Perrelet presents a noteworthy addition to its offerings with the Weekend Sand Dunes A1300/S, a timepiece crafted as an homage to the striking landscapes of the Arabian desert. This model is introduced as a Middle East Limited Edition, with its production carefully capped at just 99 pieces, a detail that will surely appeal to those seeking a degree of rarity in their collection. The watch endeavors to translate the unique atmosphere of the desert into its design, most notably through its distinctively executed dial.
This special edition finds its place within Perrelet's Weekend collection, a line initially launched by the Swiss watchmaker in 2017. The Weekend collection is generally characterized by its understated, classic styling, which lends itself to versatility. Its minimalist design ethos allows for diverse aesthetic interpretations, ranging from traditional color palettes such as silver, black, and blue that offer a refined look, to more contemporary shades like ice blue or green mint that provide a fashionable sensibility. On occasion, this collection has featured dials made from materials like aventurine, whose sparkling nature can suggest a starry sky, adding a touch of preciousness. The Weekend Sand Dunes, however, distinguishes itself by drawing its core inspiration from a specific and evocative natural environment.
Courtesy of Perrelet
The dial of the Weekend Sand Dunes is unquestionably its most compelling feature, serving as a canvas for a miniature portrayal of the Arabian Desert's breathtaking scenery. The entire surface is treated in Pantone 727C, a nuanced, warm, faded light brown that can subtly shift towards a salmon pink hue depending on the ambient light and angle of view. This carefully selected base color supports an embossed pattern of sinuous, curved lines that artfully mimic the soft, undulating forms of golden sand dunes shaped by the wind. This three-dimensional texture provides the dial with an engaging sense of dynamism and depth, creating an intriguing visual narrative that unfolds across its expanse. The gentle wave-like relief gives the impression of a constantly shifting desert landscape, frozen in a moment of time.
The visual experience of the dial is one of subtle complexity. The light plays across the raised and recessed portions of the dune pattern, creating a gentle interplay of highlights and shadows that emphasizes the texture. This meticulous execution of the intricate pattern endows the Weekend Sand Dunes with a sophisticated character, making it a notable piece within the collection. The silvered applied hour indices are presented in Arabic script, a direct nod to the region for which this edition is intended. This commitment to the theme extends to the minutes flange, which also features Arabic markings, and the date display. The date, visible through a neatly cut window at the 3 o'clock position, is also rendered with Arabic numerals, ensuring a cohesive cultural identity for the timepiece. For clear visibility in varying conditions, the hour and minute hands are treated with Super-LumiNova®, a luminescent compound that ensures the time can be read easily in dim environments. A slender central seconds hand glides over the textured surface, completing the time indication with an understated presence.
The inspiration for this unique design, the Arabian Desert, is a vast and potent symbol of unspoiled nature. Covering an immense area of approximately 2,330,000 square kilometers (900,000 square miles), it is the largest desert in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. The skilled designers and craftsmen at Perrelet's Bienne-based facility aimed to capture the essence of this landscape, with its golden sand dunes stretching towards an apparently endless horizon. The successful translation of this imagery onto the confined space of a watch dial speaks to a dedication to detail and artistic interpretation.
Courtesy of Perrelet
Housing this expressive dial is a round stainless steel case, a form that is a mainstay in watchmaking due to its enduring appeal and comfort. The case has a diameter of 39 mm, a versatile dimension that aligns well with the timepiece's classic yet distinct character, and a slim profile of 9.56 mm in thickness, contributing to its wearability. The case architecture employs a tasteful combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces. This differential finishing creates a refined visual interplay, with polished areas catching the light and contrasting with the softer look of the brushed sections, adding a layer of sophistication to the watch's presence.
Practical considerations are also well-addressed in the case design. It offers a water resistance rating of 5 atmospheres (ATM), which translates to approximately 50 meters. This level of protection makes the watch suitable for everyday activities, capable of handling splashes or brief accidental immersion, although it is not designed for aquatic sports like swimming or diving. A sapphire crystal, prized for its exceptional scratch resistance and clarity, protects the intricately patterned dial. The reverse of the watch is equipped with a see-through case back, offering a view into the mechanical heart of the timepiece, the automatic movement that powers it.
The transparent case back serves as more than just an observation window; it also carries thematic elements that echo the dial's design. It is embellished with a tampography print illustrating the desert dunes, created using an overlay of black and the same salmon pink Pantone 727C shade used on the dial. This detail ensures that the desert narrative is consistently presented, whether viewing the watch from the front or the back. Alongside this decorative element, the case back is inscribed with the individual limited edition number (e.g., "01 of 99"), the designation "Middle East Limited Edition," and the model reference number, all of which confirm its status as a special, collectible series.
Courtesy of Perrelet
The watch is paired with a brown calfskin leather strap, carefully chosen to complement the warm tones of the dial and the cool steel of the case. The strap features an embossed alligator pattern, lending it a touch of texture and an air of classic refinement. It is thoughtfully equipped with a quick-release system, a practical feature that allows the owner to change straps easily without needing specialized tools, thereby offering the possibility of customizing the watch's look. The strap secures to the wrist with a stainless steel pin buckle, which is personalized with the
Perrelet logo, a discreet yet recognizable mark of the brand. The strap measures 20 mm at the lugs, a standard size that contributes to the overall balanced proportions of the watch.
Driving the hours, minutes, central seconds, and date functions of the Weekend Sand Dunes is the in-house Perrelet P-321 calibre. This is a mechanical automatic movement, meaning it derives its power from the natural motion of the wearer's wrist, eliminating the need for manual winding when worn regularly. The development of this movement was undertaken entirely within Perrelet's own facilities, a testament to the brand's capabilities as a genuine watch manufacturer. The actual production of the P-321 calibre is handled by Soprod, a sister company within the Festina Group, which also owns Perrelet. This vertical integration grants Perrelet considerable autonomy in the creation and production of its timepieces.
The calibre P-321 operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), a modern standard that contributes to its accuracy. When fully wound, it provides a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, allowing the watch to continue running even when off the wrist for a day and a half. The movement is constructed with 25 jewels, which are synthetic rubies placed at high-friction points to reduce wear and improve efficiency and longevity. It comprises a total of 93 components, each meticulously assembled. The date is displayed via a window at 3 o’clock. The total thickness of the movement, including its oscillating weight, is a mere 3.85 mm, contributing to the watch's relatively slim case profile.
Courtesy of Perrelet
The finishing and engineering of the P-321 movement are visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The mainplate is adorned with circular graining and is rhodium-plated for durability and aesthetic appeal. The bridges feature the traditional Côtes de Genève decoration, a pattern of parallel stripes that is a hallmark of fine Swiss watchmaking. The oscillating weight, which winds the mainspring, is specifically hollowed and decorated with the Perrelet logo, and it is mounted on ball bearings for smooth and efficient winding. To protect the sensitive balance wheel from everyday jolts, the movement incorporates an Incabloc® shock absorption system. Additionally, a fine adjustment device is included, allowing a watchmaker to precisely regulate the movement's rate for optimal timekeeping.
Perrelet's history is long and distinguished, with its origins dating back to 1777 and the pioneering work of Abraham-Louis Perrelet. He is widely recognized for his crucial role in developing one of the first self-winding watch movements, a foundational invention in horology. This spirit of innovation, demonstrated early on with the automatic winding system and other creations like the first pedometer in 1780, has been a guiding principle for the Maison. While the brand has a deep and rich history, its modern focus remains on creating distinctive timepieces with reliable mechanics.
In contemporary times, Perrelet has continued to build upon this legacy. The introduction of the patented Double Rotor system in 1995, featuring an additional rotor on the dial side, became a signature of the brand. A significant step was taken in 2012 with the launch of the in-house calibre P-321, the very movement found in the Weekend Sand Dunes. This marked Perrelet's return to greater independence as a watchmaking manufacture, producing its own movements and thus having greater control over quality and creative development. This capability has allowed for the creation of unique complications and models, such as those within the Turbine collection.
Courtesy of Perrelet
The Perrelet Weekend Sand Dunes A1300/S is a thoughtfully designed timepiece that successfully merges a distinct thematic inspiration with the brand's established watchmaking capabilities. The carefully rendered textured dial, with its specific Pantone color and embossed dune motif, along with the consistent use of Arabic numerals, crafts a compelling visual narrative tailored for a specific audience. It stands as a piece that values aesthetic detail and cultural resonance, backed by a robust Swiss-made automatic movement.
This special edition, reference A1300/S3, carries a recommended retail price of $1,550.00, or CHF 1,490.00. Reflecting its exclusivity as one of only 99 pieces, the Weekend Sand Dunes is slated for availability commencing May 29th, 2025. It will be offered through authorized Perrelet retailers primarily located in the Middle East, making it a particularly noteworthy acquisition for collectors and watch enthusiasts in that region who appreciate its unique design and limited production.
Case: Stainless steel, round shape, 39 mm diameter, 9.56 mm thickness. Polished and brushed finish. Water resistance 5 ATM. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal on dial, mineral glass on case back with tampography depicting desert dunes.
Movement: Perrelet P-321 in-house automatic calibre. 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), 25 jewels, 93 components, 42-hour power reserve. Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, date at 3 o'clock. Movement dimensions: 3.85 mm thickness, 26.20 mm total diameter. Features circular grained mainplate, Côtes de Genève decorated bridges, and decorated oscillating weight. Includes Incabloc® shock absorbers.
Dial: Sand color (Pantone 727C) with embossed dune pattern. Silvered applied Arabic hour indices and Arabic numerals on minutes flange. Hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova®. Date window at 3 o’clock with Arabic numerals.
Strap: Brown calfskin leather with alligator motif, 20 mm width. Equipped with quick-release system. Stainless steel pin buckle personalized with Perrelet logo.
Price: $1,550.00 / CHF 1,490.00
Reference Number: A1300/S3
Notes: Middle East Limited Edition of 99 pieces. Features a unique dial inspired by Arabian desert sand dunes and a specially decorated case back. Availability from May 29th, 2025.