Audemars Piguet

Enjoying this rear view of the AP QP Skeleton

Amazingly, older generations of the skeleton have sometimes even more finer finishing!

Cheers
Peter

Enjoying the front as well as the back equally

Cheers
Peter

I would agree the older finishes are finer.  But that is not the essence of this model.

Would be interesting!

Cheers
Peter

Enthusiasts have been paying more and getting less for a long, long time now. Higher prices, yet more industrialization and machine finishing. Higher profits aren't being routed to products but rather to marketing, advertising and wooing VIPs. AP is among many others in this regard.

And it does seem there are fewer craftsman that can finish like this, but it's understandable. Is musical or athletic talent passed down easily? Probably somewhat but not 1000%.

If anything what I can say is that the finishings on the exterior have been elevated in this case - with the use of ceramics.

Peter

Unfortunately this is the new normal. Formerly there was pride to deliver best craftsmanship without bragging about. It simply went without saying. Now storytelling and dazzling is often the only what you get and you have to pay way more for less than before. This true in the watchmaking sector, in the hospitality, the gastronomy, car industry, clothing, everywhere. Poor mankind. Fortunately the last dinosaurs that still know will be soon dead and no one will be left to complain about the new lows praised to be the utmost best. That is life.

Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel - with the development of the Universelle - it provides a blueprint for haute mechanical movements at least across its lines. The core of the split second mechanism in the Universelle seems to be already considered as a platform for new models. Yes it's not accessible like say, an IWC Doppel, but we will see how it is used in future pieces. I do enjoy the fact that AP is doing a decent job at updating all of its base movements and several core complications (chrono, flying Tourbillon, split second).

Cheers
Peter

This movement is top notch, a beauty to behold and cherish.

At least. Finishing outside and inside

Cheers
Peter

Cheers
Peter

1120 to 2120 to 5134 to 5135...

If you look at old skeletonized perpetuals, there are clearly similarities!

Peter