As far as booth is concerned, AP could not have obtained a better piece of real-estate inside the show - the booth faces the main entrance, and the AP logo was right above the inauguration of the SIHH. There were always lively crowds of important people lingering in front of it, and I've sighted our very own Thomas Mao in more than one occasion.
Two AP watchmakers showing guests the inner workings of minute repeater and tourbillon.
Some of the pieces on display inside the booth.
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Press Conference and novelties:
In terms of technical innovations, in a year where break-through technical innovations were few (perhaps due to the global economic concern), the star of the AP lineup was the "ChronAP" - in a large 46mm Jules Audemars case w/ AP's own escapement. It beats at a fast 43200 vibrations per hour, has a cool 3D design, and with the proprietary movement requires no lubrication. The price tag was $266,200 - quite expensive in my humble opinion. But so is everything else in life...=)
Jules Audemars Skeleton Tourbillon Chronograph:
A nice Jules Audemars Jump Hour Minute Repeater.
Jules Audemars Classic Chronograph
Millenary Chronograph:
Another piece that I found really interesting is the diamond-studded Ladies' Millenary Chalcedony Skeleton Tourbillon with openwork mainplate made of an entire piece of carved Chalcedony (a white/slightly blue tinted stone similar to a quartz).
When the AP rep showed it to me, I made a blunder and said "cool, a plate made of plastic! Is that a special type of plastic?" and immediately got a dirty look. I swear it does look like white plastic to the untrained eye. Perhaps it will be more luxurious-looking to make the plate with colored stone...
Some line extensions of the Offshores.
Ladies' Offshore with carbon case.
More ladies's watches and jewels showcased by the beautiful model:
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Finally, as we were walking out, we saw Mr. Oliviero Bottinelli, the CEO of AP in South East Asia, with the Rose Gold Ruben Barrichello 3 on his wrist.
