Audemars Piguet Unveils the 150 Heritage: A New Era of Ultra-Complicated Pocket Watches
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A testament to over a century of innovation, Audemars Piguet has introduced the 150 Heritage, its third ultra-complicated pocket watch, showcasing the newly developed Calibre 1150 movement and setting a new standard for both complexity and usability in Haute Horlogerie. The launch builds upon a legacy of pushing the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking, dating back to the late 19th century.
A Legacy of Complication
Audemars Piguet’s dedication to mechanical innovation began to take shape in 1899 with the unveiling of L’Universelle, the Manufacture’s most complicated pocket watch at the time, specifically crafted for Union Glashütte. This was followed in 1921 by La Grosse Pièce, delivered to S. Smith & Sons, further solidifying the brand’s reputation for intricate timepieces. According to a company release, these early creations laid the groundwork for a relentless pursuit of horological excellence.
Calibre 1150: Building on a Foundation of Innovation
More than a century later, that spirit of ingenuity culminated in the development of Calibre 1000, introduced with RD#4 in 2023. The 150 Heritage directly honors this legacy, inaugurating Calibre 1150 – a new movement that retains the core architecture of its predecessor. However, this is no mere adaptation. The mechanism has been entirely revisited and reconstructed to optimize performance specifically for a pocket watch format.
As the timepiece is designed to be carried, not worn, Calibre 1150 has been adapted to a hand-wound format, with the oscillating weight removed. This intricate movement brings together the Manufacture’s collective horological savoir-faire, comprising 1,099 components and delivering an astounding 40 functions and 22 complications.
A Symphony of Functions
The 150 Heritage boasts a remarkable array of features, including a Grande Sonnerie, a minute repeater, a semi-Gregorian perpetual calendar, a split-seconds flyback chronograph, and a flying tourbillon. The movement also incorporates Audemars Piguet’s latest research and development innovations: Supersonnerie technology (RD#1), an ultra-thin movement architecture (RD#2), and an oscillator with increased amplitude (RD#3).
To maintain visual clarity amidst this complexity, all calendar indications are displayed in dedicated apertures, ensuring the chronograph counters remain unobstructed and the date is instantly readable.
Redefining Interaction and Ergonomics
Audemars Piguet’s engineers went beyond conventional construction methods, blurring the line between the case and the movement itself. They meticulously re-evaluated how the movement’s functions are activated. Through extensive 3D modeling and physical testing, the position and role of each crown, pusher, and corrector were optimized for enhanced tactile comfort and ease of use.
“This new construction removes any unnecessary controls, prevents accidental activation of functions and ensures the watch comfortably fits inside a pocket,” a senior official stated. The result is a design that prioritizes intuitive operation and a seamless user experience.
The 150 Heritage represents not just a continuation of Audemars Piguet’s legacy, but a bold step forward in the art of ultra-complicated timekeeping, demonstrating a commitment to both technical mastery and user-centric design.
