The iconic Royal Oak has a way of distracting attention from other Audemars Piguet timepieces. Whether it’s the recent Bucherer Blue Edition Royal Oak Tourbillion or the black ceramic version of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, there is always something new to draw you back to the brand’s octagonal success story.

But looking ahead to 2018, Audemars Piguet appears ready to revert attention to its ladies’ Millenary collection. First created in 1995, the latest iteration of the Millenary was launched in 2015 with a hand-wound manufacture movement built from back to front. At the 2017 Dubai Watch Week an updated version of the timepiece was unveiled, this time with new ‘second skin’ bracelet straps and an opal-set addition to the range.

The ‘second skin type’ bracelets have been added to the white and pink gold variants to enhance the vintage appearance of the watch, which has the same oval case shape, dial design and Roman numerals as the 2015 iteration. The bracelet has a Polish finish to offer more flexibility of movement than a Milanese, as well as adjustable links (every 5mm) to ensure a perfect fit for each wearer. There are also 19 leather strap variations to choose from, including alligator and ostrich leather in blue, violet, green and chocolate.

More newness comes in the form of an opal dial version of the Millenary, which also uses the Frosted Gold finishing technique created in collaboration with Florentine designer Carolina Bucci for the Royal Oak collection.

All three Millenary watches house the hand-wound manufacture calibre 5201 at just 4.16mm thick. It has a power reserve of 49 hours. The 18k pink and white gold cases have diamond-set bezels and lugs with a pink sapphire-set crown. Both feature a mother-of-pearl off-centre disc and small seconds counter with either gold-toned or anthracite Roman numerals and pink gold hands. 

In contrast, the new opal version of the Millenary has a hammered and satin-finished 18k pink gold case, a translucent sapphire cabochon, and a white opal off-centred disc and small second counter with pink gold hands. It is paired with a hammered blue rubber strap, with further light blue and black alligator straps.

Overall, the combination of a skeletonised dial, textured precious metals and generous jewelled adornments make the Millenary a confident start to the New Year.

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This article was first published on Salon QP