Vatican Radio, the radio station commissioned by Pius XI to amplify the voice of the Popes around the world, turned 80 years old on 12 February. To commemorate this event, Vatican Radio chose to give Pope Benedict XVI a watch Audemars Piguet which will be presented to him on 30 April by the Director General of Vatican Radio and Director of the Vatican Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi.
The chosen occasion for the gift handover will be the closing of the 17th Radio Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (Ebu), a professional association grouping public service broadcasters operating in Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
The model chosen is a Millenary, whose oval case is inspired by the Colosseum in Rome. The bezel in white gold, like the case, is engraved with the words 'A B XVI - 80th VATICAN RADIO 1931 - 2011'. The dial is lacquered white with Arabic numerals in blue on the outer zone, while the inner zone is satin-finished grey with white gold Roman hour markers. It is combined with a white crocodile strap with a white gold folding clasp.
