Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet has just released a new pair of Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked timepieces in collaboration with SoHo luxury retailer Material Good. The design “was conceived out of a creative dialogue between Audemars Piguet and SoHo luxury retailer, Material Good,” according to the manufacture. Driving the tourbillon, chronograph, hours, minutes, and small seconds functions is manual wind caliber 2936 which runs at 3Hz, has 299 components, 28 jewels, and a power reserve of 72-hours. Both versions feature pink gold luminescent markers applied to the sapphire crystal dial, with a ruthenium-toned outer minute/seconds ring, and ruthenium counters. Through the sapphire dial, you can admire the completely openworked bridges and components. And while the tourbillon bridge at 6 o’clock creates a visual show as the balance wheel oscillates to and fro beneath it perhaps the most striking element is the mainspring

This year at SIHH, Audemars Piguet launched an entire refresh of their existing Royal Oak Chronograph line that includes new two-tone dials, inside the 41 mm diameter case. In total, there are eight new styles. Three stainless steel with steel bracelets, with a black on white, white and black and silver/gray on blue, four pink gold with either blue or brown dial on either gold bracelet or leather strap, and one titanium and platinum model with a blue on a gray dial. A Frederic Piguet 1185 caliber, referred to as AP caliber 2385 powers the line, as was the case in the past. The movement is an integrated vertical clutch actuated column wheel chronograph but it is made by Audemars Piguet’s Vallée de Joux neighbor, Frederic Piguet (which Blancpain bought out) because the phenomenal caliber 3120 with a chronograph module

Thomas Mudge produced the oldest known perpetual calendar in 1762. Patek Philippe followed in 1925 with a perpetual calendar wristwatch based on a ladies’ pendant watch. Breguet created the first perpetual watch with a true wristwatch movement in 1929. However, it was not until 1955 that the leap year indication was brought to a wristwatch by Audemars Piguet in the reference 5516. Prior to that, all perpetual calendar mechanical wristwatches had the day, date, and month indications – not the leap year. Having said that, Audemars Piguet is clearly recognized as a leader and innovator in the Perpetual Chronograph field, however, it is not the perpetual calendar equipped caliber 5134 movement that is new. Although, it was in 2015, when the larger 41 mm perpetual calendars in steel and pink gold models were introduced, with the enlarged movement (based on

As the third and final part of the Audemars Piguet Haute Joaillerie ladies’ cuff timepiece trilogy – which started with the Dimond Punk in 2015, followed by the Dimond Fury in 2016 – the Diamond Outrage debuts today at SIHH in Geneva. The Diamond Outrage is available in two different one-of-kind pieces that are crafted in 18K white gold and include prominent spikes set with either diamonds or blue sapphires. Aptly described by Audemars Piguet, the “Diamond Outrage becomes an explosion of stalactites on the wrist.” The sparkling spikes vary in size from 29.30 mm to 40 mm in length, and are produced using the so-called “snow setting” technique, where the diamonds are set so close together that the jewel’s white gold frame appears almost invisible. The invisible setting, another rare technique, is used for each of the three distinctive

The famous Royal Oak timepiece was first introduced by Audemars Piguet in 1972, exclusively in stainless steel. Following the now legendary model’s success, the first yellow gold version of the Royal Oak was produced in 1977. That model came in the same 39 mm “Jumbo” case as the original stainless steel reference 5402 “A series,” with the same Jaeger-LeCoultre 920 based automatic caliber 2121 movement inside. And like the stainless steel model is highly sought after on the vintage market. Fast forward to 2017, after a long hiatus – the classic yellow gold Royal Oak “Jumbo” has returned. And to mark the 40th Anniversary of the first precious metal version of Audemars Piguet’s most famous watch, the Le Brassus manufacture has created a new series of Royal Oak Extra-Thins in yellow gold. The 18K yellow gold “Jumbo” is available with

Audemars Piguet has announced a new collection of Frosted Royal Oak timepieces – designed for women – that will be officially launched at the SIHH watch show in January. The line consists of two 37 mm Royal Oaks, in pink or white gold, powered by mechanical movements; and two 33 mm Royal Oaks, in pink or white gold, powered by quartz movements. To achieve the all-new “frosted” look each case and bracelet are hammered by hand. Otherwise, the movements and signature silver “Grande Tapisserie” dials are the same as what is offered on current Royal Oak models. Prices to be announced at SIHH 2017.

Audemars Piguet recently released a new dial for their Royal Oak Dual-Time watch. The old model has been discontinued and so far the new version comes in one variation: a blue dial with a blue alligator leather strap. Although, we suspect more variations are coming at SIHH 2017 or later next year. Maybe even a new movement. Currently, the movement is based on a design originally purchased from Jaeger-LeCoultre, which is not a bad thing. But aesthetically, Audemars Piguet makes a more finely decorated movement so it would be nice if they eventually switched to a movement that originated in Le Brassus (Audemars Piguet’s headquarters), not Le Sentier (Jaeger-LeCoultre’s headquarters, adjacent to Le Brassus). Featuring a second timezone, day and night indicator, power reserve, hours, minutes, and the date by hand, the new version is practically the same as its

On September 22, 2016, Audemars Piguet re-opened their New York City flagship store, located at 57th Street, after undergoing an extensive three-month renovation. The new 3,000 square foot design is inspired by Switzerland’s famous Vallée de Joux, where Audemars Piguet originated (Le Brassus) and is still headquartered at to this day. There are three distinct sales areas, two custom chandeliers hanging from the 15-foot ceilings, two large displays showing off images of the Vallée de Joux taken by famous photographer Dan Holdsworth’s, and even stone flooring that was imported from the Swiss mountains. “We are very excited to unveil our renovated 57th Street flagship, bringing the natural beauty of Le Brassus to New York City,” said Xavier Nolot, CEO of Audemars Piguet North America. He added, “Through our new boutique environment, we hope to transport clients to the Vallée de

Originally introduced in November 2008 (circa 2008), the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore "Survivor" has an unmistakable design with its super aggressive crown and pusher guards and all black color scheme. It comes in a 42 mm x 15.65 mm black titanium case, which is not huge until you add the guards. The Survivor came at a time when big bold timepieces were in style. Inside, is self-winding in-house chronograph caliber 3126/3840 which has 59 jewels, 365 parts, a frequency of 21,600 vph (3Hz) and a power reserve of 60 hours. The 3126 uses a variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and a flat-spring. All parts are have been decorated, including rhodium-plating on the manipulate and bridges, beveled edges on the bridge, perlage on the mainplate, and bridges adorned with "Cotes De Geneve" motif. Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds and

Movement servicing The main watchmaking floor at AP Clearwater is a sight to be seen. Before entering, guests and employees are required to don shoe booties (to protect from dust and dirt). The watchmaking room resembles more of a clean room than a facility for repairing and servicing luxury timepieces. Each watchmaker has a state of the art workbench and all of the tools they need to do their jobs. The watchmakers are assigned their daily work by their manager and the workload is prioritized by challenge and complications to ensure the watchmaker has a wide variety of different pieces to work on throughout the week. The movement is disassembled to the main plate and parts are put into a carriage for cleaning My watchmaker, Billy Janshon, was assigned my piece earlier in the week. He has been with AP