeous rose gold smooth matte dial with needle hands also in rose gold and blue anodized hands for the complication indicators —perfectly contrasting and very well balanced.

The watch case measures 39 mm, nevertheless, it wears larger and more like a 40 mm or even a 41 mm watch. Once you put this watch on your wrist, you just don't want to take it off. While this timepiece is top heavy —considering the precious metals used on it— is still extremely comfortable and fits like a glove.

The display case back allows for full view of the amazing calibre 2120/2800 inside this beauty. As it is common on this reference, all the decoration is done by hand including all the markings on the case. This D-serial with an extremely low number is an amazing timepiece that any Audemars Piguet fan would like to own.

If you are looking to get one of the most unique and rare Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetuel Automatiques out there, this is almost as rare as it gets —only even more rare is the Tantalum and Rose Gold Quantieme Perpetuel in a limited edition of 15 pieces. 

The combination of platinum and rose gold is just stunning and this particular reference is now on our short list of 'dream watches'. 

Sticker Price 'As Much as You are Willing to Pay for One'. As a reference, the Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique in Platinum has a Sticker Price of $144,900 USD.

For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.  

Experience: La Casa del Habano, Cancun Mexico. A Wonderful Afternoon With Cuban Cigars and Rum.

On a recent trip to Mexico, we visited the famous 'La Casa del Habano' located in Cancun Quintana Roo, Mexico —the first international franchise of 'La Casa del Habano' that opened in 1990.

'La Casa del Habano' is considered a temple by those that enjoy smoking a good Cuban cigar —one of the finest pleasures in life— and a place where one can spend a whole afternoon sipping Cuban rums and smoking a handful of hard-to-find delicious 'Habanos'.

Since this was our first time at this location, we decided to walk around and absorb as much as we could of the amazing atmosphere. This is a store where you can discover interesting things in every little corner of it and where cigars, humidors, ashtrays, head sculptures and cigar knickknacks take the main stage.

Room Humidor at La Casa del Habano

One great thing about this location, is that the bar is nicely stocked with Cuban rums and you can sip some of the best 'Mojitos' made to order with 'Havana Club' rum. At this sanctuary of the finest Cuban cigars and rums, you can enjoy every variety of 'Havana Club' —including '7 Años', 'Añejo Especial', 'Gran Reserva 15 Años', Cuban Barrel Proof and even the rare 'Selección de Maestros'— and even the limited production 'Ron Extra Añejo Reserva Especial 15 Años Edmundo Dantes' —only 3,000 bottles become available every once in a while.

As we walked around the store, we noticed the beautiful domino playing table with an original Cuban domino set. The biggest difference between the traditional dominoes and the Cuban dominoes, is that the tiles include double-nines —55 piece set— instead of only double-sixes —28 piece set— on traditional sets. The game of dominoes is the national game of Cuba and for many, the best leisure activity to be enjoyed with friends and family. In the United States, this tradition is kept alive at the 'Maximo Gomez' Domino Park in Calle Ocho in the heart of Miami, Florida. A place where many of 'Los Veteranos' —older Cuban gentlemen— smoke a cigar and enjoy an afternoon playing domino with friends. 

As we continued to look around, we found four brass head sculptures of iconic cigar aficionados that include Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, John F. Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill and the legendary cigar maker Alejandro Robaina —the most famous and renowned cigar maker from the region of 'Vuelta Abajo' in Cuba. In 1997, Habanos S.A. honored Robaina by launching a line of cigars bearing the name of his famous plantation, 'Vegas Robaina'.

Once we headed inside the main humidor room, we picked a few 'Habanos' to smoke while we were there. The selection included an H. Upmann 'Edición Limitada 2009', a Romeo y Julieta 'Coronitas en Cedro' and a Bolivar No. 3.

As we kicked-off the afternoon with some amazing 'Mojitos' —notice the sugar cane that was used to mash the mint leaves— we decided to begin our cigar journey by lighting up the H. Upmann 'Edición Limitada 2009'. A fantastic cigar that is worth having its own full separate review that will be published very soon.

As we sipped our drinks and smoked our fine cigars, we walked around the store one more time, to discover other great things worth talking about. As we walked around the area where the chest humidors are displayed, we found a fine looking handmade 'Vegas Robaina' cedar chest humidor with three large drawers that can hold up to 250  cigars. A unique piece of art and the most beautiful chest humidor we have seen lately.  The decoration on the door of the chest is made of different types of natural straw and wood veneer to create the iconic image of Alejandro Robaina in his plantation. The drawers come with multiple dividers that can be arranged by the owner as desired and the Sticker Price only $1,800 USD. 

For those brave enough to leave the air conditioned space, there's a beautiful terrace overlooking the mangroves next to the 'Nichupte' lagoon where the hot and humid weather will make you feel like you are smoking a cigar near 'El Vedado' in Habana, Cuba.  

As we sipped more 'Mojitos', tried a handful of Cuban rums —including the 'Edmundo Dantes' that was even better than a Zacapa X.O.— and smoked our last Habano —a Bolivar No. 3— in the company of a delicious Danesi espresso, the afternoon drifted away into the evening under a hot and humid mid-Summer day in Cancun. As we departed this temple of 'The Good Life', we promised our friends at 'La Casa del Habano' that we would be back very soon. It only took another day before we stopped by one more time.   

La Casa del Habano Cancún 

Boulevard Kukulkan Km. 12.7

Cancún, Quintana Roo, México 77500  

+52 998 840 7000

Experience: Vilebrequins and Audemars Piguet Timepieces. Royal Oak Offshore Diver and Royal Oak 15400 in Cancun.

Honestly, there's no better beach combo than wearing your Vilebrequins along with your Audemars Piguet watches by the sea. This time, we are reporting from the beautiful beaches of Cancun, Mexico. The only thing we could've wished for is that the weather had been better.

Vilebrequin was launched in Saint-Tropez in 1971 right before the iconic Royal Oak was launched in 1972. Inspired by surfer’s trunks, the design takes shape, very different from the traditional 'swim briefs' of the time. Colorful, original and made out of spinnaker canvas, these swimwear dries quicker than others in the sun and wind.  

Every time we visit the Mexican beaches, the staple look among Mexican watchlifestylers are Vilebrequins and Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks –just like the ones pictured here.

For those that still think twice about getting their Royal Oaks wet in the pool or the beach, just relax and keep in mind that the Royal Oak 15400 is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters —good enough for a day at the pool or the beach.  

Now, if you feel that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 might be too delicate for a day at the beach, you could always bring with you that gorgeous Royal Oak Offshore Diver that you also own –perfectly suited for the beach, the pool, snorkeling and serious offshore diving.

The classic 'Moorea' Vilebrequins —pictured here— are very comfortable and they feature side pockets and a handy back cargo pocket, just in case you want to bring your room key with you.

Next time you decide to take your APs to the beach, make sure you pair them with a few pairs of Vilebrequins for the ultimate beach look. No other swimming trunks will make you look better and classier than the iconic classic 'Moorea' Vilebrequins.

One last thing to mention, is that Vilebrequin is the only brand that offers a Father & Son collection for those watchlifestylers that have kids and want them to look like their 'Mini-Me'. 

For more info click here.  

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Perpetual Calendar. A Masterpiece of 'Haute Horlogerie'.

A couple of weeks ago, we met with our watchlifestyler friend Olivier —we have featured another one of his timepieces in a story here – just to once again be left in awe by one of the amazing timepieces in his collection. This time, the watch on his wrist was an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantieme Perpetuel ref. 25829PT.OO.0944PT.01 in platinum. Just an amazing reference that doesn't need much explanation or a long write-up.

This Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar features day, date, moon phases, months and leap years with a fascinating openworked dial that is pure perfection. The blue anodized hands and the moon phase disc provide the right amount of contrast to this masterpiece that looks as good under the sleeve of a tuxedo or while wearing a pair of jeans and a plain Lanvin t-shirt.

The watch is extremely heavy as expected on a precious metal piece of this nature —our guess is that this watch weighs at least 200 grams. We promise we'll bring our scale next time we meet with Olivier and update this article with the exact weight information.

The watch is fitted with the Audemars Piguet extra-thin automatic calibre 2120/2802 composed of 343 parts and 38 jewels. This automatic movement provides a power-reserve of 40 hours when fully wound. Additionally, just as with the Royal Oak Extra Thin 'Jumbo' the oscillating weight can be customized upon customer's request. 

If you appreciate 'haute horlogerie' as much as we do and you have some extra watch funds laying around there, this complication would be a great addition to round up your collection. 

Sticker Price $144,900 USD. For more info click here.