Audemars Piguet
Section 1 - History
Of the so called “Holy Trinity” of watchmaking, Audemars Piguet is known as the “Young Prince”. The reason why is because it is the youngest of the three, having been founded in 1875 in Le Brassus by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, acquiring the name Audemars Piguet & Cie in 1881.
Now at its fourth generation, represented by Jasmine Audemars and Olivier Frank Edward Audemars, the company has always been family-owned since its inception.
The two founders of the maison had their own specialities: Audemars was more into the creation of complex movements, while Piguet instead was most interested in the perfect regulation of the timepieces. So, since the beginning, the first operated in the design and production, while the latter took care of management and sales.
The company was - and is - among the most stalwart and prolific innovators in the field of horology, and owns an impressive collection of world records. In 1892, the company devised the world's first wristwatch minute-repeating movement, which was then supplied to Louis Brandt Frères SA. Yes, that’s Omega. In 1899, they manufactured a “Grand Complication” pocket watch with 7 complications. In 1921 — when they were working to produce luxury timepieces for famous jewelers worldwide like Tiffany, Cartier, and Bvlgari — they designed the first jumping hour complication (where the hour hand “jumps” to the next hour, rather than moving progressively). And just four years later, in 1925, they launched the world’s thinnest movement, at just 1.32mm.
They managed to create the first skeleton watch in the world in 1934, for people to see all the precise machinery of the movement turning under the dials. An amazing success.
And they did not cease their drive towards innovation at large: in 1972 they launched one of the most iconic watches of all time - the Royal Oak, designed by the greatest watch designer of all time, Gerald Génta himself. A watch which invented a totally new category of timepieces: the luxury sports, which is today one of the most dominant ever.
Section 2 - Iconic pieces
1 - Royal Oak
As we said, the Royal Oak emblazones the Audemars Piguet image. The watch, designed by Gerald Génta and presented in Baselworld in 1972, was groundbreaking in so many ways, and a breaking point in luxury watches. Génta and Audemars Piguet presented a new concept of luxury, something which did not come from the precious materials or the excellence of the finishings, but rather, from a precise and evocative design. The timepiece, with its octagonal shape, the immense bezel and the exposed screws, had an aura of ruthless industrial efficiency, enhanced by the polished steel surfaces refracting into the integrated metal bracelet.
How distant this watch was from its contemporaries, paving the way for the new revolution that went on to bring us the dominance of the luxury sports watches and their brands.
It was also oversize - some 39 mm of assertiveness, growing again to become 42 mm in occasion of its 20th anniversary, thanks to the design of Emmanuel Gueit, with the introduction of the Royal Oak Offshore - a history of new models to develop every aspect of this iconic model, which has continued for more than 40 years.
2 - Jules Audemars
A collection which is named after one of the founders of the company, the Jules Audemars line is the expression of the more traditional aspect of the company, and the creation of its original designs, which were traditionally developed by Jules Audemars.
The company history tells us that he was a tireless designer and innovator: by 1875, Jules Audemars had created about 20 complex movements, and he used his experience and tenacity so to develop them further and make the discoveries which the company used in its later products.
The Jules Audemars line caters to the most traditional and elegant wrists, for men and women. The precious, essential lines of the round cases show the purity of the forms and the contours, subtly enhanced by the contrasting finishes of the surfaces and the perfect embedding of gemstones.
The movements are equally impressive, several sporting the signature skeletonization typical of the maison, and are available in complicated and grand complicated versions including tourbillon, minute repeaters, moonphases and perpetual calendars.
3 - Code 11.59
This year, during its last presence at the "Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) 2019", the company released - after five years in the making - its newest and most ambitious collection composed of 13 different references: the Code 11.59.
At the first sight, you cannot fully appreciate their deceptively understated - as far as luxury horology goes - and somewhat traditional looks, but once you get to them more closely, you will notice every single little detail. The design of the case - its most prominent feature - is both sleek and very complex, in three different pieces incorporating an octagonal section in the middle, a homage to the tradition of the Royal Oak.
There are several little details that reveal the painstaking attention that has been poured into this collection. All the crystals feature a unique curvature which has been created to subtly change how the dial appear at certain angles.
With such a premise, the movements could not do anything but to conform to this excellence - and as in the tradition of the maison, they do. We were particularly fascinated by the Perpetual Calendar, with its aventurine dial which seems star-spangled, tucking inside the prestigious cal. 5134 inherited by the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar.
Section 3 - News
The company had announced that this Edition of the SIHH will be its last - and has used this feat to their full advantage as the attention was concentrated on them, to dazzle the audience with its Code 11.59 collection, it most ambitious project, five years in the making.
But the true novelty is that the company is heralding a deep change in how we select - and use - watches.
The new collection has been presented to the press through high-res videos, featuring three ambassadors of the brand - the chef Dominique Crenn, the architect Bjarke Ingels and the tennis champion Serena Williams - each of whom talked at length about the hard work, resilience and ambition to be different - while wearing what was essentially the same watch.
And if the concept was not evident enough, the CEO of the maison, François-Henry Bennahmias, ended the presentation by saying simply, “We are not calling this a men’s watch. We are not calling this a women’s watch. This is just a watch.”
Unisex, here we come.
Section 4 - Gossip/Style
Nov 2018 - The high-follower count Italian couple composed by Chiara Ferragni (influencer) and Fedez (rapper) has been caught on photos showing their respective timepieces: a steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for her and a rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus for him, both quite high-profile as they are.
Feb 2019 - It seems that this time is the right one: Jennifer Lopez and former baseball player Alex Rodriguez are still going strong together.
And the couple, who has just celebrated their second anniversary on this February, is not ruling out a formal engagement in the next future. Well, not certainly because of J-Lo, who on Valentine’s Day has gifted his boyfriend a blue and silver Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph watch. A-Rod, it’s your turn now!
Feb 2019 - One of the most prominent Indian actors, Varun Dhawan took the country by storm with his debut film Student of the Year (2012). Since then the actor has delivered one hit after another without even blinking, making him possibly one of the highest-paid stars of Bollywood. Well, the guy sports some refined tastes - while driving his Audi Q7 or riding his Harley Davidson Fat Boy, Varun sports a black and gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph.
Section 5 – Current Most Popular Models
The most famous model from Audemars Piguet is without doubts the Royal Oak, the iconic masterpiece created by Gerald Genta, which has launched the category of the “luxury sports” watches.
You can find models both for men and ladies under the Royal Oak standard, in 39 mm, and Royal Oak Offshore models, in 42 mm size, such as the famed Royal Oak Grande Complication and the Royal Oak Chronograph Tourbillon.
Another important product line of the maison is the very classic Jules Audemars line, with its round case, which represents the brand’s take into the elegant world of dress watches. Apart from the simple two hands varieties, you end up with mechanical marvels such as the precious Jules Audemars Equation of Time.
The Millenary series is an unusual take. It is instead focused on giving a three dimensional look at a regular watch. It displays a horizontal elliptical case and domed crystals, and is known for its complications and unique concept and decorations.
Also, the brand has launched the new Code 11.59 line during the SIHH 2019, a series which is characterized by its unisex watches in precious metals displaying a unique, complex case and complicated movements (chronograph, tourbillon, supersonnerie).
Section 6 – Current Approximate Price List By Line/Model
Royal Oak
The Royal Oak line - which is the most well-known for the company - has branched out in time, originating several sub-lines, each of them divided into separate models, which all share the signature porthole design inspiration of the watch.
• Royal Oak
• Royal Oak Chronograph
• Royal Oak Offshore
• Royal Oak Concept
| Model: | Royal Oak |
| Type: | Luxury Sports Watch |
| Material: | Stainless Steel, Titanium, Gold, Platinum |
| Functions: | Date, Annual Calendar, Leap Year Calendar, Perpetual Calendar, GMT, Tourbillon, Equation Of Time |
| Price Range: |
The stainless steel Royal Oak starts at around $18,000 for the 41 mm version, rising up to around $29,000 for the original 39 mm. |
| Model: | Royal Oak Chronograph |
| Type: | Luxury Sports Watch |
| Material: | Stainless Steel, Titanium, Gold |
| Functions: | Date, Chronograph, Tourbillon, Diving Bezel, Perpetual Calendar, Minute Repeater |
| Price Range: |
An evolution of the basic Royal Oak, the chronograph version in stainless steel is available at around $24,000, rising up to around $50,000 for the 18k gold versions. |
| Model: | Royal Oak Offshore |
| Type: | Luxury Sports Watch |
| Material: | Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel And Gold, Gold, Ceramic, Platinum, Titanium, Carbon |
| Functions: | Date, Chronograph, Flyback, Perpetual Calendar, Tourbillon, Minute Repeater |
| Price Range: |
The Royal Oak Offshore is a larger version of the basic Royal Oak. The basic versions in stainless steel are available for around $24,000, and over. |
| Model: | Royal Oak Concept |
| Type: | Luxury Sports Watch |
| Material: | Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel And Gold, Gold, Ceramic, Platinum, Titanium, Carbon |
| Functions: | Date, Chronograph, Flyback, Perpetual Calendar, Tourbillon, Minute Repeater |
| Price Range: |
The Royal Oak Concept is the most experimental line of the maison. All the watches of this line feature some amazing combinations of complications. |
| Model: | Royal Oak Millenary |
| Type: | Dress Watch |
| Material: | Stainless Steel, Carbon, Gold, Titanium, Platinum |
| Functions: | Date, Small Seconds, GMT, Moon Phase, Perpetual Calendar, Tourbillon, Minute Repeater |
| Price Range: |
The Millenary collection features mostly complicated watches. |
| Model: | Jules Audemars |
| Type: | Dress Watch |
| Material: | Stainless Steel, Gold, Titanium, Platinum |
| Functions: | Date, Chronograph, Leap Year Calendar, Perpetual Calendar, GMT, Minute Repeater, Tourbillon, Equation Of Time |
| Price Range: |
The Jules Audemars collection is one of the most dressy of the watchmaker. |
| Model: | Code 11.59 |
| Type: | Dress Watch |
| Material: | Gold |
| Functions: | Date, Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar, Minute Repeater, Tourbillon |
| Price Range: |
The new 11.59 collection is composed of 13 references, all in precious metal. |
Section 7 – Recent Blog Post
The Birth of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
HOW THE OFFSHORE CAME TO BE
During a time when women wearing men’s watches was in vogue, Emmanuel Gueit, a second generation watch designer, was tasked with re-imagining the capacity and composition of the Royal Oak.
Stephen Urquhart, who was with Audemars Piguet since 1974, became Joint President and Managing Director in 1989 and within that same year, he gave Gueit—what eventually would become—one of the most essential assignments of his career.
The instructions were to create something that would entice a younger audience as well as to “give men a chance to continue to have the bigger watch.” (Adi Soon, Birth of the Beast ) What Gueit proposed was initially seen as preposterous by his superiors.
His prototype presented a watch case that came in at 42mm, something that was absolutely unheard of in the then-36mm-average era.
“The Royal Oak Offshore was the size of a pocketwatch, but on the wrist.” —Sebastian Vivas, Heritage and Museum director
The creation shook the watch industry and resulted in a plethora of ridicule and disdain. The prediction of many naysayers was that ultimately it would be a failure. Gueit didn’t receive much applause internally either.
In response to his conceptual sketches, Georges-Henri Meylan, who served as CEO of Audemars Piguet’s for many years, is even quoted having told Gueit:
“Look, I’m sorry but you’re crazy.”
Critics were fast to label it, assigning it the designation: “The Beast.” It took 4 years for the design to be reworked and refined and it debuted in 1993. While it was initially perceived as pretentious, not many really understood the potential of what it could become, let alone what it would eventually represent.
“It was a risk of course, but “risk” is the Offshore’s middle name”. It has always sparked controversy so it’s nothing we haven’t handled before.” —François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet
Section 8 – Q & A
Is it safe to buy an Audemars Piguet watch online?
In general, if you’re looking to buy an authentic Audemars Piguet online, you can find a stunning watch that fits the bill, but you should pay attention to a few important details.
- The seller. When you buy luxury watches online, it’s important to research the reputation and location of the seller. While shopping around, pay attention to the quality of the website and the depth of information provided there.
- The price. It’s quite possible to buy a gold Audemars Piguet online for deeply discounted prices, but if you see an Audemars Piguet advertised for less than four figures, that’s a clear warning sign of a fake.
- The look and feel. One hallmark of an authentic Audemars Piguet watch is the signature Tapisserie pattern on the dial, an intricate design that is difficult to copy. If a watch is missing this, lacks luminosity, or feels lightweight, it’s not authentic.
- The sound. A true Audemars Piguet shouldn’t run relatively quiet and never make a loud ticking noise.
- The credentials. Don’t buy an “authentic” watch without a certificate of authenticity.
At Luxury Bazaar, we pride ourselves on maintaining only the highest standards for our Audemars Piguet watches for sale online. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’ve visited us before to buy women’s Audemars Piguet online, free to contact us with questions about the authenticity of any of our offerings.
Do Audemars Piguet watches keep their value?
Very simply put, yes. It is important when purchasing a watch for the first time—or even the 20th time—to take into consideration if the watch will increase in value over the years. Some luxury watches start losing their value as soon as they come off the shelf, while some are practically priceless to own and resell for the same—if not more for their purchase price. If you are thinking about buying an Audemars Piguet online and hoping for a huge increase in value over time, we give you the green light.
If you’re looking to buy a certified pre-owned Audemars Piguet watch online or invest in a brand new luxury watch, count on Luxury Bazaar to provide a truly breathtaking timepiece that you can be proud of today and pass on to future generations.
Is an Audemars Piguet watch an heirloom item?
As one of the world’s gold standards for elegantly made luxury watches since 1875, Audemars Piguet watches continue to amaze today. Their intricate workmanship and attention to aesthetic beauty make them a treasured heirloom item for any family fortunate — and discriminating — enough to own and maintain them for generations.
Mothers who buy a women’s Audemars Piguet online at Luxury Bazaar will delight in passing that timeless elegance on to daughters. Similarly, buying a men’s Audemars Piguet in our online shop means forging a priceless connection to loved ones, and their loved ones, far into the future.
Luxury Bazaar is proud to offer timepieces that stand the test of time at prices no discriminating shopper can resist. Thank you for shopping with us today; we look forward to seeing you again soon!
What explains the recent popularity of Audemars Piguet (AP)?
They have a very solid icon with the Royal Oak. Some would argue that they only have one watch in their lineup but still. I can imagine a lot of brands wishing to have a product even only 10% as iconic as the RO! What model represents Longines for example? Can you think of one? You get my point.
Furthermore, the brand has managed to renew itself. AP was founded almost 150 years ago yet, their production looks absolutely modern and contemporary. They manage to be one of the oldest watch players while having the “youngest” looking watches. Old brands in any industries are having a hard time not appearing dusty and staying relevant, Audemars Piguet is excelling at that.
This is actually quite interesting because modern brands in watchmaking have cool designs but are lacking history or legitimacy. This can be difficult to deal with in a traditional industry where heritage is a core value. Past and future, Audemars has both. Read More...
(Reference: MarcMontagne, Founder Toolwatch.io - Digital Manager @ Vacheron Constantin, https://www.quora.com/What-explains-the-recent-popularity-of-Audemars-Piguet-AP)
Why are Audemars Piguet watches so expensive?
Audemar Piguet is a name that gets attention and big bucks for their merchandise. Clever marketing and well placed endorsements help keep the brand moving product. Arnold Schwarzenegger popularized the brand and had a long relationship with AP. The fact the former California governor and Terminator star appreciates Audemar Piguet, doesn’t “cut any ice” with me.
AP is guilty of the sin of not producing their own complicated movements. While the movement may be decorated in house, the spirit of the watch is compromised. Once again the consumer is paying top dollar for a name and reputation but not really getting the finished product that they bargained for.
The Royal Oak Chronograph retails for $20,000.00 - $50,000.00 USD. Read More...
(Reference: John Flavin, Collector of Vintage Watches and Pens, https://www.quora.com/Why-are-Audemar-Piguet-watches-so-expensive)
Which Audemars Piguet watch would you buy?
When someone asks you which Audemars Piguet watch would you buy, the first name that pops up is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41.
The watch is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The finesse is on point, the panache is unparalleled, the classiness is outrageous, and the awe is real. In my experience, the invention of the Royal Oak back in 1972 was the defining moment that made Audemars Piguet watches the marvels they are today. But that does not change the fact that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41 is one of the most awe-inspiring as well as graceful timepieces created under the Royal Oak collection. Read More...
(Reference: Deepika Mahajan, https://www.quora.com/Which-Audemars-Piguet-watch-would-you-buy)
What is the difference between a Rolex watch and a Audemars Piguet watch?
The differences between the two watch brands are:
- Rolex is known to make durable workhorse watches whereas Omega makes more exclusive “dress watches” - of course generally speaking.
- Audemars Piguet focuses more on advanced movements and watches, such as grand complications whereas Rolex changes things very little and only improves and build upon what they have.
- Rolex emphasises making waterproof watches which is partly because of Rolex’s history of developing the Oyster.
- Audemars Piguet generally makes more dressy watches. These watches are more focused on suit kind of apparel, whereas Rolex watches are mainly promoted as tool watches that can be used anytime, anywhere.
- Rolex mainly focuses on robust and rugged tool watches. All of Rolex’s watches have a purpose. The Submariner is built specifically for divers, the GMT specifically initially made for Pan am pilots, the Explorer made for “Explorers” of mount Everest etc.
(Reference: Adam Hans, Watchmaker at Millennium Watches, https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-Rolex-watch-and-a-Audemars-Piguet-watch)
How much would you have to earn in order to justify buying an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch?
Financial planner Hank Coleman recommends to limit one's "hobby" budget to 30% of one's net income, which in your case would leave between 11k and 13k to indulge every year.
You could buy a Royal Oak with a clear conscience if you manage to commit to the following rules:
- Not paying full price. Paying full price is foolish, no matter the circumstances, unless you are buying a one-of-a-kind watch or from an extremely limited production.
- Cutting your spending by 50% in other hobbies for the following 24 months.
- Refraining from buying a second luxury watch within the next 24 months.
- Taking great care of your watch. Enjoy wearing it, but take it off and keep it in a safe place when you play sports.
(Reference: Francis Jacquerye, timepieces & luxury. Analysis, strategy & cost optimisation, https://www.quora.com/How-much-would-you-have-to-earn-in-order-to-justify-buying-an-Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-watch)