Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet
Who knows more about luxury and fashion than famous athletes, music superstars, and A-list celebrities? It comes as no surprise that Tom Cruise, Serena Williams, Lebron James, John Mayer, and countless others have been spotted wearing AP watches. This ultra-luxury watch brand has also been mentioned in one of Jay-Z's popular songs, which has contributed to its immortalization. Audemars Piguet is undeniably one of the most coveted and esteemed luxury watch brands on the market today, given its notoriety and prestige.
A Brief Overview of the History of Audemars Piguet Watches
Audemars Piguet, or AP, was founded in 1875 in the small mountain town of Le Brassus, in the heart of the Vallée de Joux. The brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings. At the time, this region was renowned for its farming-friendly hills. During the harsh winter months, however, the land lay fallow, and villagers turned to watchmaking as a source of income, which was made possible by the iron oxide found on the fertile soil. Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules Louis Audemars developed the brand that is now synonymous with elegance and wealth, despite the fact that many villagers of this region adopted this profession. Audemars Piguet is still privately owned by the founding family as of the present day.
Audemars Piguet Models
Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'Jumbo' Extra Thin 15202ST.OO.1240ST.01 (2021)
The Royal Oak, introduced in 1972 and designed by the renowned Gérald Genta, is one of the most well-known AP watch models. These watches have an octagonal bezel, a "tapisserie" dial, and a band that is incorporated. Examine well-known references such as 15202 and 15400.
Royal Oak Offshore
The Royal Oak Offshore, introduced in 1993 as an anniversary piece, was a sportier variant of the original Royal Oak. This collection is comprised of divers' watches and chronographs with unique colors and materials.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT 26589IO.OO.D002CA.01
Introducing the magnificent Royal Oak Concept, an amazing timepiece that exemplifies haute horlogerie to perfection. This luxury watch from the famed Audemars Piguet brand has attracted watch aficionados and collectors worldwide with its exquisite design and ingenious craftsmanship. The Royal Oak Concept collection exemplifies the Swiss watchmaking tradition with its avant-garde aesthetics and cutting-edge materials. This exquisite timepiece is the pinnacle of sophistication and craftsmanship. Explore our exhaustive guide to the Royal Oak Concept and learn why it remains an unrivaled symbol in the world of luxury timepieces.
Millenary
Audemars Piguet Millenary Escape Manual Wind Rose Gold 26091OR.OO.D803CR.01
The Millenary collection, introduced in 1995, combines watchmaking art and design in a singular play on perspective and equilibrium. The uncommon oval shape of these remarkable wats provides a three-dimensional glimpse of the caliber.
Code 11.59
Audemars Piguet Selfwinding 'Code 11.59' Smoked Purple Dial 15210OR.OO.A616CR.01
Code 11.59 was introduced in 2019 and is regarded as one of the brand's most significant introductions since the Royal Oak. Discover this modern and accurate collection with thirteen references, six models, and three new in-house calibers.
Jules Audemars
The refined and artistic Jules Audemars collection of elegant AP dress watches honors the brand's two founders.
Audemars Piguet Materials & Finishes
Tapisserie Dials
The Royal Oak collection features a decorative guilloché pattern on the watch dials, a skill no longer taught in horology school. Petite tapisserie appears on the ultra-thin Royal Oak models, Grande on the self-winding and quartz Royal Oak models, and Méga on the Offshore collection.
Black Ceramic
In 2017, Audemars Piguet introduced black ceramic to its Royal Oak collection. This unique substance consists of zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide. Additionally, some Offshore versions now include black ceramic.
Frosted Gold
Frosted Gold Jewelry designer Carolina Bucci collaborated with Audemars Piguet to make the 18-karat pink Frosted Gold Royal Oak models' frosted gold finishing. AP added this case finish to select Millenary models later on.
Aventurine
Aventurine glass is produced by adding black copper oxide and cobalt during the cooling phase, which produces a constellation of mineral particles and a blue hue. This exquisite material is featured on the dials of Millenary collection watches.
AP Watch Complications
Perpetual Calendar
The perpetual calendar movement of AP uses mechanical memory to trace time cycles of 48 months. It adjusts the number of days in February to account for the varying number of days in each month. This amazing mechanism only requires manual adjustment once every century.
Tourbillon
Audemars Piguet produced the first self-winding tourbillon wristwatch in 1986. The tourbillon requires 60 seconds to complete a full rotation while compensating for the earth's gravity.
Minute Repeater
Minute Repeater AP created thirty-five minute repeater wristwatches between 1892 and 1992, and presently produces fewer than forty minute repeaters annually. Their latest Grande Sonnerie movement, Calibre 2956, comprises 498 components. This style was presented in the Code 11.59 collection.
Chronograph
Between the 1930s and the 1950s, only 307 Audemars Piguet vintage chronograph wristwatches were produced. In 2015, AP introduced the Laptimer, which features a single chronograph with flyback function that drives two central sweep-seconds hands that are controlled by three push-pieces.
FAQ
1. What is the history of Audemars Piguet watches?
Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet founded the renowned Swiss luxury watch company Audemars Piguet in 1875. The business has a long history of producing extraordinary watches that are renowned for their beautiful craftsmanship and technical ingenuity. One of the oldest family-run watch companies in the world, Audemars Piguet upholds its dedication to traditional watchmaking methods while pushing the envelope with cutting-edge designs.
2. What makes Audemars Piguet watches so expensive?
The price of Audemars Piguet watches is high for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the company is committed to creating timepieces of the highest caliber, frequently using priceless materials like gold and platinum. Their timepieces have complicated movements made by extremely talented watchmakers and are painstakingly hand-finished. The fact that Audemars Piguet has a small production volume further contributes to the exclusivity and value of its watches.
3. How do I authenticate an Audemars Piguet watch?
It is advised to speak with a trustworthy watch dealer or professional who specializes in luxury watches in order to authenticate an Audemars Piguet timepiece. To confirm its authenticity, they will closely inspect the watch's serial number, movement, case, and other distinguishing characteristics. Unique trademarks, engravings, and distinctive design aspects of Audemars Piguet timepieces can be compared to official records and databases to confirm their authenticity.
4. What are the most popular Audemars Piguet watch models?
A variety of renowned and highly desired watch models are available from Audemars Piguet. The Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, Royal Oak Concept, and the Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin are a few of the most well-known models. These models, which have octagonal casings, exposed screws, and elaborate dials, are renowned for their daring and unusual designs.
5. How often should I service my Audemars Piguet watch?
Depending on usage and the manufacturer's recommendations, it is normally advised to have your Audemars Piguet watch serviced every 3 to 5 years. Regular maintenance enables the detection and correction of any potential problems as well as ensuring the accuracy and durability of the watch. To preserve the watch's functionality and guarantee, servicing must be carried out by a licensed Audemars Piguet service center or authorized watchmaker.
6. Can I buy an Audemars Piguet watch online?
Yes, reputable luxury watch websites and authorized dealers offer Audemars Piguet watches for sale online. To ensure authenticity and the best possible customer experience, it is crucial to take caution while purchasing Audemars Piguet watches because of their high value and reputation. Before making a purchase, check the seller's reputation, authenticity guarantees.
7. Are Audemars Piguet watches a good investment?
There is a good reputation for Audemars Piguet watches as reliable investments. Particularly limited editions and vintage watches have seen an increase in value over time. It's crucial to remember that investing in watches should be done carefully because the market might change and results can differ from person to person.
8. How can I tell if an Audemars Piguet watch is genuine?
A close inspection of several factors is necessary to confirm the authenticity of an Audemars Piguet watch. Verifying the watch's serial number and associated paperwork, looking at the movement's quality and finishing, looking at the engravings and hallmarks, and contrasting the overall design and craftsmanship with known genuine specimens are some of the key markers of authenticity. For a thorough authentication procedure, it is advised to speak with a qualified watch expert or authorized dealer.
9. What is the warranty on Audemars Piguet watches?
The warranty on timepieces sold by Audemars Piguet normally lasts for three years after the date of purchase. The guarantee covers both production flaws and problems that could occur with regular use. It does not, however, cover harm brought on by overuse, accidents, or illegal repairs. It is necessary to register the watch with Audemars Piguet or an authorized dealer at the time of purchase in order to activate the warranty.
10. How can I care for and maintain my Audemars Piguet watch?
It is advised to keep your Audemars Piguet watch away from severe temperatures, magnetic fields, and powerful shocks in order to maintain and care for it. Use a soft cloth, mild soap, or water to regularly clean the watch to get rid of gunk. Avoid contact with water while engaging in activities that are not compatible with the watch's stated water resistance grade to further assure the watch's water resistance. To ensure the performance and longevity of the watch, consult a qualified Audemars Piguet service center or authorized watchmaker for servicing and maintenance in accordance with the suggested intervals.
