Audemars Piguet Reveals Stellar Perpetual Calendar in Collaboration with John Mayer

Audemars Piguet is celebrating the opening of their newest AP House in Milan this week with a range of new watches across their Royal Oak and Code 11:59 collections. Amongst them we find a new collaborative effort that once again crosses into the music industry, this time with artist John Mayer. This comes on the heels of the Travis Scott ‘Cactus Jack’ QP introduced late last year (see our hands-on with that watch right here), and immediately strikes a stark contrast to that brown ceramic affair thanks to a bright 18k white gold case and bracelet, and deep blue dial. This is the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar “John Mayer” Limited Edition, and there’s more here than meets the eye.

The new Perpetual Calendar makes use of the caliber 5134, which defines the iconic QP layout for the Royal Oak, and this limited edition will mark this movement’s final appearance. The 5134 made its debut in 2015, with roots in the famous JLC developed 2120 that first made waves in the mid ‘60s in watches from the likes of Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. The 5134 and its lineage has appeared in some of the most influential watches in modern history, and this collaboration with John Mayer will be its swan song. 

The most defining element of this watch, however, is the dial. Audemars Piguet refers to it as “Crystal Sky” and it’s an embossed motif in a brass plate that gives a very organic impression, almost as if carved or hammered by hand. The heavily textured dial is rendered in a deep blue PVD that will likely provide a highly dynamic appearance at different angles and lighting conditions. John Mayer says “My favourite watches have dials that you can stare endlessly at.” and this seems to have been a driving creative force behind this watch. 

The 18k white gold case and its famous integrated bracelet is 41mm in diameter, and a mere 9.5mm in thickness. The movement itself is just 4.5mm thick, and packs plenty of complexity within that space. The day and date subdials are situated at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively, while the month and leap year indication settle into the 12 o’clock position. Finally, a moon phase display is situated at the bottom of the dial alongside the AP branding. 

Audemars Piguet will produce 200 examples of this Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, and each will be priced at $180,700. It’s place in history as the final expression of the caliber 5134 is set, and will pave the way for a new generation of innovation and complication from AP. Explore all of the new releases from Audemars Piguet here.