Audemars Piguet is a luxury Swiss watchmaker that was founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the village of Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. The two were childhood friends who decided to join forces to create their own watchmaking company.
At the time, the watch industry in Switzerland was in the midst of a major transformation, with traditional watchmaking methods being replaced by mass production techniques. Audemars Piguet was founded as a response to this trend, with the founders dedicated to preserving the traditional methods of watchmaking and producing watches of the highest quality.
The company’s first major success came in 1891, with the introduction of the world’s first minute repeater wristwatch. This watch, which struck the time in hours, quarters, and minutes at the push of a button, was a major technical achievement and helped establish Audemars Piguet as a leader in the watchmaking industry.
Over the years, Audemars Piguet continued to innovate and develop new watches, including the world’s thinnest pocket watch in 1925, the first skeleton watch in 1934, and the Royal Oak, a luxury sports watch designed by Gérald Genta in 1972.
The Royal Oak, with its distinctive octagonal shape and exposed screws, became a cultural icon and helped cement Audemars Piguet’s status as one of the world’s leading luxury watchmakers. The company continued to produce high-quality watches throughout the 20th century, with notable releases including the Royal Oak Offshore in 1993 and the Millenary in 1995.
Today, Audemars Piguet remains one of the most respected and innovative watchmakers in the world. The company continues to push the boundaries of watchmaking, with recent releases including the CODE 11.59 and the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT. Audemars Piguet watches are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs, and the brand has become synonymous with the highest levels of luxury and quality.
