SWA Watch Talk : Audemars Piguet's Martin Wehrli is in town

[watchculture]

The Sincere Watch Academy series of talks continues and this time with Audemars Piguet. Collectors were delighted to have Martin Wehrli, an expert in his field and someone who knows every detail about AP’s history and the brand’s development.



The AP team in Singapore: Oliviero Bottinelli, Michael Dong, Pauline Tan, Lena Wong






Duncan chatting with Oliviero & Martin



Patrick welcomed the guests..



Martin Wehrli the “walking encyclopedia” in AP



Massi and Francesca Landi





nice to meet you Edwin


Where in all begin in 1875 and the building is still there.



Some of AP’s customers in the early days.



The past and present






Hi Tech CNC lathes used in machining the parts..note the Vickers hardness of the various materials use in watchcases. Carbon Fiber at an amazing hardness of 620 on the Vickers scale, more on that later



Immaculate anglage finishes of the bridges



Martin explained the assembly of AP’s Tourbillon cage



AP’s prototype escapement



having a very tight clearance of 50 microns vs the 0.4mm in standard pallets. Fewer impulse equal less wear on standard material used.



this escapement will be used in the new Cal 3120 movements.



interesting double hairspring design that is mounted at 180 degrees to each other which will be able to provide better balance, regulation and isochronism………..all these development so that you have a more accurate watch



Martin answers questions from guests after his talk.


Part2 : The production of the Carbon Fibre Case


Made with kilometers of carbon fibres compressed together under extremely high pressure in a mould.



The mould….note how much fibre were used















At a super high 80000rpm, conventional CNC machines cannot provide for this requirement. AP developed a high speed motor attached to the arbor of the machine to drive the cutter during this milling process. I am totally impressed



Final inpection of the case using CMM, the probe will pick up all the different points on the case profile and the measurement fed into the computer for analysis.


There you have it……the final product




Samples were passed around for viewing..........

























I caught some wrist shots and watches for your viewing pleasure..








The prototype movement.





















End of days..


or how about the T3

Oh, I believe I missed a Team Alinghi on my bro's wrist

Thanks for looking guys

[Stefano]

Too bad I couldn't make it, looks like a great talk.

Thanks for the pics Zach!

[eddiesng]

but unfortunately, it was not to be.

Thanks for the report Zach.

And Massi, I can recognise the Anonimo...

[Firenze]

The talk was very interesting. Great wrist shots Zach! Thanks Eddie!

Massi

[GH1]

Thanks Zach for the report . A pity that I missed the talk . Would have loved to handle the carbon samples .


George

[zephyr49]

Thanks for the detailed report bro. Too bad I had to miss this one at the last minute, would've been nice to learn about the new escapements from AP.

Lionel

[Russell Cheong]

Thanks for the wonderful and detail report!

[jimsbk]

Thanks Zach for sharing the detailed report of the evening. Too bad I could not register to attend and request went unanswered. I guess they must be overwhelmed by too many enthusiasts. Cheers, Jim

[Horolographer]

[Horolographer]

[watchculture]

Thanks for your pics Harry!

[watchculture]

Thank you friends. I'm glad you enjoyed the report

[ThisFlyGuy]

wow, i love those AP watches....

that carbon bezel and housing look nice

[take5]

Thanks for the great report and photos! I love the shape of the bridges in the prototype movement!

[Dirk]

Thanks, Zach - your report recalls the event vividly.

[Dirk]

Stunning photography, as we have come to expect ...

thanks, Harry