Messages: 2187 Location: New York
Registered: November 2003
Sharing DNA, But Not Identical Twins
Fri, 04 January 2013 08:54
Audemars' great 2120 movement is used in several of the manufacture's watches. As I understand it, the movement was developed in the 1960s in conjunction with three other great houses: Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, and Jaeger LeCoultre. Today, Vacheron uses its version -- the 1120 -- in several great watches, from the simple (like the special platinum version of the Patimony Contemporaine) to the complex (like the Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar).
Like VC, I believe that AP uses the 2120 in both simple and complex watches. It's great for complex watches because, as a beautiful thin caliber, it can be coupled with complications without creating movements that are overly thick. And it is great for "simple" watches because it allows for thin cases, and uncluttered two-hand only dials.
Two of my favorite watches sporting the 2120 are on the simple end of the spectrum, and relatively new in the AP lineup. First is the well-known and much appreciated 40th anniverary edition of the Royal Oak "Jumbo":
Second, in recent years, AP has really stepped up a notch in its Jules Audemars collection, and the resulting Extra Thin is a beautiful watch:
And now, to prove that the two very different watches share a common core, here are shots from the back:
- Bob L.