A story I wrote a while back called "Five Things I Still Can Not Believe Are A Thing In High-End Watchmaking" really seemed to strike a chord with our audience. It was one of the most popular – and shared – stories we've published in years. Which is great, because it was basically just me whining about really great watches in the way that I do to my friends every day, just this time on Hodinkee. Number five on that list was "Perpetual Calendars That Require Manual, Pusher Style Correctors With A Stylus", a complaint that was seemingly solved with AP's introduction of its entirely new caliber 7138, which allows everything to be set from the crown.
Two new references, one in steel, the other in sand gold. Photo by Mark Kauzlarich.
The response to the new caliber, and the watches that house it, was incredibly positive – as it should be – this is the kind of actual innovation that can excite even the most jaded of watch lovers (like me). But I still had so many questions about it – as did you guys, our audience – so we decided to draft in two guys who know a lot of about AP to go really deep on the topic: AP's Senior Director of Research & Development, Lucas Raggi, and a guy with whom I've spent many, many hours talking watches with over the years, Mr. John Mayer.
AP Caliber 7138 is "complexity for the sake of simplicity," defined.
In this video, we met up at the AP House in NYC to get the low down on this new, thoroughly innovative caliber that will become a foundation of AP's lineup for years to come. Lucas details so many things I had missed when the watch was introduced: how innovative it actually is, how much consideration was given to every aspect of the caliber (including the feel of setting the moonphase), and for the nerds, just how incredibly complex caliber 7138's keyless works is. Oh, also, did you guys notice how the dial of these watches feature an unusual number scheme for the date of the moth? You no longer have "31" and "1" next to each other thanks to a creative re-balancing of the sub dial, which is just another nod to how thoughtful AP has been in the creation of this new caliber.
But, I'll let Lucas explain it all for himself. I sincerely hope you enjoy this friendly chat between three watch guys, just talking about a very cool new watch. For more on the Audemars Piguet Caliber 7138 perpetual calendar, click here.
A Quick Look Behind The Scenes
Sometimes a shoot just reminds you why you do what you do – and this Monday in NYC was one of those days. Having old friends from AP in town (many of whom I've basically grown up with!), John, and our man David Aujero behind the camera again after a few years away was just an amazing thing to be a part of. It really felt like the old days, and I hope that came through in the video. More fun stuff to come soon, I promise, and in the mean time, enjoy some behind the scenes photos below.
Production Credits:
Director: David Aujero
Executive Producer: Victor Boccarossa, James Stacey
DP/Editor: Joe Wyatt
Producer/Editor: Vic Otomanelli
Producer, Branded Content: Arielle Neblett
BTS Photographer: Clarence Chan
Watch Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich
Production Support: Nick Budabin
Cam OPS: Justin Festejo, Truman Lorick
Audio: Shockwave Audio Productions
Thank you to AP House.
