Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

By ED209 · Mar 1, 2013 · 23 replies
ED209
WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum
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ED209 captures the intricate transition of his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Skeleton from February 28th to March 1st, offering a detailed visual journey of this horological marvel. His post highlights the precision and artistry of perpetual calendars, especially during non-leap year transitions, and shares his personal experience with this annual event.


It's that time again, the transition from February 28th to March 1st where we all get to see our wonderful perpetual calendar watches do their magic and there is nothing better than having a Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Skeleton on the wrist.   As AndrewD mentioned in the recent perpetual calendar mega-threat post on HoMe: Please click here for the post, it's not a leap year but it is still a major jump for a calendar watch.

My first experience capturing the transition was back a few years ago when I attended the PuristSPro 1st Perpetual PuristS GTG in 2008.  I had brought along my yellow gold AP RO perpetual calendar with a solid dial.  Of course, it performed perfectly and transitioned from the leap year February 29th to March 1st at midnight.Please click here for the report

The next leap year in 2012, I was on business travel and couldn't join fellow SoCal PuristS for the GTG but was able to capture the moment on my AP RO PC skeleton.  Again, AP did a great job and it also performed well Please click here for the report

So how did my watch perform this year?  Let's take a look.
I started yesterday morning at the office taking in the view of the pacific ocean and the Santa Monica pier.  The AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Skeleton has been my daily companion for the past year and has been extremely accurate.






After work, I took a few shots in the early evening. 





While waiting I took a few pics of the caseback to admire the skeletonized movement.  AP uses the caliber 2120/2802 that is 4.00mm thin and 28mm in diameter.  It beats at 19,800 vph and is made of 355 parts.  Light scroll engraving adds an elegant touch to the bridges, plates and the rotor.










As we get later into the evening, I take a few more photos.  Similar to before, not much as changed on the subdial except the date has started to move over to the 29th.









10pm rolls around and the date moves closer and points to the 30th
.





















As we past 11:00pm a few more things happen.  The month subdial moves a little bit towards March.  The day shifts slightly and the date subdial indicates the 31st.

















And just like previous reports, everything starts to happen as we approach midnight.  The date is almost on the 1st, while the day is halfway to Friday. 









With just a minute to go before midnight, the transition is almost complete.  The date is just about on the 1st, the day is nearly displaying Friday, but..... the month is still nearer to February.  Not to worry, I have full confidence in my AP.





Unlike the previous photo reports, I promised myself that for this year I would have my AP RO Perpetual Calendar Skeleton on my wrist and that I would watch it transition at midnight.  It's difficult trying to take pics while on the wrist so I wore it for a few minutes and enjoyed the personal satisfaction of examining all the details on the movement and subdials.

Back to final shots of my watch, here's the best (slightly shaky and blurry) photo after midnight reflecting Friday March 1st.





And another with my brass AP Royal Oak wall clock in the background:





And one final photo:




Hope everyone has a happy Perpetual Calendar day, and a great weekend!

Regards,
ED-209


This message has been edited by ED209 on 2013-03-01 13:10:51

About the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15305

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak reference 15305 is a notable variant within the Royal Oak line, distinguished by its openworked dial and movement, offering a direct view into the intricate mechanics. This reference represents a more elaborate and technically complex interpretation of the standard Royal Oak, appealing to collectors who appreciate haute horlogerie and the art of skeletonization. It was produced in limited quantities, making it a less common sight compared to its solid-dial counterparts. The openworked design allows for an appreciation of the finishing and architecture of the movement, a hallmark of Audemars Piguet's craftsmanship.

The watch features a 39 mm case crafted from 18k yellow gold, maintaining the classic Royal Oak proportions. It houses the self-winding Caliber 3120, which is meticulously openworked and finished to expose its components. The movement provides a power reserve of 60 hours. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, and the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, suitable for everyday wear. The fixed octagonal bezel, a signature element of the Royal Oak, is also in 18k yellow gold.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking a Royal Oak with an enhanced level of mechanical artistry and exclusivity. Its openworked nature sets it apart from more common Royal Oak models, positioning it as a piece that highlights Audemars Piguet's technical prowess in movement decoration and design. The 18k yellow gold construction further emphasizes its premium status. While not a double-signed piece as mentioned in the collector's post, the 15305 stands on its own as a significant openworked Royal Oak.

Specifications

Caliber
3120
Case
18k Yellow Gold
Diameter
39 mm
Dial
Blue
Water Resist.
50m
Crystal
Sapphire

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The Discussion
DR
DRMW
Mar 1, 2013

Cool to see it in action! -MW

ED
ED209
Mar 1, 2013

Have a great weekend. Regards, ED-209

ED
ED209
Mar 1, 2013

AP's are awesome aren't they? :) Regards, ED-209

OC
ocwatching
Mar 1, 2013

one of the joys of owning a perpetual! Thanks for sharing.. I don't have a perpetual, but even if I did, I would have a hard time staying awak to see the mechanical marvel working on a school night!

MI
MichaelC
Mar 1, 2013

What a great photo set capturing the hands in action. I really do love that watch, and can only imagine the satisfaction it must bring on the wrist.

AM
amanico
Mar 1, 2013

It is working perfectly, and moreover, this is one of my top three QP! Best, Nicolas

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