Key Takeaway:
- Audemars Piguet, founded by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, is a renowned watchmaker known for creating unique and complicated pocket watches, specialized in refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches.
- The creation of the Royal Oak, a genre-defining timepiece with iconic features such as a stainless steel case and octagonal bezel, cemented Audemars Piguet’s position as an innovative and influential brand in the luxury watch industry.
- The price range of Audemars Piguet watches varies greatly, with factors such as materials, complications, and limited edition status affecting the price. However, comparing the prices of Audemars Piguet watches to other luxury watch brands shows that they offer competitive pricing for their high-quality and unique timepieces.
History of Audemars Piguet Watches
Audemars Piguet watches have carved a niche for themselves in the watchmaking industry, known for their unique designs and intricate internal mechanisms. In this section, we explore the history of Audemars Piguet, from its founding by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet to the crisis faced by the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s.
We examine the evolution of Audemars Piguet’s specialization in refined chiming, chronograph and astronomical watches, and how it contributed to its reputation for creating unique and complicated pocket watches.
Founding of Audemars Piguet by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet
Audemars Piguet is a luxury watch brand created in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. The two shared a passion for watchmaking and set up shop in the village of Le Brassus, Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux region.
Their watches were unique and complex with refined chiming, chronograph and astronomical features. This made them stand out from other watchmakers and gain recognition in the industry.
Production was slow until after the Second World War. But Audemars Piguet faced a crisis in the 1970s. Rather than give up, they adapted to remain relevant.
Now, over 150 years later, Audemars Piguet is still known for their elegance and precision. Collectors around the world prize their Royal Oak and Jules Audemars collections because of their quality craftsmanship and design.
Reputation for creating unique and complicated pocket watches
Audemars Piguet have a great rep for creating unique pocket watches. Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet founded the brand, specialising in intricate timepieces. Until 1950, it was unknown outside Swiss watch circles.
By mid-20th century, Audemars Piguet’s expertise was clear. They crafted exclusive calendars with moon phase indicators and perpetual calendars. Smaller wristwatch models featured minute repeaters.
The Royal Oak was their first steel sports watch. It had an octagonal bezel, secured by 8 hexagonal screws, and the Tapisserie dial pattern. The Royal Oak Offshore Diver Series also gained worldwide fame.
Audemars Piguet watches are costly. Factors like material choice and design complexity increase the price. Compared to other luxury watchmakers, they keep prices lower due to being an industry newcomer.
Specialization in refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches
Audemars Piguet is a Swiss watchmaker that specializes in crafting refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches. They are renowned for their expertise in creating pocket watches with unique and complicated features. Even though they were negatively affected by the Swiss watch industry crisis in the mid-20th century, Audemars Piguet still achieved global recognition due to their commitment to manufacturing high-quality pieces.
To comprehend their specialities, we can look at a table that outlines prominent watches in each category. Audemars Piguet have crafted exceptional wristwatches such as the Millenary Minute Repeater and Equation of Time Watch for refined chiming. For chronographs, they have made the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher. The Jules Audemars Equation Of Time is one of their remarkable achievements in the astronomical watch category.
In addition to these, Audemars Piguet also excels in making perpetual calendar watches that take into account leap years and other complex calendrical details. Furthermore, they have developed skeletonized movements that showcase intricate mechanisms while maintaining accurate timekeeping.
It is clear that Audemars Piguet puts a lot of effort into luxury, and their specialization in refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches demonstrates their dedication to creating high-quality timepieces.
Slow development and production until 1950
Before 1950, Audemars Piguet progressed slowly. They specialized in creating complex pocket watches with chimes, chronographs, and astronomical complications. Yet, their growth was hindered due to lack of resources and demand. Nonetheless, they still made unique watches.
The company then introduced water-resistant gaskets and self-winding systems. This gave them an edge over other watchmakers and increased their global brand recognition. But, it was the release of the Royal Oak that made them stand out.
During the quartz crisis, many brands struggled; yet Audemars Piguet conquered this challenge by staying true to their roots. They kept creating high-quality mechanical watches with unparalleled craftsmanship and design. Today, they are one of the most prestigious watchmakers known for their commitment to excellence in every aspect of the manufacturing process.
Audemars Piguet proved that quality always prevails – even during the Swiss watch industry’s lowest point.
Crisis faced by Swiss watch industry in the 1970s
The Swiss watch industry had a major crisis in the 1970s, and Audemars Piguet was no exception. Quartz watches had become popular, pushing traditional watchmakers to reduce production. Foreign companies with low labor costs and automated tools also posed a great threat. Exports dropped and global recession made things worse.
But Audemars Piguet kept going. They stayed true to horological principles while innovating at the same time. The iconic Royal Oak watch is a great example of this.
Audemars Piguet succeeded despite the crisis. It shows how they triumphed during one of Switzerland’s worst periods in modern history.
Watches of Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet Watches are renowned for their elegance, innovation, and timeless appeal. In this section, we will explore the iconic watches created by the brand and the key features that make them unique. We will take a closer look at some of the most celebrated creations by Audemars Piguet such as the legendary Royal Oak, which changed the course of watchmaking forever. Additionally, we will highlight some of the other notable watches from Audemars Piguet that have captured the attention of watch enthusiasts across the globe.
Creation of the Royal Oak
The Royal Oak watch, created by Audemars Piguet, was a revolutionary moment in the world of luxury watches. 1972 saw the brand take a huge risk with the watch’s innovative design – complex assembly, expensive materials, and stand-out visuals.
Gerald Genta, the designer, was responsible for its octagonal shape and exposed screws. The integrated bracelet gave it a strong and appealing look. The bezel’s shape and water resistance resembled portholes and fishing boats. This watch set the benchmark for Audemars Piguet’s sports watch collection.
Every element of the Royal Oak is crafted with precision. This attention to detail has created an impressive portfolio of watches – chronographs and minute repeaters. Each one has individual mechanics, materials, and craftsmanship.
If you need a watch to survive a shark-infested ocean, the Royal Oak is the one for you. Just ask the guy who swam with a great white whilst wearing one!
Genre-defining features of the Royal Oak
The Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet stands out in the luxury watch market. It has a defining octagonal bezel, inspired by a ship’s porthole and secured with screws. Plus, its Grande Tapisserie dial has a raised square grid pattern that adds depth and texture. The integrated bracelet connects seamlessly to the case, no lugs necessary.
This watch also has an automatic movement for accuracy and precision. Plus, a sapphire crystal face provides clarity and scratch protection. It’s even water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
If you’re looking for a high-end watch, Royal Oak comes in sizes from 33mm to 41mm. Choose from chronograph editions, skeletonized dials, tourbillons, and perpetual calendars. Check out Audemars Piguet’s other timepiece creations too!
Other notable watches by Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is a master of creating unique, complicated watches that stand out in the luxury market. With features such as chiming, chronograph, and astronomy, it’s well-known for prestige. The iconic Royal Oak is its most famous. But there are many other noteworthy watches.
A table can display the various models and design elements. For example, the Millenary is Art Deco-inspired with an oval shape. The Jules Audemars is a slim dress watch with class. The Edward Piguet is elegant and suits both genders.
The Royal Oak Concept has a futuristic design with a flying tourbillon. The Code 11.59 collection is contemporary, with rounded cases and Arabic numerals.
The Millenary has a two-dimensional layered dial with guilloché work. The Code 11.59 is complex with a detailed case construction.
Audemars Piguet shows off its expertise and technology. It comes at a high price but is worth the investment for luxury watch fans.
Prices of Audemars Piguet Watches
Are you curious about the prices of Audemars Piguet watches? In this section, we’ll dive into the various factors that affect the prices of Audemars Piguet watches and explore the price range of these luxurious timepieces. Moreover, we’ll compare the prices of Audemars Piguet watches to other luxury watch brands to gain insights into the value for money offered by these watches.
Factors that affect the prices of Audemars Piguet watches
Audemars Piguet, an esteemed luxury watch maker, is famous for its unique and luxurious designs. There are many contributing factors to their pricing. These include intricate movements, limited availability, and material selection.
Producing these intricate movements, such as chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches, requires precision and detail. This in turn increases prices. There’s also limited availability of the exclusive models they produce annually, leading to high demand and rising prices for collectors.
Materials used to make Audemars Piguet watches, like gold, platinum, and diamond dials, add value and justify higher prices. Design elements also impact the value of the watch.
In conclusion, investing in an Audemars Piguet is pricey but worth it for its beauty and craftsmanship. With all these factors in mind, it’s a worthy choice for luxury watch fans.
Price range of Audemars Piguet watches
Audemars Piguet watches are renowned for their top-notch quality and distinctive designs. Prices vary, depending on the materials used, and complexity of the design. Let’s explore some of their most popular models.
The Royal Oak is from $18,000 to over $100,000. For a Royal Oak Offshore, prices range from $20,000 to around $400,000 for more intricate designs. Other models, such as the Jules Audemars and Millenary series, have prices from around $10,000 to over $500,000.
Note that prices change with the market, but buying an Audemars Piguet watch is an investment in quality craftsmanship and a unique timepiece to keep for generations.
Limited edition releases, rare vintage models, or bespoke pieces, could cost more depending on cultural relevance, or collector’s demand. So, it’s hard to give exact pricing for certain editions.
See the table for the price ranges of various Audemars Piguet models:
| Model | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Royal Oak | $18,000 – $100,000+ |
| Royal Oak Offshore | $20,000 – $400,000+ |
| Jules Audemars | $10,000 – $150,000+ |
| Millenary | $13,000 – $500,000+ |
Comparing the prices of Audemars Piguet watches to other luxury watch brands
Audemars Piguet is a renowned, luxury watch brand renowned for its intricate timepieces. To assess their place in the market, compare prices to other luxury brands.
| Factor | Price Impact |
|---|---|
| Rarity | High |
| Materials | High |
| Craftsmanship | High |
| Complications | High |
| Design | High |
The iconic Royal Oak, launched in 1972, stands out. Yet, Audemars Piguet faces competition from Richard Mille’s more modern approach.
Vintage models have sold at auction for up to $55 million USD, proving the brand’s mastery.
Five Facts About Audemars Piguet Watches:
- ✅ Audemars Piguet is one of the top watchmaking brands, alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. (Source: Christies)
- ✅ The brand was founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux. (Source: Christies)
- ✅ Audemars Piguet gained a reputation for its refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches, all assembled and finished by hand. (Source: Christies)
- ✅ The company only employed between 10 to 30 artisans and made timepieces in small batches, not serially produced until 1950. (Source: Christies)
- ✅ The Royal Oak watch, designed by Gerald Genta, saved the Swiss watch industry from an existential crisis due to the advent of cheaper quartz-powered wristwatches from Japan. (Source: The Watchbox)
FAQs about Audemars Piguet Watches
What is the history of Audemars Piguet watches?
Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux. The company gained a reputation for its refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches, all assembled and finished by hand. In the 1970s, Audemars Piguet created the Royal Oak which was a genre-defining timepiece for the industry.
What makes Audemars Piguet watches unique?
Audemars Piguet makes unique and complicated pocket watches, handmade by artisans in Switzerland’s watchmaking valley. They gained a reputation for their refined chiming, chronograph, and astronomical watches, all assembled and finished by hand. The Royal Oak, created in the 1970s, was a genre-defining timepiece for the industry with its round dial, distinct octagonal bezel, and an integrated bracelet.
How did Audemars Piguet handle the Swiss watch industry crisis?
In the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry faced an existential crisis due to the arrival of cheaper quartz-powered wristwatches from Japan. Audemars Piguet turned to designer Gerald Genta to create a luxury steel sports watch, which resulted in the creation of the Royal Oak. This watch was a success and helped save the company and the Swiss watch industry.
What is the Holy Trinity of watchmaking, and where does Audemars Piguet fit in?
The Holy Trinity of watchmaking refers to the top watchmaking brands: Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet. Audemars Piguet is one of the top watchmaking brands and is included in the Holy Trinity of watchmaking alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
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What are the prices of Audemars Piguet watches?
The prices of Audemars Piguet watches vary depending on the model, materials used, and complications. They range from around $10,000 to over $1 million.
About the author
I'm a luxury watch enthusiast and digital marketer hailing from Austin, TX. My passion for beautiful timepieces comes from the value I place on my own time. Expertly crafted watches give us all beautiful, daily reminders of how precious our time is.