Millenary might play second fiddle to the prodigious Royal Oak in the Audemars Piguet's repertoire but is a star in its own right that has garnered admiration from the most discerning patrons since its introduction in 1995. It brings to light maison's design genius and ingenuity. The collection, defined by its eccentric oval shape and extraordinary detailing, is bold, imaginative and sui generis through and through.
Initially sized at 38mm, the Millenary has now expanded to a substantial 47mm. This reference 15350OR.OO.D093CR.01 is 2011's updated version of the line and the most astounding iteration hitherto. It is armed with an in-house calibre 4101, which has been meticulously assembled back to front, revealing the usually concealed parts of the mechanism conspicuously on the dial. The gorgeous anthracite finish with the Cotes de Geneve striping gives the dimensional arrangement of the movement a beguiling visual depth. The right-aligned, off-centre grey dial carries the same textural vein and features rose gold Roman numeral hour makers. It's aesthetically overlapped around seven o'clock by a seconds sub-register. As if the vista at the front was not enough to swoon, the watch has been graced with an exhibition caseback to further reveal its inner working.