It takes a team of skilled engineers to design, decorate, finish, and test an Audemars Piguet watch. As such, their pieces are highly sought after and expensive.
AP sits at the top of the luxury watch industry alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. Their patrons include athletes, celebrities, and artists.
One of the biggest brands
Audemars Piguet, or AP to watch fans, is considered one of the Big Three of Swiss watchmaking along with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. The brand has an illustrious history and is still family-owned to this day. It also has a number of high-profile patrons, from athletes like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams to rapper Jay-Z. It is no wonder that the brand has a strong reputation in the industry.
The company’s earliest watches were made of precious metals and had very elaborate designs. Over the years, however, Audemars Piguet began to produce more sporty watches that were simpler in design but still pushed the boundaries of innovation. These watches were called Royal Oaks, and they had an octagonal bezel and bracelet. They were designed for athletes and those who wanted a durable and versatile watch that would withstand extreme conditions.
After the quartz crisis of the 1970s, a new generation of Audemars Piguet customers emerged who preferred a more modern look. The company responded by introducing the Royal Oak Offshore, a sportier version of the Royal Oak. It had a thicker case, rubber strap, and higher water resistance. This model was a huge success and has remained in production to this day.
In the 1990s, Audemars Piguet continued to push the boundaries of horology with some truly innovative timepieces. The company introduced a number of unique complications, including the Star Wheel Wandering Hours ref. 25720, a nod to the 17th-century wandering hour complications. These intricate watches were a major hit with watch enthusiasts, and they helped to revive the company’s reputation. The company continues to innovate and introduce new models today.
Luxury watch brand
Audemars Piguet is one of the world’s most famous luxury watch brands. It is a family-owned company that has been making watches since 1875. The brand is based in Le Brassus, Switzerland, which is the heart of Swiss watchmaking. It is known for its innovative designs and unique watches. It is also a leader in the development of modern sports watches.
The company was founded by childhood friends Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. The pair worked together to create mechanical timepieces. They created a series of remarkable innovations that challenged the limits of watchmaking. One of their most popular creations was the Royal Oak, a stainless steel sports watch that became a trendsetter in the industry. The watch was designed by Gerald Genta and was the first of its kind to use an octagonal case. It was also the first watch to use a special crown at 5 o’clock to control functions.
Today, the company continues to push the limits of watchmaking with groundbreaking innovations and designs. The company’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship has helped it maintain its reputation as a top luxury watchmaker. Its products are highly sought after by celebrities, including musicians, athletes, and business executives.
Unlike other watchmakers, Audemars Piguet prefers to limit its production. The company has a smaller workforce than its competitors and is focused on building its brand and preserving its heritage. It is a company that has always put quality and craftsmanship ahead of revenue growth.
Despite its limited output, the Audemars Piguet name has become synonymous with excellence in watchmaking. The company is well-known for its intricate and innovative designs, and its timepieces are coveted by collectors around the world. The company’s designs have influenced other watchmakers, and its products are considered classics in the horological industry.
Sports watches
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most popular luxury sports watches on the market. Its design and unique construction make it stand out from other brands. It also has a long history and is a great example of how Audemars Piguet is constantly innovating. The company has been around for over 150 years and is still family-owned. It has always put quality and craftsmanship above revenue growth. In addition, it has strict production limits and uses rare materials to make its timepieces.
The Royal Oak was created to address a demand for more versatile watches that could be worn during business meetings, sailing, and in other social situations. It was designed by Gerald Genta and premiered at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1972. It was a bold and innovative design that set the tone for future sports watches and other luxury models. Its stainless steel construction and integrated bracelet made it a groundbreaking watch for its time.
Today, the brand continues to push the boundaries of watchmaking with new innovations and technologies. The company has a long list of awards and accolades, including a prestigious Royal Horological Society award for its work on perpetual calendars and chronographs. It has also pioneered techniques like the Florentine technique, which is a method for beating gold into a smooth finish.
Audemars Piguet’s focus on artisanship and quality is also what makes it more expensive than many other brands. Its watches are crafted by hand and often take up to two weeks to complete. They are incredibly durable, which means that they can be passed down from generation to generation. This makes them more desirable than other watches, which typically only last a few decades.
Innovative watches
The Audemars Piguet brand is known for its incredible complexity and innovative watches that are designed to last. The company uses only the finest materials and meticulous craftsmanship to produce their timepieces. Because of this, these luxury Swiss watches are expensive. But, if you are looking for the best watch on the market, an Audemars Piguet is definitely worth the price.
Several factors keep the number of watches produced by Audemars Piguet low. First, the brand’s strict quality controls ensure that each piece is made to exacting standards. Additionally, the company uses unique cases and movements to create its watches. This helps to prevent re-use of parts and improves the overall quality of the watch.
In addition to its impeccable craftsmanship, Audemars Piguet has a rich history of innovation and is considered one of the most respected brands in the world. It was among the first to release a wristwatch that could function with both grande and petite sonnerie, as well as a chronograph, perpetual calendar, and deadbeat seconds. Moreover, it was the first to use a double-ended escapement and the first to introduce a minute repeater in a pocket watch.
In recent years, the demand for AP watches has increased dramatically. During the pandemic, young collectors were drawn into the world of luxury watches, coveting rare pieces worn by athletes and celebrities on social media. This influx of new buyers has boosted the growth of the industry. The company is continuing to invest in the development of new technology and innovation, as well as building a strong retail presence around the world. In addition, it has recently expanded its production site in Le Locle and tripled its floor space.
Iconic watch brand
The Audemars Piguet brand is known for its complicated watches and has long been a staple of the luxury watch market. Their Royal Oak watches are among the most iconic in the industry, with a design that perfectly blends modern and vintage aesthetics. Their timepieces are often seen on the wrists of celebrities and sports stars. The brand is also known for its high-quality movements and intricately designed cases.
The story of AP began in 1875 when Audemars and Piguet started their independent businesses. Audemars created complicated watch movements that were finished and fitted into other manufacturers’ cases, while Piguet performed the final regulation of these watches. By the late 19th century, they had merged their companies and were producing some of the most advanced timepieces of their day. The first-ever minute repeater wristwatch was created by AP in 1892, and the company continued to produce ground-breaking timekeeping devices for decades.
Today, the company continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what a watch can do. The brand has a huge following across the globe, and their Royal Oak models have become an iconic part of Swiss watch culture.
In 2022, AP posted record sales of over $2 billion for the first time in history. And 90% of those sales came from their famous Royal Oak line. That’s an amazing accomplishment for a company that was facing major challenges just two years ago.
The new Royal Oak 15202ST is a faithful tribute to the original design from 1972. The octagon-shaped bezel and tonneau-shaped case are a clear nod to the original. But it also features a number of important improvements. For example, the dial is made of a special sapphire that can withstand up to 2,000 shocks.
