About Audemars Piguet watch
Audemars Piguet Holding SA is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury mechanical watch and clocks, headquartered in Le Brassus, Switzerland. The company was founded by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux in 1875, acquiring the name Audemars Piguet & Cie in 1881. The company has been family-owned since its founding.
Audemars Piguet is a highly regarded watch manufacturer. The company is best known for introducing the Royal Oak wristwatch in 1972, which helped the brand rise to prominence within the watchmaking industry. One of Audemars Piguet’s early achievements was creating the world’s first minute-repeating movement for wristwatches in 1892. In addition, the company developed the first skeleton watch in 1934 and has manufactured some of the thinnest watches in the world, such as the 1986 ultra-thin automatic tourbillon wristwatch (Calibre 2870).
When it comes to luxury and style, who knows it better than famous athletes, music superstars, and A-list celebrities? It isn’t surprising that AP watches have been seen on the wrists of more than a few of these well-known individuals, including Tom Cruise, Serena Williams, Lebron James, John Mayer, and countless others. It’s no question why Audemars Piguet is one of the most sought-after and revered luxury watch brands today.
5 Reasons to Buy a Watch from Audemars Piguet
- First-class mechanical luxury watches
- The Royal Oak: A solid investment with the potential to appreciate in value
- Exceptional in-house calibers
- Perfect craftsmanship and the finest finishes
- A large selection of models
What is the most popular Audemars Piguet watch?
The current lineup of Audemars Piguet watch collections includes Royal Oak, Royal Oak Concept, Royal Oak Offshore, Millenary, Jules Audemars, Haute Joaillerie, Classique, and Code 11.59.
Audemars Piguet ROYAL OAK
The Royal Oak is the largest collection in Audemars Piguet’s catalog by far. Women’s watches with quartz movements serve as the series’ entry-point, with stainless steel editions demanding roughly 22,500 USD. A gold timepiece with diamonds sells for about 44,000 USD. Prices for men’s stainless steel models begin around 31,500 USD, while those in white or rose gold cost approximately 79,000 USD.
Vintage watches from the 1970s are true collector’s items. A well-maintained Royal Oak 5402 changes hands for about 67,000 USD on Chrono24. Fans are also fond of the ref. 14802, which the manufacturer released in honor of the collection’s 20th anniversary. Depending on the exact model and its condition, expect to pay anywhere from 54,500 to 232,000 USD for this timepiece.
You’ll also find the Royal Oak with various complications. Chronographs are particularly popular and cost between 40,000 and 102,000 USD. Models with a tourbillon or perpetual calendar are even more expensive, with prices ranging from 150,000 to 245,000 USD.
AP ROYAL OAK CONCEPT
The Royal Oak is the most famous watch from Audemars Piguet. The Swiss manufacturer first introduced this revolutionary model in 1972. With the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet ushered in a new era in luxury watches. Before then, stainless steel sports watches were not en vogue among the top luxury manufacturers, who many still most closely associated with gold timepieces. Beyond its case material, the Royal Oak’s design was also groundbreaking. Thanks to its octagonal bezel, the Royal Oak resembles a ship’s porthole. Another defining feature of the Royal Oak is the set of eight hexagonal screws that attach the bezel to the case. The slots in the screws are perfectly aligned, creating a harmonious circle. This is made possible by tightening the screws from below. In between the bezel and the case is a rubber seal. Finally, the stainless steel bracelet is integrated into the case, and the links taper off the closer they get to the clasp.
AP ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE
The most impressive watches of the Royal Oak Offshore collection are the Grande Complication and Tourbillon Chronograph. Audemars Piguet produces the former in white or black ceramic. Both versions are 44 mm in diameter and feature a sapphire crystal dial that provides a clear view of the movement within. The automatic in-house caliber 2885 provides the timepiece with a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and split-seconds chronograph. Back in 2018, both versions had a list price of 725,000 USD.
The various Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph models are a bit more affordable. The most recent edition is the ref. 26622TI.GG.D002CA.01, which is limited to a run of 100 pieces. Its 43-mm case is made of sandblasted titanium and contains the in-house caliber 2967. You can view this movement at work through the skeletonized dial and sapphire crystal case back. It provides the watch with an automatic winding rotor and a 65-hour power reserve. Other impressive details include the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock and the flyback chronograph. You will likely have to wait a while to get your hands on one of these timepieces, as they first went on sale exclusively at AP boutiques in mid-2021.
If you’re looking to get your watch more quickly, you may prefer the Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked ref. 26348IO.OO.A002CA.01. This hand-skeletonized masterpiece is dedicated to Qatari watch dealer Ali Bin Ali. Its 44-mm case comes in titanium, while the bezel, pushers, and crown are all black ceramic. The in-house caliber 2936 with a 72-hour power reserve ticks away inside this timepiece, and you can view the movement from above and below. Unlike the 2021 edition, the ref. 26348IO has a bridge running across its tourbillon. You can call this beautiful creation your own for around 183,000 USD.
Other Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon watches include the refs. 26421ST.OO.A002CA.01 (stainless steel) and 26421OR.OO.A002CA.01 (rose gold). Audemars Piguet has limited both versions to runs of 50 pieces. These timepieces debuted in 2018 in celebration of the Royal Oak Offshore’s 25th anniversary. According to the manufacturer, the avant-garde, skeletonized movement takes its cues from modern architecture. The manual caliber powering these watches has a maximum power reserve of 173 hours, which is just over seven days. You can purchase a never-worn edition for around 402,000 USD in stainless steel and 438,000 USD in rose gold.
AP Millenary
Currently, the Millenary is available in three different sizes. The smallest is 39.5 mm and is intended primarily for women and those with thinner wrists. The 45 and 47-mm versions were made with men in mind. You have the choice of stainless steel, platinum, or 18-karat white or pink gold case. Alligator leather straps are available in black, blue, dark grey, brown, beige, and white. The strap’s clasp is made of either stainless steel or 18-karat gold. Diamond-set models come paired with straps featuring diamond-set clasps.
The stainless steel Millenary 4101 has been this collection’s entry-level model since 2011. This watch is stripped down to the essentials: It simply displays the time. However, it is still beautifully decorated with Geneva stripes on the movement bridges and perlage on the main plate. Both are visible from the dial side.
A horological highlight from Audemars Piguet is their Millenary Minute Repeater. As its name suggests, the model has a minute repeater complication. It is powered by the in-house caliber 2928, which has an astounding 165-hour power reserve, equal to almost a full week. It also features a double balance spring and an escapement system developed by Audemars Piguet themselves. Together, these mechanisms ensure more efficiency and accuracy.
The Audemars Piguet Millenary is perfect for those looking for a unique wristwatch. Thanks to the elliptical case, skeletonized movement, and off-centered dial, this series distinguishes itself from the masses. With a Millenary on your wrist, you’ll be sure to attract attention.
Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars
The Jules Audemars collection has something to offer for anyone on the search for a simple and elegant dress watch. Fans of especially flat watches will find just what they are looking for with the Jules Audemars Extra-Thin. This two-hand timepiece in 18-karat white or rose gold is only 6.7 mm thick. One of these flat timepieces costs between 14,000 and 23,300 USD. However, prices for models embellished with diamonds rise to around 33,800 USD.
Ranging from 27 to 36 mm in diameter, the Jules Audemars Small Seconds is best suited to more delicate wrists. It is available in rose or white gold, and some models feature diamonds on the dial and bezel. The manual caliber 3090 powers these timepieces and provides them with their small seconds dials at 6 o’clock. There are no other complications to be found in this series. Plan to spend about 16,300 USD for a simple model and about 21,000 USD for one with diamonds.
AP Code 11.59
At SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet took a step rarely seen in the conservative world of Swiss watchmaking in recent decades: They announced a brand new watch collection, the Code 11.59. According to the manufacturer, the name represents modern technology, communication, groundbreaking designs, and optimism at the dawning of a new day. What’s more, the word “Code” stands for the brand’s core principles: challenge, own, dare, and evolve.
Perhaps the most notable feature of Code 11.59 is its unusual case design. While the bezel and case back are both rounds, the main body is an octagon and calls to mind the octagonal bezel of the famous Royal Oak. The lugs are also unconventional: They are hollow and only attach to the front side of the 41-mm case while simply resting against the case back. Two octagonal screws hold the spring bars in place. These same screws also appear on the Royal Oak’s bezel.
The dials of the Code 11.59 collection are remarkably reserved. You can choose from lacquered editions with a sunburst finish or models with an enamel finish. Both dial options mark the hours with narrow bar indices. Three-hand editions feature four slightly raised Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. Sapphire crystal protects the display. The dial-side of the crystal is domed with the outer side curved vertically from 6 to 12 o’clock. This design guarantees optimal readability.
Three new in-house calibers debuted alongside Code 11.59. The calibers 2950 and 4401 are particularly interesting. The former is the first Audemars Piguet movement to come with a flying tourbillon and central winding. On the other hand, the 4401 is the company’s first integrated chronograph caliber. The collection also contains models with a perpetual calendar or chiming mechanism.
5 Reasons to Buy an AP Code 11.59
A unique design
Sapphire crystal domed on both sides
Modern in-house calibers
Top models with a tourbillon, chronograph, chiming mechanism, or perpetual calendar
Suitable for men and women
Custom leather strap for Audemars Piguet
Nowadays, many watch lovers have become fans of Audemars Piguet watches. It is Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules Louis Audemars who founded the brand that is now synonymous with luxury and wealth. Today, Audemars Piguet is still independently owned by the family members of the founders.
Cartier watch Collection | Most Popular Cartier Watches