Are you ready for your Audemars Piguet history lesson? It’s a fascinating story of expansion, success, and iconic watch designs. Let’s delve in!
Few companies in the world have impacted the watch industry in the way that Audemars Piguet has. It has a very memorable motto that sticks in one’s memory. “To Break the Rules, You Must First Master Them”.
The motto couldn’t be more true, especially when you appreciate all the facts within this Audemars Piguet history article.
Audemars Piguet began developing parts for watches before venturing into crafting its exquisite timepieces. The brand bears a notable connection between its legacy and its workmanship. Both have traveled along with one another side-by-side.
If you enjoyed reading the history of Cartier watches, you’ll love this complete Audemars Piguet history guide.
To understand how the rich history of Audemars Piguet rolled out, we need to begin at the beginning.
Table of Contents
What Is Audemars Piguet?
What better way to begin outlining the history of Audemars Piguet than with a good brand intro? Audemars Piguet is one of the most revered luxury watch manufacturers in the world.
The Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore are two of the brand’s most iconic models. As one of the oldest companies in the watchmaking industry, it forms part of the “Big Three”. It sits alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
Audemars Piguet (also known as AP for short) is one of the last manufacturers in the industry to remain in family hands.
While its iconic sports watch designs comprise simple three-handers and chronographs, the company also produces some more complex models.
Take, for example, its intricate perpetual calendars and superior minute repeaters. The brand executes both to the highest caliber, reflecting their high price point.
There are many reasons why watch connoisseurs find Audemars Piguet such a respectable brand of watch to collect. Some reasons to invest include the brand’s exceptional in-house movements Others adore the iconic look of the Royal Oak design.
Most of all, however, Audemars Piguet watches communicate craftsmanship of an exceptional standard.
If you aren’t familiar already, here are some of the company’s most popular models in chronological order.
The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak broke convention in 1972 with a revolutionary design innovated by the legend Gerald Genta. Without realizing it, the brand ushered in a new era of luxury watches.
The Royal Oak’s octagonal bezel, resembling a ship’s porthole, featured eight hexagonal screws and an integrated bracelet. These steel sports watches were products of the same talented watch designer who conceptualized the Patek Philippe Nautilus.
Suffice it to say, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches are highly desirable. Enthusiasts consider them a grail watch, selling them for extortionate prices on the pre-owned market.
Following the Royal Oak’s success, Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak Concept in 2002 — a tourbillon-only series.
The Jules Audemars
If you’re in the market for complicated dress watches, the Jules Audemars collection is where we’d recommend starting your search. The collection launched in 1989 and was named after its company founders.
The simplest of designs start with small second counters. More complex models include tourbillons, moon phase displays, and chimes. As the brand’s thinnest wristwatches, their depths of just 6.7mm, in some examples, are perfect for the office.
The Royal Oak Offshore
Released in 1993, you can consider the Royal Oak Offshore an extended family member of the original Royal Oak. These much weightier designs are bolder, chunkier, and larger.
Earlier models measured a broad 48mm, while younger members measured between 37mm and 45mm.
Most Royal Oak Offshore watches are chronograph complications except for the Diver iteration.
Today, Royal Oak Offshore watches are just as popular as their ancestors, with models offered in a range of designs. These include diamond-studded models for women and cases in gold, ceramic, platinum, and titanium.
The Millenary
Decentralized dials and striking oval-shaped cases define the Millenary watch collection by Audemars Piguet. The series began back in 1995 with some rather large diameters of 47mm!
Since then, the collection has shrunk down to a more manageable diameter of 39.5mm. Either way, these masterpieces are true works of art with beautifully decorated movements that match their elaborate dials perfectly.
The Code 11.59
Launched in 2019, Audemars Piguet’s Code 11.59 watches look back to some of the brand’s historic designs. That’s why they feature casebacks and bezels that resemble models from the 1930s and 1940s. Their case profiles, however, are a clear nod to the octagonal shape of the iconic Royal Oak.
Skeletonized lugs, raised dial edges, and narrow indices are also common features of the brand’s Code 11.59 watches. Flying tourbillons, flyback chronographs, and minute repeaters feature in this series.
You can also choose between white gold, rose gold, or combination models in gold and black ceramic. Each watch from the series measures 41mm and features a state-of-the-art movement.
Where Is Audemars Piguet From?
Picture the following. Babbling streams and vast lakes of water against a backdrop of luscious green forest, and Audemars Piguet is overlooking it all.
The vibrant views afforded by the Vallee de Joux are not just the birthplace of this famed watch manufacturer. It also serves as inspiration for the complex instruments born there.
This cradle of luxury watchmaking is where Audemars Piguet is from.
It has a wild landscape that has become synonymous with Haute Horlogerie. The craft has become the region’s DNA. The awe-inspiring location, just north of Geneva, became a hub for horological craftsmanship at the end of the 18th century.
Small, dark dwellings turned into ateliers over the winter months. Farmers could turn their attention to this craft while work was slow. Wheels, springs, bridges, and other watch parts, hand-assembled, forged a close network of craftsmen in this region.
Before long, the brand was producing some of the most complicated watches in history. Continuing this tradition was Audemars Piguet, who laid down the foundations of the company in 1875.
Ever since then, the brand has been pushing itself to unknown limits, manufacturing with a very forward-thinking spirit.
Who Was the Audemars Piguet Founder?
As we continue with our Audemars Piguet history lesson, it makes sense to talk about the brand’s founders. As mentioned, the prestigious company that birthed the iconic Royal Oak watch arrived in 1875. But who was the Audemars Piguet founder?
At the time of the brand’s birth, Jules Louis Audemars (1851–1918) and Edward Auguste Piguet (1853–1919) were two young watchmakers. Both lived in the village of Le Brassus. Both were incredibly ambitious, too.
Through sheer belief in the watchmaking traditions that had forged their reputation thus far, both set upon crafting movements. At first, the brand sold these parts to companies in Geneva. But before long, it was producing watches of its own.
In-house complications made at Audemars Piguet began powering chronographs, chiming watches, and astronomical timepieces. To this day, the company still operates in the exact location where both founders set up business. The brand’s headquarters sit beside the original workshop, which opened in 1868.
The Growth of Audemars Piguet
The launch of the Royal Oak watch design in the 1970s caused the manufacturer to grow significantly. Before that point, the company had employed no more than 30 craftsmen and artisans.
Due to the success of one of the world’s most iconic luxury sports watches, all that was about to change.
Audemars Piguet grew, and so did its workforce (to 100 watchmakers). To provide a little perspective, the brand now comprises over 2000 employees.
Several Le Brassus sites, not to mention Le Locle and Le Meyrin locations, also arrived.
Let’s not forget the biggest of all, however, the Manufacture des Forges. It’s the atelier where expert watchmakers and skilled craftsmen come together to create some of the company’s latest innovations.
Who Owns Audemars Piguet?
One of the main questions you may have wondered is; “Who owns Audemars Piguet”? To this day, the brand is still in the hands of the founding families. This aspect alone goes some way to explaining why the manufacturer remains so respected.
Jasmine Audemars and Oliver Audemars, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, were both born into the watchmaking family. Their commitment to continue the vision of their grandparents is a driving force for the brand.
It is one of the many reasons why Audemars Piguet is one of the few very special watchmakers out there. It has kept its family heritage close to its heart and is the only one to remain at its original birthplace.
Conclusion
Audemars Piguet is still going strong today. It continues to riff off its most popular models like the Royal Oak and Royal Oak offshore. Likewise, other models, such as the Royal Oak Concept and Millenary, continue to do well.
The complete Audemars Piguet history is still evolving and expanding, just like time itself. Whether you’re an ardent fan or just love the story of this Maison, its legacy will long outlive other brands.
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