Audemars Piguet, or AP to watch collectors, ranks alongside other luxurious behemoths such as Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin at the peak of Swiss watchmaking. These three companies are known as the “Big Three” of the watchmaking industry. Not to mention the Audemars Piguet has been family-run since its inception.
Sports stars such as Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams and Jay-Z, and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger are fans of the brand. For centuries, the company has produced iconic timepieces that cross generations. Its strong ties to numerous sporting and artistic fields create creations that seamlessly combine contemporary and retro aesthetics.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: A Pioneer of Luxury Sports Watches
The Royal Oak has inspired several versions, including the Offshore and the Royal Concept. Each of these sets has its own set of complexities. Audemars Piguet price continues to be steadily rising. The watch, as expected, is made of stainless steel and features the same octagonal bezel with exposed screws that we’ve come to love.
The Royal Oak isn’t just 39mm in diameter. Because of its scale, the 41mm Royal Oak Self-winding is a favorite among collectors. It is also a decent investment because its price has been that in recent years.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore: The Adventurer’s Sports Watch
Almost two decades after the Royal Oak was launched, a second-generation designer working for Audemars Piguet introduced a new concept that reimagines its predecessor. Emmanuel Gueit proposed a design for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, which gives the Royal Oak a more sporty look.
It is more significant and more durable, with features suitable for outdoor activities. The Royal Oak has recently become a timepiece for explorers and enthusiasts, broadening its clientele. Its production, however, was far from a fairy tale. The Offshore’s developer had to work on it alone, with no help from his friends.
Fortunately, his supervisors saw promise in him. The Audemars Piguet management offered Gueit the chance to lead the production of the new watch and name it. Although the Royal Oak was the basis for this timepiece, the Offshore evolved into its timepiece. It possessed characteristics that could not be attributed to Genta’s development.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59: AP’s Most Controversial Watch
When the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 was released in 2019, it was met with controversy. People were disappointed with the result because AP made a big deal out of its debut. It’s quite a feat, though, for a case that’s both circular and octagonal. As seen from the top of the dial, it seems to be a traditional timepiece.
The dial’s specifics, however, seem to lend it an octagonal appearance. According to the appearance of the watch, Audemars Piguet put a lot of effort into this timepiece. It has gold features that make it one of the brand’s most eye-catching timepieces. The gold logo on the watch was created by AP using a process known as galvanic creation.
With 13 models released on the first day, the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 did not live up to the expectations of AP. However, as in most contemporary classics, the critiques were only a part of the show. It is also one of the brand’s best-selling timepieces. Many people came to understand the virtues of this watch because of its masterful nature.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept: The More Complex Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak idea to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak. It pays homage to the original timepiece, which changed the direction of watchmaking history over the years. The Royal Oak design includes the octagonal bezel and exposed screws that are hallmarks of a Royal Oak watch.
AP expanded on this by infusing personality into each of its offerings. It has a unique style as well as technical marvels that are useful in the new world. The Royal Oak Concept also has a breathtaking open-heart feature that allows the wearer to see the watch’s inner workings.
It is also available bejeweled, making it one of the most costly Royal Oak versions to date. With its cutting-edge technologies, it’s fair to assume that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept is priced higher. It goes beyond feature as an Haute Horlogerie watch, and its aesthetic is more on show.
Takeaway
With Audemars Piguet’s legacy and milestones in the industry, many watch enthusiasts consider buying a watch from the company to be a pipe dream. And the fact that it is one of the “Big 3” in the Swiss watchmaking industry, along with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, makes Audemars Piguet, a highly sought-after watch company.
You can’t help but notice the Audemars Piguet as a significant accomplishment in your possession as a watch collector. It’s as well-known as any other brand today. It has a wide variety of collections, and the variants I’ve mentioned above will impress many wrist watch enthusiasts.