Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet: the icon of haute horlogerie

For many decades, Audemars Piguet watches have been among the most sought-after timepieces in the luxury watch segment. Alongside big names such as Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, the brand is one of the world’s big players in the watch industry and has been in family hands since it was founded in the mid-19th century. This is a real rarity, as very few Swiss Maisons are still owned by their founding families today. However, Audemars Piguet’s popularity is no coincidence. For example, the Swiss company impresses with an expressive range that extends from elegant three-hand watches to elaborate chronographs with complications. AP is best known for the watches in the “Royal Oak” series, which revolutionized the watchmaking world when it was launched in 1972 and helped to establish the era of mechanical luxury sports watches. However, their outstanding manufacture calibers and perfect workmanship also make Audemars Piguet timepieces a special highlight in any collection. Are you interested in a wristwatch from AP, but don’t want to buy it new? SG Watches is your reliable partner for the purchase of exclusive pre-owned luxury watches. Visit our branch in Oldenburg or our online store and get an impression of our selected range for yourself. We will be happy to advise you on the special features of a Royal Oak and other models from the traditional Maison.

The art of watchmaking since 1875

The history of Audemars Piguet dates back to the 19th century. In 1875, Jules-Louis Audemars founded the company in Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux after completing his training as a watchmaker. Audemars received support from his close confidant Edward-Auguste Piguet, also a trained repasseur. The collaboration became official in 1881, when the two friends registered the company Audemars Piguet & Cie. Initially, they concentrated on the production of complicated pocket watches, the most popular watch model at the time. The two founders quickly celebrated their first successes, for example with models that had a chronograph function or a minute repeater. They even won a medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889 with their “Grande Complication” pocket watch. The next sensation was not long in coming: in 1891, the company presented the smallest minute repeater movement of the time, with a caliber diameter of just 18 mm. At the end of the 19th century, Audemars Piguet also launched the first wristwatch, a rather unusual step at the time that heralded the age of wrist-worn timepieces.

The Joux Valley - home of Audemars Piguet and other Maisons

AP’s home is in the Joux Valley, an awe-inspiring region north of Geneva in the middle of the Jura mountains. However, it is no coincidence that Jules and Piguet settled here. After all, the natural resources of this area, with its rock formations containing iron ore, dense forests, rivers and glaciers, offer everything the watch industry needs. The rugged nature, especially the clear starry sky, is also said to have served Jules as inspiration for his creations. Not only Audemars Piguet found a home in this region of Switzerland, other world-class watch manufacturers are also based here, including well-known names such as Breguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Probably the most famous collection from Audemars Piguet: Royal Oak

The Royal Oak is one of the Maison’s most famous watches and has been part of the watchmaker’s range since 1972. The watch owes its great success above all to its unusual design. This is because the Royal Oak was made entirely of stainless steel when it was launched. A real break with convention, as luxury watches in this price range had previously been made almost exclusively from gold. In addition, the watch’s octagonal bezel with beveled edges was reminiscent of a ship’s porthole. The eight hexagonal screws completed the extraordinary look of the Royal Oak, as did the stainless steel bracelet integrated into the case, the links of which tapered towards the clasp. The watch was designed by Gérald Genta, a famous watch designer who produced many legendary designs during his career. His brief: to design a watch that could be worn at evening events and parties as well as on a boat trip or a drive in a sports car. The result was the Royal Oak, which is now regarded as the world’s first luxury sports watch.

The success of the Royal Oak

While the Royal Oak is one of the Maison’s most coveted models today, the success of the watch was initially slow to materialize after its launch in the 1970s. It is therefore hard to believe that two-hand models such as the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra Flat are now real gems in any collection and are in the upper price segment. If the price of such a legendary watch is too high for you, you can opt for the Ref. 15300ST, a 3-hand watch with a diameter of 39 mm. Those looking for a watch with a larger case should take a closer look at the Royal Oak Automatic with the Ref. 15400ST or the Ref. 15500ST. Both watches boast a case diameter of 41 mm and are also available at an attractive price. Also interesting: Audemars Piguet now also offers the Royal Oak in gold, platinum, titanium or ceramic versions and with various complications.

The second icon: the Royal Oak Offshore

After the delayed success of the collection, Audemars Piguet finally launched the Royal Oak Offshore in 1993. With its octagonal bezel, the origins of the watch are unmistakable, but the overall look of the Royal Oak Offshore is sportier. Due to its size, which can reach up to a diameter of 45 mm, the Royal Oak Offshore also appears much more massive and present. The sporty character of the watch is also emphasized by the fact that most of the current wristwatches in the series are equipped with a chronograph function. With the exception of the Royal Oak Offshore Diver, as these are diver’s watches with an internal diving bezel and are water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters. The watches with a chronograph function are only water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters. The Royal Oak Offshore is still primarily made of stainless steel, but Audemars Piguet watches are also available in titanium, platinum, gold or ceramic versions on request. If you prefer something more complicated, a Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication is the perfect choice, with complications such as a perpetual calendar, chronograph function or minute repeater.

Modern technology meets tradition: the Royal Oak Concept

The watches in the Royal Oak Concept series are particularly exclusive in the AP range. The watches are a fusion of classic watchmaking craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology, without losing the iconic look of the Royal Oak. All watches in this series have the tourbillon in common, either in the traditional design with a bridge on the dial side or as a flying tourbillon without a bridge. The tourbillon is combined with complications such as a second time zone or a chronograph function.

Other well-known collections from the Maison

In addition to the Royal Oak, the Audemars Piguet range also includes other legendary timepieces that enjoy great popularity and are a real asset to any collection. The Code 11.59 is also one of the most coveted watches in haute horlogerie, as is the Jules Audemars dress watch. Would you like to purchase one of these watches as a full set? We have a selection of first-class Audemars Piguet watches available for you and will be happy to advise you personally on the special features of Watches by Audemars Piguet.

Code 11.59: a watch developed from scratch

With the Code 11.59, the brand presented a watch in 2019 that was completely redeveloped from the ground up – a rather unusual step for a traditional Maison with a long history and successful series. But that didn’t stop the Maison. On the contrary, the designers drew inspiration from this eventful history and created a watch with a round bezel and round back that is reminiscent of timepieces from the 1930s and 1940s. The middle section of the case is again designed in the shape of an octagon and is therefore reminiscent of the Oak series. The watch is given a modern look by narrow baton hands and a dial with stick indices as well as skeletonized lugs. The watches in the Code series are generally made of white or rose gold, sometimes combined with black ceramic. The series also includes complicated watches, for example with a perpetual calendar, as well as limited editions that offer particular potential for value appreciation.

Jules Audemars: Dress watches in a class of their own

The Jules Audemars series was part of the traditional manufacturer’s range until 2019. Named after its founder, the series included a range of three-hand watches with small or central seconds, which are considered the epitome of elegant dress watches. Complicated watches with striking mechanisms or minute repeaters were also part of the range, as were extra-thin versions with two hands for the hours and minutes. With a very low height of just 6.7 mm, these watches fit under any shirt cuff. A model series was also named after the second founder, Edward-Auguste, which is also no longer in production. This was characterized above all by its square case.

Real works of art: Millenary

The watches in the Millenary series, which have been available since 1995, are also coveted by collectors and enthusiasts. The watches stand out with their oval case shape and off-center dials that allow a view of the caliber. In addition, Millenary watches are always artfully decorated and feature skeletonization or a diamond setting. This makes the timepieces a real eye-catcher and they are coveted collector’s items with attractive appreciation potential for good reason.

What makes an Audemars Piguet so special

Tradition and avant-garde – two concepts that are not mutually exclusive at Audemars Piguet, but rather unite in a wonderful way. The company has always relied on talented craftsmen and masters of their respective trades, who tirelessly acquire new skills in order to expand their savoir-faire, drive innovation and break new ground. This also applies to the material that Audemars Piguet uses for creations such as the oo .1200 st. 01 or the oo.d002cr .01. This is because watches such as an oo .1200 st. or an or .01 can be made from the finest gold, a material that the Maison has used since its early beginnings. Equally popular at Audemars Piguet is stainless steel, which is elaborately finished by hand and is particularly robust. Since the 2000s, Audemars Piguet has also been experimenting with ceramic, a modern and particularly lightweight material that is extremely wear and scratch resistant. In addition to the material used, it is also the intricate craftsmanship that makes every Audemars Piguet, such as an OO, so special. For example, the interplay between polished and satin-finished surfaces creates an exceptional finish that is second to none.

Buy Audemars Piguet watches from an experienced expert

Are you interested in a mechanical watch with a day-date display or an automatic from Audemars Piguet? Would you like to buy your dream watch not new, but pre-owned as a full set? Or would you like to find out more about the special features of an Audemars Piguet, such as what the term OO is all about? Then SG Watches is the right address for you! We are your reliable partner in Oldenburg for the purchase of selected Audemars Piguet pre-owned watches. Please arrange a personal appointment at our branch and let our trained experts advise you. We are happy to offer you the opportunity to put on the strap of an Audemars Piguet yourself to get an impression of the luxury watch. Are you not from the region, but would still like to own an Audemars Piguet? Then visit our online store and look forward to first-class services such as insured shipping.