As we approach the end of 2019 and prepare for 2020 ? surely destined to be another interesting year in the world of watches ? we take a look back at some of the most noteworthy timepieces that came out this year, in various popular categories. Today, we wrap up our 2019 retrospective with six outstanding examples of that most complex of high complications, the perpetual calendar.
After teasing the concept at SIHH 2018, in June Audemars Piguet unveiled the production version of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, the world?s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch at just 6.3 mm thickness. The 41-mm case is made from satin-brushed titanium fitted with an anti-glare sapphire crystal and a bezel in polished 950 platinum much like the Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin 15202IP from last year. It is fitted with a sapphire crystal caseback and a titanium screw-down crown, and is water-resistant to 200 meters. The satin-brushed titanium bracelet has polished 950 platinum links and a titanium folding clasp. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL" Apart from the fact that it took home the coveted Aiguille d’Or grand prize at the 2019 Geneva Grand Prix" Caliber 5133 is just 2.89 mm thick! This was achieved by reducing the number of stacks on the movement from three modules to one. The pursuit of engineering a single level movement from a three-storey one while keeping it efficient was not an easy one. It took Audemars Piguet five years of research and developmen...