The History of Audermars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is a luxury Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. The brand is known for its high-end timepieces, which are characterized by their intricate designs and technically advanced movements.
The early history of Audemars Piguet was marked by a focus on traditional watchmaking techniques, with a particular emphasis on the production of high-quality, complicated movements. In 1892, the brand introduced the world's first minute repeater wristwatch, a feat that cemented its reputation as one of the most innovative and technically advanced watchmakers in the industry.
Throughout the 20th century, Audemars Piguet continued to develop innovative and complex timepieces, such as the world's thinnest automatic movement in 1967 and the world's first luxury sports watch, the Royal Oak, in 1972. Royal Oak was designed by renowned watchmaker Gerald Genta, was a departure from the traditional round watch design, featuring an octagonal shape and exposed screws on the bezel. A decade later, Royal Oak Offshore was created by designer Emmanuel Gueit. Both Royal Oak and Offshore have ultimately defined the brand.
In the years since, Audemars Piguet has continued to innovate, introducing a number of unique features and complications, such as the perpetual calendar and the tourbillon mechanism. The brand has also continued to collaborate with leading designers and artists, such as Italian industrial designer and architect Gio Ponti.
Today, Audemars Piguet is one of the most prestigious and respected watch brands in the world, known for its combination of traditional watchmaking techniques and innovative design. The brand's watches are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and often command prices in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.