Two years after initiating a partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is happy to unveil an intelligent watch box that automatically sets and winds the brand’s latest 41 mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Co-developed by Dubai Future Labs, DFF’s robotics and applied research initiative, this project exemplifies how cross-disciplinary collaboration can redefine the boundaries of traditional watchmaking and open new avenues across the industry. This revolutionary tool seamlessly combines mechanical precision, robotics and artificial intelligence with a refined design, marking a new initiative in the brand’s commitment to making complications more user-friendly and accessible. The device will be presented for the first time during Dubai Watch Week.

The setting box was developed with a clear ambition: to place the user at the heart of the experience by rethinking the way complications are adjusted. In line with Audemars Piguet’s long-lasting commitment to challenging conventions and going the extra mile, this device brings together technical innovation with design to simplify the experience with complicated mechanisms.

Perpetual calendars have long been admired for their complexity yet often require advanced watchmaking knowledge and specialised tools to be set. Earlier this year, the introduction of Calibres 7138 and 7136 marked a turning point – enabling all corrections via the crown and placing ergonomics at the forefront of innovation. Audemars Piguet’s new device now builds on this breakthrough, offering an automated solution that sets and winds the perpetual calendar movement with precision and care, making a once technical task intuitive and clear.

By making complications more user-friendly, the brand continues to open the doors of Haute Horlogerie to a broader audience. The intelligent watch box embodies this approach, offering a simple and functional solution that bridges horological mastery with state-of-the-art technology and artificial intelligence.

Combining mechanical engineering with robotics, computing vision and AI, the setting device is designed to automatically adjust the Manufacture’s latest 41 mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar watches equipped with Calibre 7138. It embraces the continuous tension between tradition and innovation, opening the door to new technological possibilities while perpetuating the passion for craftsmanship that defines Haute Horlogerie.

Upon placing the Perpetual Calendar inside the box with the lid closed, the fully automated setting process begins. In approximately five minutes, the system identifies which calendar indications require adjustment and performs the corrections without the need for user intervention. This operation is made possible by a combination of technologies working in harmony:

A mechanical module replicates the precision and gesture of the human hand, engaging with the wristwatch’s “all-in-one” crown and ensuring each adjustment is made safely and precisely. An electronic module ensures communication between the mechanical and computer vision systems. Its compact architecture manages data flow and operational commands within a confined space, preserving the elegance of the tool while supporting its technical complexity. A vision module, a small camera housed discreetly within the lid, captures the configuration of the dial’s perpetual calendar indications, including the position of the hands. This visual data is analysed in real-time through an AI machine learning-algorithm trained on a wide range of different dial configurations, allowing the device to adapt to each watch individually. Finally, a dedicated software orchestrates the entire operation. It coordinates the mechanical movements based on the data received from the camera, while also managing Bluetooth connectivity, error detection and feedback communication.

Audemars Piguet has partnered with the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) – an entity mandated to drive innovation through foresight – to push the boundaries of horological tradition and take the watchmaking industry to new heights. This collaboration was instrumental in bringing to life an innovation designed to elevate the experience of the Manufacture’s clients, an ambition made possible by drawing on DFF’s expertise and a shared commitment to building strong relationships across industries.

Initiated in 2023, the project quickly evolved into a close, cross-disciplinary partnership, bringing together traditional watchmaking, advanced engineering and design. While Audemars Piguet provided horological expertise and vision, Dubai Future Labs (DFL) – the Foundation’s applied research and robotics initiative – led the development of a prototype, designing and integrating the full technological architecture. By working hand in hand, this collaboration made it possible to combine the Manufacture’s high standards of quality and precision with the DFF’s distinctive approach to innovation.

To bring this vision to life, Audemars Piguet has relied on a network of trusted partners, each contributing to different stages of development. While DFL led the prototyping and technological integration, the Manufacture entrusted the overall design and aesthetic codes to Max Terio (Eight Inc.), who was selected for his extensive creativity and alignment with the brand’s vision.



This revolutionary assistant introduces a new category of object in the watchmaking industry – one that extends the brand’s design language beyond the wrist, while remaining deeply rooted in its heritage. The setting box was created in dialogue with in-house design teams to ensure it faithfully reflects the Manufacture’s aesthetic codes and meets its high standards of excellence.

Its silhouette draws from Audemars Piguet’s culture and environment to reflect a rich legacy of geometric exploration. Its lines capture a convergence of robustness, harmony and elegance, while premium materials were selected for their tactile and visual qualities – from soft-touch surfaces that convey warmth and refinement, to polished metal accents that provide contrast and reliability. “Every proportion was considered to feel intuitive, with each detail enhancing the object’s visual harmony, ergonomics and tactile comfort,” shares designer Max Terio.

A direct continuation of the Manufacture’s design philosophy, where form follows function and craftsmanship is expressed through precision, this unprecedented device blurs the lines between technological device, artistic creation and mechanical tool.




Functions
Automated setting and winding of perpetual calendar movements.

Case material
Soft-touch flanks with polished metallic details and buttons.

Device specifications
Total length: 20 cm
Total width: 12 cm
Total height: 15 cm
Total weight: ~ 2 kg
Operation time: ~ 5 minutes


Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Based in Le Brassus since 1875, the company has nurtured generations of talented craftspeople who have continuously developed new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, Audemars Piguet has created numerous masterpieces, testament to the Manufacture’s ancestral savoir-faire and forward-thinking spirit. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible and building bridges between different creative worlds, Audemars Piguet has been able to explore new horizons and build an inspired community. The Beat Goes On.


Dubai Future Foundation is a government entity established in 2016 to shape Dubai’s future through strategic foresight. DFF builds a cohesive innovation ecosystem encompassing accelerator programs, incubators, labs, sandbox environments, and knowledge platforms — aiming to make Dubai one of the world’s foremost future-ready cities. Key initiatives include the iconic Museum of the Future, Dubai Future Accelerators, Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Dubai Future Labs. Through public and private sectors partnerships, DFF focuses on three priority areas — the future of sectors, society, and government — by driving innovation across industries, advancing quality of life through human-centric technologies, and reimagining regulatory models.


With over two decades of design excellence, Max Terio is a Red Dot Award-winning creative designer known for pushing the boundaries of innovation. He has collaborated with some of the world’s most influential brands, creating transformative, human-cantered experiences across industries from aviation and mobility to healthcare, hospitality and luxury accessories. A true global citizen, Max’s expertise spans a broad range of design disciplines - Industrial, Packaging, Interior, Brand Identity, and Jewellery. His work transcends traditional design, constantly evolving to shape the future and deliver exceptional business outcomes. With an unwavering commitment to detail and excellence, Max crafts designs that not only inspire but drive results.