Audemars Piguet

Known as one of the big three in the watch world, Audemars Piguet is a symbol for power and elegance amongst watch connoisseurs. Audemars Piguet (affectionately known as AP to watch lovers everywhere) is a company that has always been on the cutting edge of innovation and style. Audemars Piguet is the oldest watch manufacturer never to have changed ownership. Since Audemars Piguet’s birth in 1882, a member of the Audemars or Piguet families has always sat at the board of directors and, thus, directly contributed to the destiny of the company. The story of Audemars Piguet’s founding though is a tale of two great minds coming together to create something special. In 1875, Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet joined forces to create the oldest Manufacture of Haute Horlogerie. The two truly made a wonderful team, each bringing their own unique talents together to create special timepieces. Audemars began by creating component parts for movements and managing the production and technical part, while Piguet made the final regulation of the timepieces and handled the sales. Together, they started the firm called Audemars, Piguet et Cie. The company got off to a slow start as their trademark was not registered until 1882, nor did their official founding occur until 1889. In spite of this, they were still the third largest employer for watch manufacturing in the Canton of Vaud. In order to maintain strict quality control and ensure that they manufactured only the highest quality timepieces, Audemars Piguet decided to produce all of their components and assemble all of their finished watches in house. Audemars Piguet opened its first branch in Geneva in 1889. Audemars and Piguet died in 1918 and 1919 respectively, but the company continued to thrive in their absence. Audemars Piguet went on to create the world’s smallest minute repeater (15.8mm), the jumping second hand (featured on the Hunter Model), the world’s thinnest pocket watch (1.32mm), as well as the world’s first skeletonized pocket watch. Even to this day, each and every watch is made by hand, one at a time, ensuring the utmost quality. Coming out of the great depression, Jacques-Louis Audemars took over Audemars Piguet with aspirations of bringing forth new life into the company. Audemars Piguet began manufacturing chronographs for the first time in the 1930’s. It wasn’t until 1972 though that Audemars Piguet created their iconic “Royal Oak” model. Defined by its octagonal case, hexagonal screws, steel edges, and integrated bracelet, the Royal Oak was the first high end steel sports watch. The success of the Royal Oak inspired Audemars Piguet to elaborate on this epic design by creating Royal Oak Offshore in 1993. Designed for extreme sports, the Offshore sets itself apart by adding a 44mm plus case size, rubber clad pushers and crown, and it is water resistant to 100 meters. Their standard production models sell well, but it is their limited edition pieces that collectors everywhere pine over. Audemars Piguet is truly a company that was born out of ambition, innovation, and a belief that quality always comes first. As the company has never changed hands, it has always stuck true to its roots, a great reason for its success commercially and technically.