Fascinating and Exclusive, The AP No5 (Collection of Excellence) opens a new chapter with its innovative escapement that promises to enhance performances further.
I cannot stop looking at this unique mechanical timepiece, when fully wound it has 168 hours of mechanical miracles presented in a signature of esthetical Art. To me, it is a beauty beyond reach that will fill my dreams for sometimes.
Yves.
From:
Audemars Piguet
Showcasing a new escapement
For the piece N° 5 of its Tradition of Excellence collection, issued in a limited edition of 20 watches in platinum, Audemars Piguet once again innovates by offering, within an oval Millenary case, a linear read-off perpetual calendar equipped with a brand-new high-performance escapement system requiring no lubrication. A world first heralding a major revolution in the watchmaking world – and which will doubtless turns collectors’ heads around the globe.
A tradition of invention
Representing an essential component of the watch – since its function is to maintain and “count” the oscillations of the regulator organ (balance and spring assembly) – the escapement system has always stimulated watchmakers’ inventiveness. One of the main goals is to reduce energy losses to a minimum and to guarantee optimal operation even when subjected to impacts and changes of position. Before the Swiss lever escapement achieved its current dominant position, the greatest horological geniuses had explored various solutions: the crown-wheel escapement, the Graham dead-beat escapement (1718) the Leroy detent escapement (1748), the Mudge lever escapement (1759), etc. In 1791, Robert Robin (1742-1799), former official royal watchmaker, invented a new type of escapement combining the advantages of a detent escapement (high efficiency) with those of the lever escapement (more secure operation). Despite an extremely ingenious principle, the Robin escapement did not enjoy the future it deserved. Certain details of its geometry made it overly sensitive to shocks; complex to manufacture, it also called for a level of accuracy in making it that was not technically feasible in that era.
A tradition of daring
For the Audemars Piguet watchmakers, innovating sometimes means challenging even the most firmly established principles. Faithful to the inventive traditions of the Vallée de Joux, the Manufacture therefore decided to explore paths different from the Swiss lever escapement which has been widely used since the early 20th century. Drawing inspiration from the mechanism proposed by Robin, it has developed an all-new direct-impulse escapement system featuring numerous advantages and is being showcased for the very first time in Cabinet N°5 of the Tradition of Excellence collection. However, contrary to the Robin escapement, the Audemars Piguet system is completely shock-resistant. To solve this issue, the watchmakers of the Manufacture have developed a new “guard-pin” designed to prevent any accidental movements of the “fork”.
Through its innovative concept and its exceptional performances, this new Audemars Piguet escapement represents a mini-revolution in the field of mechanical horology. It heralds the new generation of Audemars Piguet movements and will enable the Manufacture to enhance the performances still further.
Compared with a classic (Swiss lever) escapement, the world-first new system presented by Audemars Piguet displays superior technical characteristics:
Lubricant-free: the distinctive geometry of the Audemars Piguet escapement means it requires no lubrication – the dream of any watchmaking – thereby facilitating maintenance and avoiding the mechanism being clogged up with grease once the oil has evaporated.
Detached single-beat escapement: a single impulse corresponds to two vibrations, hence a drop in rating disturbances and extremely high efficiency.
Direct impulsion: energy is transmitted directly from the escapement to the balance, without the need for a lever, thereby reducing energy losses.
High efficiency: in a movement with a Swiss lever escapement, the escapement absorbs 65% of the energy. In the Audemars Piguet system, the escapement absorbs just 48%, which is much better than a classic system.
Excellent shock-resistance: the carefully designed shape of the various parts and their ultra-precise blanking guarantee optimal security against “tripping” and “overbanking”.
Optimal long-term stability:tests conducted over the past five years have shown that this escapement demonstrates excellent operating stability.
Improved chronometry: the isochronism of the balance and spring assembly may be adjusted by moving the locking point/angle in relation to the impulse transmitted to the balance: reducing mechanical disturbances on the level of the escapement further enhance the precision of the movement.
Price: 310,000 Euro
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