History of Audemars Piguet

Founder and Origins of Audemars Piguet

• Founder: Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet
• Year Established: 1875
• Initial Location: Le Brassus, Switzerland
• First Watch: A Pocket Watch with a Minute Repeater
• Official Website: www.audemarspiguet.com

The Beginning of Audemars Piguet

Founded in 1875 in Le Brassus, a small village in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, Audemars Piguet emerged from the collaboration of two skilled watchmakers, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet.

Both founders were natives of the region, renowned for its prestigious watchmaking heritage. Jules Audemars excelled in designing and producing complex watch movements, while Edward Piguet mastered watch assembly and quality control. Together, they aspired to create timepieces that were not only precise but also artistic marvels.

Founding Year, Location, and Founders

In 1881, after six years of collaborative watchmaking, the duo officially registered their company as Audemars Piguet & Cie. Headquartered in Le Brassus, the company sprouted from their shared vision of elevating horological innovation. Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet recognized an opportunity to introduce watches with high complications—a rarity in the commercial market of that era.

The First Watch and the Brand’s Purpose

In its nascent years, Audemars Piguet devoted itself to crafting highly complicated watches, featuring intricate functions such as perpetual calendars, minute repeaters, and split-second chronographs. The company’s inaugural product, unveiled in 1875, was a pocket watch with a minute repeater complication, enabling audible time announcements.

The primary drive behind establishing this brand was to showcase the technical prowess and exceptional craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers. Audemars Piguet aimed to offer exclusive products that stood out in the market, with innovation, precision, and high aesthetics at its core.

First Watch Model and Type from Audemars Piguet

The first watch Audemars Piguet created after its official formation was a sophisticated pocket watch that married functionality with artistry, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and precision.

Among the notable pocket watches produced in the early decades were those featuring minute repeaters and perpetual calendars. These intricate timepieces laid the foundation for Audemars Piguet’s modern designs, which continue to embody technical precision and luxurious aesthetics.

Innovations and Iconic Products from Audemars Piguet

Over the years, Audemars Piguet has established itself as a pioneer in horological innovation. Some of its most iconic products include:

• Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972): Designed by Gerald Genta, the Royal Oak became the brand’s defining symbol. With its distinctive octagonal case and visible screws, it was the first luxury sports watch made of stainless steel, revolutionizing perceptions of luxury timepieces. It swiftly became a trend and remains one of the most coveted models.
• Royal Oak Offshore (1993): A bolder, larger iteration of the Royal Oak, designed by Emmanuel Gueit, the Offshore catered to an audience favoring bigger, sportier watches. It expanded Audemars Piguet’s appeal, attracting celebrities and athletes to the brand.
• Millenary (1995): The Millenary collection introduced an elegant oval design with unique mechanical complications, featuring an open-worked dial that reveals the watch’s intricate inner workings. This series accentuated the artistic aspect of horology, seamlessly blending classic and modern styles.
• Code 11.59 (2019): This newer collection showcases a more contemporary and unique design that departs from Audemars Piguet’s traditional style. Code 11.59 employs modern design elements, focusing on advanced technology and materials.
• Royal Oak Concept: The Concept collection serves as Audemars Piguet’s playground for exploring futuristic and experimental design ideas, often featuring highly technical complications and bold innovations.

What Makes Audemars Piguet Unique

Audemars Piguet’s philosophy is deeply rooted in combining traditional techniques with continuous innovation. The brand is celebrated for its high-quality materials, meticulous attention to detail, and an elegant fusion of art and technology. Notably, Audemars Piguet remains family-owned, distinguishing it as one of the few Swiss watch companies still independently controlled by its founding family.

Moreover, Audemars Piguet has long been a trailblazer in iconic watch designs. The Royal Oak, for instance, broke convention by introducing a luxury watch made of stainless steel—a move initially deemed controversial but later set a new industry trend.

Modern Technology and Complications

Renowned for its fearless approach to innovation, Audemars Piguet continues to unveil complex horological advancements, including sophisticated tourbillons and cutting-edge minute repeaters. The brand also produces skeleton watches, allowing enthusiasts to marvel at the internal mechanisms. This technology demands exceptional precision and is often reserved for limited editions.

With its rich historical background and innovative spirit in horology, Audemars Piguet has cemented its global reputation as a creator of elegant, highly complex watches. From the revolutionary Royal Oak collection to the modern Code 11.59, Audemars Piguet continues to reign at the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking.