Audemar Piaget
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21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
Early 2000s Swazi Wrist Watches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Audemars Piguet for sale on 1stDibs
The story of celebrated family-owned manufacturer Audemars Piguet and its universally acclaimed, widely coveted luxury watches begins deep in the Jura Mountains in western Switzerland.
The Vallée de Joux has been a haven of watchmaking since the late 18th century, when the residents of farming communities began creating timepieces during the winter months.
Jules Louis Audemars (1851–1918) and Edward Auguste Piguet (1853–1919), both natives of the region, were already deeply entrenched in the world of watchmaking when they joined forces to form a new house of horology near the end of the 19th century, an alliance that would be the start of a multigenerational family company. With complementary specialties within the field, Audemars and Piguet made the perfect pair in 1875: Audemars, the more technically minded of the two, oversaw production, while Piguet specialized in quality control and led the business and marketing parts of the outfit.
Audemars Piguet’s first major milestone came in 1892, when it created the world’s first minute-repeating movement for a wristwatch. (It was sold to Omega, whose origins date to 1848.) That was soon followed in 1899 with the Universelle pocket watch, a masterpiece of horology that boasted a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, alarm and chronograph with jumping seconds. It is still said to be the most complicated timepiece that Audemars Piguet has ever designed.
Between 1918 and 1919, both founders of Audemars Piguet had died and were replaced by their respective sons, incidentally both named Paul. Under the leadership of Paul Louis Audemars and Paul Edward Piguet, the watchmaker continued to innovate. It retained an ever-evolving technical focus and found new praise for its efforts, producing the world’s thinnest pocket-watch caliber in 1925, the first skeletonized pocket watch in 1934 and the world’s thinnest wristwatch in 1946.
When the quartz crisis of the 1970s left many watchmakers in the lurch, Audemars and Piguet found a creative solution, tapping the Geneva-born Gérald Genta to conceive the first-ever luxury watch in stainless steel. Launched at what would become the Baselworld watch and jewelry fair in 1972, the Royal Oak, with its octagonal face and integrated bracelet, would come to define the look of Audemars Piguet and revolutionize the luxury wristwatch industry, setting a standard that continues to this day.
Find a collection of vintage Audemars Piguet wristwatches and pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Whether or not AP is more expensive than Patek Philippe varies, as both watchmakers offer a wide range of timepieces. In terms of price points for entry-level timepieces, Audemars Piguet timepieces are often slightly less costly than those produced by Patek Philippe. The most expensive limited edition Patek Philippe watches are also often priced higher than those crafted by AP. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet watches.
- Is AP older than Rolex?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024Yes, AP is older than Rolex. Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet founded Audemars Piguet in 1875. Thirty years later, in 1905, Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis established Rolex. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches.