Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 Winner of the Grand Prix d’ Horlogerie 2011

Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 timepiece has been awarded the first prize in the « Prix du Public » category at the 2011 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie. In an evening hosted at the glorious settings of the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Audemars Piguet received a distinction on a contemporary piece of its collection and fine example of craftsmanship by extracting the mechanism from the cavity of its case to reveal it in all its splendour from the top of the case.

The Millenary 4101 is a masterful creation that not only oozes sophistication and style but also celebrates the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the highly skilled watchmakers in Le Brassus. Calibre 4101, entirely designed, developed and produced in-house, was built in such a way that the elements normally concealed on the back are now visible from the front. The regulating organ – composed of the balance, lever and escapement – has been reworked in order to meet this goal. It is located at 9 o’clock and offers a truly eye-catching sight. Its variable-inertia balance asserts a powerful presence with its eight inertia-blocks, its golden colour and the distinctive aesthetic of its cross-through bridge. The discerning eye will even detect the lever and the escape-wheel. Merging functionality and design, the timepiece’s inside and outside, form a seamless whole that allow its
owner to be able to admire the beating movement from the top.

On collecting the prize on behalf of the brand, Mr. Philippe Merk, CEO of Audemars Piguet said, ‘it is my great honour to receive this prize from the Millenary 4101 on behalf of Audemars Piguet ;’ and continues, `Audemars’ Piguet spirit of independence, excellence and long tradition of meticulous and fine watchmaking are being celebrated. This is an attestation that the brand does not resume with our emblematic Royal Oak but is forever evolving and continues its tradition of excellence. ’

Technical Specifications
Millenary 4101
Reference
15350ST.OO.D002CR.01
Case
· Stainless steel
· Dimensions (width/length: 47 x 42 mm)
· Thickness: 13 mm
· Sapphire crystal caseback
· Water resistance: 20 m
Dial
· Directly fixed to the bridges
· Black and anthracite with applied pink gold Roman numerals
· Pink gold hands
Movement
· Proprietary selfwinding Calibre 4101
· Overall dimensions: (width/length: 37.25 x 32.90 mm)
· Casing diameter (width/length: 36.75 x 32 mm)
· Height: 7.46 mm
· 34 jewels
· 253 parts
· Bidirectional winding 22-carat gold oscillating weight mounted on ceramic ball bearings
· 60-hour power reserve
· Frequency: 28’800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
· Variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and Breguet overcoil balance-spring
Screw-down mobile balance-spring stud-holder
· Finishing: all parts decorated by hand; mainplate adorned with horizontal Côtes de Genève
on the front and circular-grained on the back; bridges rhodiumed, bevelled, snailed and
adorned with horizontal and circular Côtes de Genève and with circular graining: diamondpolished
jewel sinks; diamond-polished countersinks and bevelled wheel spokes; bevelled
screw rims and slots.
· AP monogram as well as Audemars and Piguet family crests engraved on the oscillator
Functions
· Hours and minutes
· Small seconds
Strap
· Hand-sewn black crocodile leather with large square scales, secured by an AP folding clasp in
stainless steel