Audemars Piguet has entered a new era of horological innovation with the unveiling of an intelligent setting device designed exclusively for its 41 mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Developed in partnership with Dubai Future Labs under the Dubai Future Foundation, the groundbreaking tool reimagines how collectors interact with one of the most complex complications in watchmaking. Presented during Dubai Watch Week, the system blends mechanical precision with advanced robotics and artificial intelligence, bringing unprecedented ease to a mechanism traditionally reserved for expert hands.
The ambition behind the project was clear: make the perpetual calendar—long admired yet technically demanding—accessible without compromising its mechanical integrity. Historically, setting a perpetual calendar required intricate knowledge and specialised instruments. Earlier this year, Audemars Piguet simplified the process with Calibres 7138 and 7136, enabling all adjustments through a single crown. The new automated device builds on this breakthrough, ensuring the watch is fully set and wound in a matter of minutes, with total accuracy and no risk of error.
At the heart of the device is a harmonious integration of robotics, computer vision, and machine learning. Once the watch is placed inside and the lid is closed, an internal camera scans the dial, identifying which indications require correction. An AI-trained algorithm interprets the information, guiding a mechanical module that mimics the precision of a master watchmaker’s hand. Every micro-adjustment is executed with exacting care, ensuring the delicate perpetual calendar mechanism remains protected throughout the process.
This intelligent setting device also marks a deeper evolution in the brand’s approach to design. Audemars Piguet collaborated with designer Max Terio to create a silhouette that honours the Manufacture’s heritage while extending its aesthetic universe beyond the wrist. Soft-touch surfaces, polished metallic details, and carefully balanced proportions give the device the tactile refinement of a luxury object, while concealing the complex engineering housed within.
The partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation represents a meeting of two worlds: Swiss watchmaking excellence and the UAE’s pioneering vision for technological advancement. Dubai Future Labs played a critical role in developing the prototype and integrating the full technological architecture, demonstrating how cross-disciplinary collaboration can propel traditional craftsmanship into the future. The project stands as a testament to shared innovation, uniting artisans, engineers, and designers behind a singular goal.
