Audemars Piguet’s New AI Robotic Setting Device

Audemars Piguet has introduced something pretty unexpected for the luxury watch world—an AI-powered robotic setting device. It was created with the Dubai Future Foundation, and it’s basically a “smart watch box” made for the 41mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar models with the new calibre 7138. It sounds high-tech (and it is), but the whole idea is to make things easier, not more complicated.

What is the device?

This isn’t your usual fancy box that just sits on a shelf. It uses robotics, computer vision, and AI to look at your watch, understand the dial, and adjust the complications and indications that need adjustment. Date, day, month, moon phase—it checks all of it on its own. Honestly, it’s like having a tiny watch expert hidden inside the box, just without the lab coat.

How does the system work?

The best part is how simple it is to use. You place the watch inside, close the lid, and that’s basically your job done. Then the device takes over:

• An AI camera scans the dial in real time.
• It figures out where each hand and indicator is sitting.
• Robotic tools start turning the all-in-one crown of the calibre 7138.
• In about five minutes, everything is corrected, and the watch is wound.

Why does this innovation matter?

Perpetual calendar watches are stunning, but they’re also known for being tough to adjust. If the watch stops, setting it again can feel like a risky experiment. One wrong turn and you might end up praying nothing broke. This device removes that whole fear. No more special tools, no more worrying about damaging a luxury movement. It’s great for collectors, and honestly, even better for people who are new to these complicated watches and don’t want to mess things up.

Design, and where this could go next

The device is compact—20cm x 12cm x 15cm—and weighs around 2kg. It was designed with Max Terio, so of course it looks clean and modern, very much in AP’s style. Right now, it only works with the 41mm Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar with calibre 7138. But the way things are going, this feels like just the first step. AI and watchmaking are clearly becoming friends, and more integrations are probably on the way.

And to sum it up

Audemars Piguet’s AI robotic setting device blends old-school Swiss craftsmanship with new-age technology in a way that actually makes sense. It doesn’t feel like a gimmick—it feels like a practical tool that solves a real problem. And if this is the direction luxury watch care is heading, the future looks pretty interesting. Also Read our Latest Blog: Introducing Urwerk And Ulysse Nardin Team Up To Release The UR-Freak