Audemars Piguet

2012 collection presentation at the Paris Boutique

 

A few days ago the AP Boutique in Paris organized a cocktail to present some pieces of the 2012 collection. Sadly, we couldn't see the skeletonized watches created to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Royal Oak but we got a good overview of the collection.

And, good news for me, I was able to discover two watches I missed in Geneva.

I propose to start the report with these two ones as I already did a comprehensive report of the AP presentation at the SIHH.

These two watches are:

- a new version of the Diver with forged carbon case and ceramic bezel. The watch uses the same movement than the "classic" Diver (3120) and has the same size. But the appearance of the case and the choice of colours (a mix of black and yellow, some may say that we find again IWS colours...) make it more sportive than the other version. I can't give you a precise date of release. But don't expect it before the end of the year or beginning of 2013. Yes, I know, it will be very long wait but production will be limited. I was quite seduced by its "wild" design and forged carbon works pretty well in this context.

- the 2012 Tour Auto watch. After the Millenary in 2011, the Royal Oak Offshore is back as a base for the Tour Auto watch. Obviously, we find again the classic Tour Auto colours with a subtle touch of red. I prefer the dial of the 2010 version even if this one is very decent.

Let's browse now some watches I already presented you.

The star of the show was the new 15202. Some guests who discovered it for the first time appreciated the dial layout and the comfort of the new folding clasp. The new style of the rotor provokes mixed emotions.

A guest was wearing his 15202 and he could compare them.

I'm not a great fan of  the black date disk which seems to lead to a better integration of the window on the dial. But I also understand that the contrast between the date and the dial was a part of the charm of the previous 15202. And when you closely look at the dial, there is a little something between black and blue which doesn't match at 100%.

The new Royal Oak Chronograph (aka ref 26320) is a bit too large for my taste even if I like the work on the indexes and the faceted hands. But it lost a part of its elegance in my point of view (look at the position of the date window). Caliber remains FP 1185 of course.

The date window is too close to the subdials (or too far from the bezel if you prefer...). The indexes do their job properly to reduce the feeling of size but can't hide the position of the window.

It is a bit the same story with the 15400. But on the other hand, the enlarged case is visually more slender than 15300 one which is an excellent improvement.

More than any other one, it is a watch to be tested. In a pure feeling of size, the watch looks smaller than its 41mm diameter due to the thick bezel. But the case by itself is big and needs to be worn to be sure that comfort on the wrist ise fine. Date window position is not shocking with the 15400.

I also had the opportunity to wear one of my fav 2011 novelties, the Millenary 4101. Question is: how long will I resist? Each time I put it on my wrist, my resistance becomes weaker and weaker.





A few pics of the friendly atmosphere of the event:

We always appreciate to see the watchmaker at work:

I would like to finish the report with a special wristshot. Yes, it is not that easy to wear this gold Jumbo but believe me, the combo between gold and blue dial is gorgeous. A perfect watch with tanned skin!

 

I would like to thank a lot the AP France team for the warm welcome and the perfect orgaznization of this event.

Fx

PS: if you want to see more pics of some of these watches, please click on the link below to reach my report of the AP presentation at 2012 SIHH:
ap.watchprosite.com