Article of the week
Louis Erard Unveils the Limited-Edition Gravée Main

Since 2021, Louis Erard has been redefining the boundaries of Métiers d’Art, from Grand Feu enamel and guilloché to wood marquetry, and soon, gold wire inlay. Now, Gravée Main opens a new chapter, paying tribute to one of the oldest crafts in watchmaking hand engraving.
Gravée Main represents a new milestone in Louis Erard’s Métiers d’Art series. This limited edition of 99 unique timepieces places hand engraving at center stage, with every metal element entirely engraved and finished by hand, a meticulous process that requires more than 50 hours of work. 

Introducing AP Launches the First 38mm Perpetual Calendar Models

Marking its 150th anniversary with a smaller take take Royal Oak and Code 11.59

As one of the biggest names in Swiss watchmaking, Audemars Piguet is renowned for creating some of the industry’s most complicated and finely crafted timepieces. The brand has consistently pushed boundaries, with its releases often stealing the spotlight. Now, in its 150th anniversary year, Audemars Piguet is unveiling the Royal Oak and Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar in a newly downsized and more wearable 38mm case for the first time.

Traditionally housed in 41mm cases, this more compact interpretation makes one of watchmaking’s most poetic complications accessible to a wider range of wrists.

The Code 11.59 Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar comes in 18K pink gold with a diameter of 38mm and a thickness of 9.9mm, while the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar measures 38mm × 9.4mm and is offered in stainless steel or 18K pink gold. All three models feature sapphire casebacks that reveal the movement. The Code 11.59 is water-resistant to 100 meters, while the Royal Oak is rated at 50 meters.

The Code 11.59 showcases a green guilloché dial, crafted by Swiss master artisan Yann Von Kaenel, with embossed concentric motifs adding depth. The Royal Oak is offered in two variations: a light blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial with snailed counters in steel, and a beige “Grande Tapisserie” dial paired with a moon phase at 6 o’clock. Across all models, the calendar indications, day, date, month, leap year, and moon phase, are arranged with symmetry, while the moon phase itself draws inspiration from NASA imagery.

These watches debut Audemars Piguet’s new selfwinding calibres 7136 and 7138, both measuring just 4.1mm thick and delivering a 55-hour power reserve. Each movement is protected by five patents and incorporates an all-in-the-crown correction system that eliminates the need for case-side correctors, allowing all functions to be adjusted directly via the crown which we covered in detail here.

 

The Code 11.59 is paired with a green textured rubber strap lined with calfskin, secured by a pink gold folding clasp. The Royal Oak models feature matching bracelets in steel or pink gold with folding clasps. Each of the three perpetual calendar references is limited to 150 pieces, priced at $110,900 (≈ AED 407,300) for the steel model, and $150,000 (≈ AED 550,900) for the pink gold Royal Oak.

For more information, visit Audemars Piguet’s official website.

Technical Specifications: Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar 38mm
  • Case: 18K pink gold, sapphire crystal front and back
  • Diameter: 38mm 
  • Thickness: 9.9mm
  • Water Resistance: 100 meters
  • Dial: Green guilloché, indications for (day, date, month, leap year, and moon phase
  • Movement: Calibre 7136, automatic, 4.1mm thickness
  • Functions: Perpetual calendar, hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap year, moon phase
  • Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
  • Power Reserve: 55 hours
  • Bracelet/Strap: Green textured rubber strap with calfskin lining, 18K pink gold folding clasp
  • Availability: Limited to 150 pieces
  • Price: $150,000 (≈ AED 550,900)

 

Technical Specifications: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 38mm
  • Case: Stainless steel or 18K pink gold, sapphire crystal front and back
  • Diameter: 38mm 
  • Thickness: 9.9mm
  • Water Resistance: 50 meters
     Dial: Light blue “Grande Tapisserie” with snailed counters, Pink Gold Beige “Grande Tapisserie”, indications for (day, date, month, leap year, and moon phase) 
  • Movement: Calibre 7138, automatic, 4.1mm thickness
  • Functions: Perpetual calendar, hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap year, moon phase
  • Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
  • Power Reserve: 55 hours
  • Bracelet/Strap: Integrated bracelet in stainless steel or pink gold, folding clasp
  • Availability: Limited to 150 pieces per reference
  • Price: (Stainless Steel) $110,900 ≈ AED 407,300, Pink Gold $150,000 ≈ AED 550,900

     

 


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