Audemars Piguet turns 150 – and makes the perpetual calendar easier to wear

Celebrating 150 years is a big deal, and Audemars Piguet hasn’t disappointed. 

Instead of just making something flashy, the brand took one of its most complicated watches –  the perpetual calendar – and made three different ones – more practical, refined and totally wearable.

Until now, the perpetual calendar has been reserved for the 41mm case.

But for the big birthday, smaller – 38mm – is the way forward. But now they’re packed with smart upgrades that make everyday use much simpler.

One crown to control

At the heart of these new watches are two new calibres: 7136 and recently-introduced 7138, both protected by five patents.

Both are slim beautifully finished movements with a major bonus – everything is adjusted through the crown.

No more hidden pushers or fiddly tools. Whether you’re setting the date, day, month, leap year, or moon phase, you can now do it all just by turning or pulling the crown. It’s intuitive, quick, and takes the stress out of owning a high-complication watch.

The movements also have a bumper 55-hour power reserve, which means you can take your watch off for the weekend and it’ll keep running.

Three styles

Audemars Piguet (AP) launched three versions of this updated perpetual calendar, each offering its own vibe:

Royal Oak perpetual calendars – pink gold and steel

The Royal Oak features a soft beige dial and a striking blue moon phase indicator at six o’clock, giving it a sense of warmth and refined elegance.

This pink gold model looks bold but isn’t overbearing at its new size, and is suitable for day and evening wear.

There’s also a crisp steel model with a light-blue Grande Tapisserie dial and matching counters. 

For those who prefer a sporty look, the stainless steel Royal Oak version is a beauty.

Code 11.59

This model pairs a sculpted pink-gold case with a rich green guilloché dial, crafted with artisan Yann Von Kaenel. 

It features an embossed concentric motif adding depth and radiance, and is complemented by a matching alligator strap.

Small changes, big improvements

There are lots of thoughtful little tweaks here too. The calendar layout is cleaner and easier to read, with subtle design changes like optimised spacing and improved date discs. 

The finishing on the movement is exactly what you’d expect from AP – it’s complete with polished bezels, Côtes de Genève, and a 22ct gold rotor you can admire through the sapphire caseback.

All three models feature a moon phase display designed with visuals inspired by NASA imagery, adding a celestial touch to the dial.

There are just 150 limited editions which accompany the major launches, and these include vintage AP signatures and special engravings.

Why it matters

This trio isn’t just a birthday celebration. 

AP is showing that even its most technical complications can be elegant, wearable, and user-friendly. By simplifying the way you interact with the watch – and offering different designs – the perpetual calendar feels more approachable than ever.

For longtime fans and new collectors alike, it’s a gentle reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean reinventing the wheel. This time it’s simply making something complicated feel effortless.

Want a new watch?

If you’re looking for a new AP to add to your collection, you can find our boutique here in Epping or check out our extensive range of watches from top luxury brands, on this website.