http://www.ablogtoread.com/audemars-piguet-millenary-mc12-tourbillon-chronograph-watch-available-on-james-list/
I am always curious as to what the thought process is when admirable watch makers design watches after cars. They never seem to look too much like the cars they are modeled after. this might be a bit of an exception as at least the colors match. Do you think that cars are ever modeled after watches? Maybe. Well this is the Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon Chronograph. Let me unravel that name for a moment. The “Millenary” title alludes to the stlye of the case and the “MC12″ name refers to the Maserati super car that the watch is based on. The MC12 is basically a race car, not even really sure if it is street legal. The MC12 is Masterati’s version of the Ferrari Enzo. Then you have the tourbillon complication and the 30 minute chronograph. Audemars Piguet also throws in a power reserve indicator for the Calibre 2884 manually wound movement.
The open work style of the watch is a good intersection between modern and classic. Branding on the dial has Audemars Piguet and Maserati sharing the same size, which is interesting. Audemars Piguet is shorted to just “AP” and you have the Masterati Trident logo. The chronograph has a large central seconds hand with an easy to use tachymeter. The chronograph is also an monopusher chronograph meaning it is operated via a single button. Although the face of the watch is oblong, the dial itself is actually perfectly round. The Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon Chronograph originally was released in about 2006 in a limited edition of just 150 pieces. The movement utilizes carbon which is part of Audemars Piguet’s talents many other watch makers can’t seem to replicate too well. I personally think that carbon is a bit gimmicky, but it is apparently very difficult to work in small sizes. The blued metal in the movement to match the blue of the car is a nice touch. The case of the Millenary is made of 950 platinum which makes it hefty and expensive. If you ever hear that a super car uses platinum, walk the other direction, it is a damn heavy material the opposite of “weight saving.” Last of all you get a crocodile leather strap. Price? About $320,000. Lower than the original retail price though.
Written by Mr. Ariel Adams – aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.
http://www.outofaces.com/ap-millenary-mc12/
Two of the finest masters of machinery combine to form one super exotic watch. The Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon is modeled after the Maserati supercar, bearing the same MC12 model name. The car is a powerful racing machine with 12 cylinders of raw power while the watch is an equally challenging piece of equipment with a mechanical winding movement and a tourbillon chronograph. For those who have their racing hearts beating from the sight of the watch, an easy-to-use tachymeter is also available, courtesy of the large seconds hand. Because of the complications in manufacturing such masterpiece, only 150 samples of this watch has been made, and one just turned up for sale. Like the Maserati, this Audemars Piguet speaks of exclusivity and premium quality, so having one in your collection is a very good investment. ~$322,000.
http://www.sibaritissimo.com/audemars-piguet-millenary-mc12/
Desde su fundación, en 1875, la casa Audemars Piguet se ha convertido en una de las empresas de relojería más carismáticas y mejor consideradas del mundo. La relojera nació de la unión de Edward-Auguste Piguet y Jules-Louis Audemars. Piguet aportó el dinero (cuentan que 10.000 francos suizos) mientras que Audermars proporcionó los mecanismos relojeros. Desde entonces la empresa no deja de sorprendernos.
Como es el caso del extraordinario modelo que nos ocupa: el Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12.
Esta joya para coleccionistas (sólo se han fabricado 150 unidades) ha sido creada en homenaje a uno de los automóviles de carrera más bellos de todos los tiempos: el Maserati MC12.
El Audemars Piguet MC12 evoca al Maserati por su diseño, los materiales de alta tecnología utilizados; aluminio eloxado para los puentes y carbono ultraligero para la platina del mecanismo. El reloj reúne un tourbillon, un cronógrafo y un sistema de doble barrilete. ¿El resultado? Una máquina absolutamente excepcional.
Otros detalles técnicos:
Mecanismo: Calibre 2884 con sistema de remonte manual de doble barrilete con torbellino.
Caja y bisel: Platino 950; fondo de zafiro; estanco hasta 20 metros.
Esfera: Calada sobre el mecanismo, con contador 30 minutos de carbono a las 12 horas; tridente Maserati de oro.
Pulsera: Cocodrilo con hebilla desplegable AP de platino 950.
Funciones: Horas y minutos; cronógrafo; indicación de reserva de marcha.
