Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultra-Complication Universelle (RD#4)

An intuitive 'Super-crown'

The crown enables the forwards or backwards correction of the month and automatically returns to its neutral position after a rotation in either direction. This ease of use hides highly technical mechanical devices located in both the crown and the movement, as well as a complex security system preventing misuse.

Moon phase

An innovative astronomical moon system conveys a more realistic depiction of the lunar cycle. Two concentric discs, on which six different moon positions are printed, combine to form ten images faithfully representing the transitory stages between the New and Full Moon.

Grande Sonnerie Supersonnerie

In Calibre 1000 the gongs are now attached to the 0.6mm sapphire crystal membrane acting as a soundboard, while the caseback can be opened by an extra-thin "secret" cover, which also features apertures on the side to let air through and boost sound amplification when the watch sits on the wrist.

Perpetual calendar

The calendar functions have been organised to take as little space as possible. Calibre 1000 builds on the Calibre 5133 and the release of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin RD#2 prototype, which merged the perpetual calendar functions onto one single level. The end-of-the-month cam has been similarly integrated to the date wheel, while the month cam has been combined to the month wheel. Additional calendar functions include a large date and a year indication.

Escapement

To optimise the flow of energy and prevent the watch from stopping when all functions are working, the Calibre 1000 relies on a new oscillator with increased amplitude premiered in 2022 on the two RD#3 Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin models. The energy of the base movement has also been increased to feed the different functions and prolong the autonomy of the watch when not on the wrist.

Split-seconds flyback chronograph

The flyback mechanism restarts the chronograph without stopping it first, while the split-seconds hand enables the measurement of intermediate time intervals. This classic complication marries precision, synchrony and ease of use.