wt_2004_03: test: audemars piguet jules audemars 3120 classic

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All photos by Christian Schörg ction With its new Caliber 3120, Audemars Piguet has achieved something like the fabled "Golden Section." The two classic Calibers, 2120 and 2121, served simultaneously as inspirations and reference points. models. BY ALEXANDER LINZ June 2004 WatchTime 63
TEST: AUDEMARS PIGUET JULES AUDEMARS 3120 CLASSIC Advantages + The house of Audemars Piguet’s own exclusive mechanism + Interesting technology + Modern, trumpery-free design + Appealing dial Disadvantages - The minute hand is a bit too short - Runs significantly fast in some positions - High price God is in the details: The Caliber 3120 is a perfect example of classical proportion and handcraftsmanship. In the mathematical abstraction know as the "Golden Section," a line is divided into segments so that the relationship between the lengths of the longer segment and the entire line is equal to the relationship between the lengths of the shorter segment and the longer segment. When this rather abstruse idea is applied to the concrete example of the Caliber 3120 from Audemars Piguet, it means that the company's watchmakers and technicians approached the task of constructing this new caliber with great care and sensitivity. Whether or not they actually found the Golden Section is a question to which we'll devote this first comprehensive discussion of the new self-winding caliber. High-quality movements have been designed by Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland in the Vallée de Joux for many years. The family-owned business stands atop a solid financial foundation and in terms of technical expertise, the successors to the founding families (Audemars and Piguet) command plenty of know-how. Annual turnover of 210 million Swiss francs and the several hundred million Swiss francs realized from the sale of its 40% share in Jaeger-LeCoultre to the Richemont concern form the basis for the firm's policy of financial independence. Time never stands still, especially when the development of complications is concerned. As early as 1992, Audemars Piguet had already bought into Renaud & Papi, the high-tech watch smithy in Le Locle. After learning their craft at Audemars Piguet, both Renaud and Until recently, Audemars Piguet lacked a simple manufacture base caliber that they could produce in large numbers. Papi decided to go into business on their own, founding Renaud & Papi SA in 1986. Somewhat later, when the two watchmakers were searching for a partner who could guarantee their firm's continued existence; their former employer was instantly amenable to the idea. Audemars Piguet became majority shareholder, and Renaud & Papi SA was renamed Audemars Piguet (Renaud et Papi) S.A., or "APRP" for short. Their savoir-faire is impressive, and the commissions don't come only from the majority shareholder, but also from a whole slew of the most renowned luxury watchmakers in Germany and Switzerland. Audemars Piguet invested heavily in new APRP facilities when it opened an ultramodern industrial building in Le Locle on September 24, 2003. The new wing that was added to the APRP's original house offers three times more space. This was a qualitative and intelligent investment in the future. Approximately 100 special- 64 WatchTime June 2004
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wt_2004_03: test: audemars piguet jules audemars 3120 classic

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