Ateliers deMonaco Quantieme Perpetual QP EZ Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Mar 14th 2011 at 12:02PM

To really appreciate this watch you need to learn a bit about it. While the basic design of Ateliers deMonaco watches are usually good, this one has some technical innovations that those used to dealing with perpetual calendar watches should really welcome and appreciate. A perpetual calendar is a calendar indicator system in a mechanical watch movement that takes into consideration leap years - and therefore much be adjusted very infrequently (assuming the watch is still operating). The problem is often that they are very complex to adjust (and sometimes to read). Often times a watch will have a number of pushers all over the case (that aren't labeled) or the watch must be sent back to the manufacturer to be adjusted - no joke.

Ateliers deMonaco wanted to make a user friendly perpetual calendar watch that was still a high-end mechanical timepiece in all manners. Using their familiar case style and design they have developed the Quantieme Perpetual QP EZ watch, all based around the QP-EZ automatic movement. The movement is simple, it uses a function selector on the dial to tell you what you are adjusting, and it is all done via the crown and a single built in pusher. Just pull the crown out to its first position, and then turn it to select what you want to adjust. The selection indicator is in the subdial that is also used for telling you what week in the year you are on. Easy right? I was pretty impressed by the manner of operation myself.

The movement features jumping indicator and a safety system designed to prevent damage to the movement while adjusting it. Ateliers deMonaco also designed it to be very accurate by using a silicium balance wheel. They claim 1-4 seconds a day of variation (which is very good for a mechanical watch). On the back of the watch you'll see the dutifully hand-engraved automatic rotor in gold. I must admit to being impressed by this package.

The watch functions include the time, day, date, month, leap year indicator, and week indicator (out of 52 for each year). The information windows are pleasantly arranged and legible. The Quantieme Perpetual QP EZ watch comes in a 43mm wide case that is available 18k gold (looks to be rose/red or white gold), with a titanium core. The complex case is made up of 31 parts. There is more gold on the dial, as well as titanium. The watch comes fitted to an alligator strap.

I think that the watch community will be impressed by this timepiece and recognize its simple good looks and welcome functionality. Price for it isn't obscene either, being 26,800 euros, while the watch is limited to just 88 pieces.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Ateliers deMonaco - Quantieme Perpetual - QP EZ