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Audemars Piguet
Swiss • b. 1881
Biography
A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.
Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.
Insights
Vintage Audemars Piguet chronograph wristwatches are exceptionally rare, with only 286 examples made between the 1930s and 1950s.
The original Royal Oak "Jumbo", reference 5402, was the most expensive stainless steel watch ever when it was introduced in 1972.
Audemars Piguet introduced the world's first self-winding wristwatch in 1986 with Tourbillon, which was at the time the world's thinnest and smallest tourbillon mechanism ever.
"Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches."