”Those are really tiny seconds,” a friend said while looking (closely) at the Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 on my wrist – a spectacular yet not very popular watch launched by the Swiss manufacturer at the SIHH 2011.
The model may not be popular, but I like it immensely nonetheless. And I liked it when I first saw it during an interview with the designer of the watch, Octavio Garcia, and even mentioned it as my 2011 favourite from Audemars Piguet in an article. But why is this model not popular? Allow me to put forward a few suggestions.
The obvious reason is simply that it is not a Royal Oak or even better an Offshore – the two best-selling collections from the Maison in Le Brassus for many years already. Also, the watch offers a slightly odd oval-shaped case. And from what I have heard from puzzled onlookers, this is a shape better suited for a female watch. Personally I have never thought of this particular shape as especially appealing to the female audience, but I take notice of the remarks (although without necessarily feeling sissified).
But why do I like the watch so much if so many others do not and some even call it a ladies’ watch? Well, I really like the offbeat design of the Millenary – a collection that debuted back in 1995 and is the brain-child of Audemars Piguet Chief Designer Octavio Garcia and micromechanical magician Giulio Papi of Renaud & Papi. Together these two super-talented wizards created such spectacular watches with this oval shape, i.e. the Millenary Carbon One with tourbillon and chronograph, the Cabinet No. 5 with a linear perpetual calendar and also a minute repeater version with striking gongs.
For me, the Millenary represents traditional Swiss watchmaking at its finest, i.e. the open-worked in-house movement and off-centered small dial that resembles vintage pocket watches. In addition, the Millenary 4101 also offers a contemporary watch features, including the fascinating exploding Roman numerals. These look the way they do for purely aesthetic reasons and offer a wealth of visual impressions, depending on the light and angles.
My friend was right however, when he made the remark regarding the tiny seconds counter. It does not bother me at all, even though it is indeed actually smaller than the fast ticking balance wheel that offers a frequency of 28.800 beats per hour. A balance wheel that will undoubtedly have your full attention due to its prominent position in the open-worked movement.
The wearing comfort of the Millenary 4101 is high as it is made of steel and houses an open-worked movement that does not weigh much on the wrist. It also slides easily underneath my shirt cuffs, but looks fantastic with a T-shirt as well. And I guess as long as I do not start wearing nail polish or dress up with stilettos I can still pull off the Millenary 4101 as a man’s watch.
