Audemars Piguet, a watchmaking company, was based in Le Brassus, Switzerland, in 1875 but didn't register the company name until 1882. Founded by two watchmakers, Jules-Louis Audemars, who ran the production, and Edward-Aguste Piguet handled the sales. The company had a slow start.
Jules Louis Audemars (left) and Edward Auguste Piguet (right) . Image from Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet early factory. Image from Audemars Piguet
1910 Audemars Piguet Manufacture Image from Audemars Piguet
The partners in-house manufactured all the components and assembled each watch internally, which enables them to maintain strict quality control. The company quickly became known for producing excellent high-end complicated timepieces. Even so, Audemars Piguet barely manufactured 1200 watches between 1894 and 1899.
Audemars Piguet pocket watch ads circa 1916. Image by Jonathan Kopp
Audemars Piguet Pocket Watch 1908. Image from Christie’s
In 1918, Audemars passed away, and so did Eduard Piguet the following year. Even though both founders have passed, it didn't stop the company from continuing its tradition of producing complex timepieces and downsizing pocket watch functions. Soon, the company started making wristwatches.
First-minute repeater wristwatch by Louis Brandt, but Audemars Piguet manufactures the movement.
In 1906, Audemars Piguet produced a minute repeating wristwatch. Repeater clocks have a cord that needs to be pulled to work. These are called "pull-repeaters." Some carriage clocks also have an activator lever that needs to be pushed for the bells inside the clock case to ring.
Outer-case repeater types must be wound manually or activated by sliding the slide along the side of the watch case towards the fingers. The slide releases the spring, which moves the repeater mechanism through its chiming sequence as it unwinds.
In the 1920s, Audemars Piguet reproduced the minute repeating watch in a much smaller size.
The company did not survive the depression, but in the 1950s, the company was back producing ultra-thin models and high-end dress watches powered by "nine-ligne caliber 2003", prepetual calendar, and clocks. Audemars piguet vintage watches are so rare that many watch enthusiast and collectors are willing to pay a handsome amount of money to get it.
Audemars Piguet "EXTRA-FLAT" 1967 wristwatch. Image from Connoisseur of time
In 1967, when Audemars Piguet company was associated with Jaeger LeCoultre, AP produced the thinnest automatic movement on the size of 2.45 millimeters. AP created the most delicate automatic movement three years later with a date indicator where they set a new record.
It doesn't just stop there. In 1986, Audemars Piguet again set a new record for the thinnest caliber 2870 (4.8 millimeters) and the thinnest audemars piguet tourbillon.
Royal Oak first draft. Image from Revolution Watch
By the late 1960s, Audemars Piguet had a slight down on sales which increased their risk for bankruptcy. Then in 1972, Audemars Piguet introduced the ROYAL OAK luxury sports watch. The royal oak was named after Third rate ship with 74-guns of the line of the royal navy. The actual HMS Royal oak ship was launched at Dudman’s yard - Deptford Wharf, on 1809.
Gerald Genta, also known as the “picasso of time pieces”. Image from The Value
Original Gerald Genta timepiece designs. Image from The Value
The Royal Oak Final sketch. Image from The Value
The signature design of the royal oak watch; the prominent hexagonal screw and an expertly crafted bracelet which fully integrated into the case of the watch, is designed by Gerald Genta (the same man who designed the Patek Phillip nautilus and IWC’s The Ingenieur). Rumors has it that Gerald Genta made a drawing on the first Royal Oak design on a paper napkin in Basel.
While in movements, Audemars Piguet are able to produce such unexpected complication because, they acquired the best of the complications specialist, Renaud & Papi. (As of today, they are known as Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi).
At first, it seemed like a huge risk to introduce the Royal Oak. But soon after the royal oak was launched, it turned into one of the most famous timepieces the company has ever made. It became the signature product of Audemars Piguet with non-stop demands in the market.
The Audemars Piguet royal oak watch is the most popular model. Some of the most famous models include Audemars Piguet royal oak perpetual calendar, Audemars Piguet royal oak chronograph, and especially for the contemporary models such as the Audemars Piguet royal oak rose gold, there is always a long waitlist. The early royal oak model (Series A) is the most sought vintage watch by collectors.
Royal Oak Offshore. Image from Watch Advice
In 1993, Audemars Piguet released a larger version of the royal oak with a chronograph called the ROYAL OAK OFF-SHORE. In 2000, the royal oak off-shore became the watch choice for athletes and hip-hop artists.
Audemars Piguet genaration leaders Image from Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet company is still family owned despite being bought by the conglomerate Richemont who held 40 percent of the latter. Audemars Piguet immediately received significant cash inject where they used the funds primarily for their marketing, research, and development.
Comments