Audemars Piguet Launch New Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

Thanks to its eyecatching aesthetics, the timepiece grabbed plenty of attention at the show and rapidly became one of the historic brand’s most coveted watches.

For SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet followed up by releasing a version of the Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin with a similar black ceramic treatment. Andnow they’ve launched a new AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked in black ceramic, representing the first skeletonised Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar to appear in the brand’s catalogue since 2015.

“This is the first time in many years that Audemars Piguet has introduced an open-worked perpetual calendar wristwatch,” says Michael Friedman, the head of complications at AP. “The effort here was to create an experience of contrast and play of light.”

The new timepiece still has a case that measures 41mm across and just 9.9mm thick, while it also has the same brushed finish on the case along with the integrated ceramic bracelet. However, Audemars Piguet have developed a new caliber, the 5135, for the latest black ceramic timepiece.

Rather than being just an open-worked version of the caliber 5134 that can be found in this watch’s predecessors, the movement has also been redesigned for maximum aesthetic effect. Meanwhile the transparent dial that gives a view of the complex perpetual calendar’s workings is contrasted rose gold accents.

Availability has not yet been confirmed, but it will come with an asking price of about $130,600.