The limited-edition Audemars Piguet Millenary Quincy Jones (ref. 15161SN.OO.D002CR.01) is just yet another example how two successful brands -one being a maker of all sorts of ultra-luxury timekeepers and the other being an American record producer, musician, holder of more than 25 Grammys, and one of a few people that can be called “a face of contemporary jazz”- can join their forces to make some more money.
It’s, of course, not the first time that Quincy Jones partners with a premium brand. For example, AKG, the maker of luxury headphones, has released several special Quincy Jones Signature models including a Q701 model that I find simply outstanding. However, it is probably the first time that the name of the artist has appeared on such an expensive piece of modern art as an Audemars Piguet Millenary.
Sporting the usual for the series oval shape of its oversized body with a traditional off-centered dial, the limited edition is delivered in a PVD-coated stainless steel case hiding inside it the in-house AP 3120 automatic base caliber.
While Audemars Piguet sometimes uses refinished calibers made by its “sister” brand Frederique Piguet (for example, their 2010 Millenary Chronograph is powered by an FP 1185-based Caliber AP 2385,) this particular mechanism is officially an “in-house” movement.
Although I suppose that there was some transfer of talents and technology between two brands, they appear to make sure that the engine adheres to all the requirements to be called a Manufacture-grade caliber.
Introduced about five years ago and sporting a wonderfully decorated rotor made of 22-carat gold, the movement is a marvel of industrial design. The movement is a pleasure to look at and I do not really understand why AP decided to deliver it with a solid case back cover. I mean, if they wanted a place to reproduce Mr. Jones’s facsimile, they could have used a laser-engraved sapphire crystal.
All in all, it looks great both in terms of the chosen monochromatic color scheme (at the end of it, there will be nothing better than the immortal black-and-white combination) and the combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces.
Well, like the rest of the family, it is a pain to look at the dial, since the hour and minute hands are almost lost among the oversized Roman numerals. And the hands –as well as the numerals– do not seem to bear any luminescent substance on them.
Only 500 of the Millenary Quincy Jones watches will ever be produced and sold. Recommended retail price to be announced later*.
UPDATE ON PRICING: In the United States, the limited-edition model will be sold at $21,500 USD.
See also: Oris Rectangular Bob Dylan Limited Edition
Photos: Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet Millenary Quincy Jones (ref. 15161SN.OO.D002CR.01) specification
Price range: $21,500 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber AP 3120, automatic, 40 jewels, 278 parts, 21,600 vph, Swiss Made
Jewels: 40
Cadence of balance: 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Power reserve: 60 hours
Case and Bezel: Stainless steel, black PVD
Shape: Ovoid
Transparent back: No, solid, engraved
Dimensions: 47.00 x 42.00 mm
Case height: 12.60 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Roman
Hands: Steel, polished, open-worked
Strap: Crocodile leather on black PVD pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflection coated
Water resistance: 20 meters