For John Mayer, timing is everything. Whether it’s the note behind the beat on global hits like Waiting on the world to change and Gravity, or the oscillation of a balance wheel in a Swiss watch movement, the musician has spent a lifetime obsessing over the precise division of moments. But Mayer is no longer just a collector on the sidelines of the horological world – in 2024 he stepped into the role of “Creative Conduit” for Audemars Piguet.
At Audemars Piguet’s House Of Wonders during the recent Dubai Watch Week, Mayer joined us to discuss his AP ‘Heroes’—the timepieces that define his philosophy as a collector, a musician, and the brand’s Creative Conduit.
HERO #1: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie in Black Ceramic
What is your first AP ‘Hero’ watch?
I love the Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie, a chiming watch made from black ceramic and paired with a black rubber strap.
Why this watch?
Every time I put it on , it feels like the first time I’ve taken it out of the box. Generally, that ‘new watch’ feeling fades with most pieces – and then you have to go and buy a new one to get that feeling back! But I’m amazed that this one seems to be able to regenerate its sense of ‘newness’.
Does the fact that it is a chiming watch appeal to you because you are a musician?
There is certainly a musician element to it. The design includes a gong attached to a titanium plate on the back of the watch, which essentially creates a soundboard like an acoustic guitar. But what I love about it most is the craftsmanship. It’s one of the most difficult single complications you can have in a watch, and there are very few people who can build these. Not only does this watch have such a clear, loud chime, but I love its tonality. The bings and bongs of AP’s Minute Repeaters just sound more upbeat and happier than those of other watchmakers.
How often do you push the chime button?
This might sound ridiculous, and make me sound vulnerable, but honestly, I play it when I want to remind myself to feel gratitude . If I’m having a bad day, or find myself being grumpy over some nonsense, that’s when I push it. You hit the Minute Repeater and it starts chiming, and it kind of puts things in perspective. I think, John, you’re one of very few people in the world whose watch plays a tune to tell you the time. It’s a reminder that my life is good – just get over yourself and appreciate it!
HERO #2: Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin (RD#3)
Tell us your second AP ‘Hero’, and why you’re selecting it…
It would be the Royal Oak RD#3 “Jumbo” Tourbillon. It was the first time AP put a tourbillon in a 39mm Royal Oak “Jumbo” case – which means the tourbillon mechanism had to be completely redesigned to fit it. It’s a pretty astonishing feat, like a beautiful classic car reworked to house a supercar engine under the hood.
Do you prefer the smaller, slimmer dimensions of the Royal Oak “Jumbo”?
Like songs, every watch tells a different story. The Royal Oak story is one of sleekness and sportiness that looks and feels modern on the outside, but inside it’s filled with fascinating callbacks to history and heritage. For me, the dimensions of the “Jumbo” make it the quintessential canvas for the Royal Oak’s evolution, and the RD#3 perfectly demonstrates that key aspect of Audemars Piguet.
HERO #3: Royal Oak 120th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar
Let’s have your third and final ‘Hero’ timepiece…
We’re going vintage for this one: the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 120th Anniversary Edition.
Why this piece?
I feel that AP is going through a real discovery moment right now. As the brand celebrates its 150th anniversary, its story has been so well told that more and more people are starting to dig deeper into its history. That’s the journey of all watch collectors, myself included – which is why I like this watch. It wasn’t too long ago that I discovered that AP released a Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in pink gold for its 120th anniversary back in 1995. It has so many little design elements that I like and the pink gold has this champagne-like tone that looks incredible. I think we’re entering an era where wider perceptions are changing, and people are looking to vintage watches – especially limited-edition APs – to differentiate themselves.
Final question: if you could travel back 150 years to show Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet only one of the three ‘Hero’ watches, which would you bring?
I’d take the Royal Oak Minute Repeater Supersonnerie, because that’s the most innovation I could show in just one watch. They’d be fascinated by the chiming mechanism – mainly how loud it is – but by the use of ceramic for the case, and a watch strap made from natural rubber.
What would be even more fascinating is imagining the impact if I left the watch with them – how that might change the present day once I warped back…