ED209
[Purist]
7307
Capturing the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in action
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
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Capturing the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in action
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 wri...
cool post ED209
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!
It's worth staying up for
Hi ocwatching, Thanks, it's definitely a watch that's worth staying up to see the perpetual calendar transition. Hope to see you soon. Regards, ED-209
Terrific post Ed, thanks for sharing with us
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.
Very enjoyable
Something to look forward to every year. I can't wait to see the new AP ROO perpetual that you posted in the SIHH 2013 report. Thanks MichaelC! Regards, ED-209
That is a great post, Ed.
It is working perfectly, and moreover, this is one of my top three QP! Best, Nicolas
You'll get a closer look soon...
:) Thanks Nicolas, hope to meet up with you soon and you can check it out in person. Regards, ED-209
Glad to see it pass the test with flying colours Ed!
Many QP owners have anxious moments come this time. I have witnessed a few non-performers, which can render the owner a certain amount of grief! Thanks for sharing this moment with us with that gorgeous watch. cheers fernando
More anxious as it got closer to midnight
Hi Fernando, Thanks for reading the post. I always get anxious as it approaches midnight. I've seen some perpetual calendars (JLC master grand reveil perpetual calendar, UN GMT perpetual calendar) which doesn't change at midnight, it actually changes abou...
Hi Ed, a few things....
First, thank you very much for those shots, looking at your photos made me think I was actually there too with the watch! Also, thanks for wearing the watch on the wrist at midnight.... i didn't realise how much the blue hands can stand out in the right l...
The blue hands on the subdials
Hi Imran, Thanks for the kind words. I love the blue hands, in different lighting and angles it changes from a dark blue (almost blackish) to a bright polished blue. All three subdial hands have the blue color. Here's a pic where it's darker: And another ...
Ed fantastic report...
and the behaviour seems more than fine to me.... Unfortunately I was separated from mine this end of Feb.....so i will have to have a private event later on in March.... Great post. Mo
A fellow AP RO PC SQ wearer
Hi Mo, Thanks for reading the post, I'm sure your AP RO PC SQ is just as perfect :) Hope you get some more wrist time with it. Regards, ED-209