The Big Chill

Frosted gold lends a new shine to Audemars Piguet’s Millenary

- Brian Cheong

A watch with only one hand? The idea isn’t as revolutionary as you might think. Timepieces in the 17th century had only one hand because it made energy transmission easier. This is also one of the design distinctions of the Audemars Piguet Millenary, an elliptical watch that harks back to a simpler time when there seemed to be plenty of, well, time.

The one-hand decision also came with a philosophical argument. Without a second hand studiously tracking each passing minute, there is a tendency to slow down and, in turn, appreciate being in the moment.

In this fast-paced world, breaking conventional rules of time display does have its own appeal. The new Millenary Frosted Gold Philosophique builds on this with a case finished in parts in frosted gold, a flourish introduced by Italian jeweller Carolina Bucci that has already appeared in the iconic Royal Oak.

Available in either 18k pink or white gold, the diamond-dust effect of gold makes a lovely contrast against the polished bevels. All Millenary watches come with an open caseback; in this case, it reveals the automatic calibre 3140 with an oscillating weight in shades of brown or blue, depending on the colour of the dimpled dial.