?size=1071,515&fmt=avif-alpha&dpr=off){kind=logo}
Audemars Piguet has always been determined to forge its own path, starting with the founders' decision to create one-off timepieces in an era of looming industrialisation.
Despite a commitment to preserving tradition and savoir-faire, generations of watchmakers at AP have consistently advanced their craft, leveraging new technology in a constant quest for improvement.
Since its inception, Audemars Piguet has pushed the boundaries of smallest, thinnest and largest, while consistenly enhancing its mechanisms’ accuracy, reliabilty an functionalities. Here are notable highlights that substantiate Audemars Piguet’s position at the forefront of Haute Horlogerie.
1892
Audemars Piguet collaborated with Louis Brandt & Frère to produce the first wristwatch in watchmaking history to be equipped with a minute repeater mechanism.
1899
Audemars Piguet specialised in complicated watches from the start. Finished in Audemars Piguet’s workshops in 1899, the Universelle was one of the most complicated watches of its time.
1921
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Audemars Piguet has championed miniaturisation. With a movement of seven lignes (15.8 mm in diameter), the smallest 5-minute repeater in the world went into production in 1921.
1938
In continuous production from 1938 to the early 21st century, the 9ML Calibre and its successor Calibre 2003, exemplify consummate finesse with an extraordinary thickness of 1.64 mm.
1955
In 1955, Audemars Piguet produced the first perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap-year indication: Model 5516 with Calibre 13VZSSQP.
1972
In 1972, the Royal Oak overturned watchmaking norms with its steel case, octagonal bezel and Tapisserie dial.
1978
The selfwinding perpetual calendar, Calibre 2120/2800, was the thinnest in the world (3.95 mm). It heralded the comeback of complicated mechanisms in the wake of the quartz crisis.
1986
The first-ever selfwinding wristwatch with a tourbillon. In 1986, it was the thinnest of its kind (5.3 mm) with the smallest tourbillon (7.2 mm). Today, it still remains the smallest tourbillon ever produced.
1993
With its 42 mm diameter, the first Royal Oak Offshore pioneered large wristwatches.
1996
In 1996, Audemars Piguet created the first Grande Complication wristwatch in the Jules Audemars collection.
2006
The patent for the Audemars Piguet escapement was filed in 2000. It offers enhanced chronometric performance and excellent shock resistance. The first watch with this innovation was produced in 2006.
2015
Launched in 2015, the Royal Oak Concept Laptimer enables to time consecutive laps without having to restart the stopwatch at the end of each lap. Another world first!
2015
Audemars Piguet awakened sound with the Royal Oak Concept RD#1 – the most sonically considered concept watch of modern times, propelling acoustic performance in chiming wristwatches to unparalleled levels.
2018
The platinum prototype presented at SIHH in 2018 was the world’s thinnest selfwinding perpetual calendar wristwatch (6.3 mm) upon release. It was powered by the ultra-thin selfwinding Calibre 5133 (2.89 mm), which merged the perpetual calendar functions onto one single level instead of three. In 2009, a version combining platinum with titanium was commercialised.
2022
For the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, Audemars Piguet introduced its first oscillator with increased amplitude within two Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin models in 37 and 39 mm.
2023
Audemars Piguet released its very first ultra-complicated selfwinding wristwatch in the highly contemporary design of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. Building on three generations of R&D innovations, it incorporates 40 functions, including 23 complications.
Designed by Gérald Genta, the introduction of the Royal Oak in 1972 defies convention with its large 39 mm tonneau-shaped case, octagonal bezel, and “Tapisserie” dial. Breaking design codes, the integrated bracelet and body in hand-finished steel ennobles the material to the same status as gold.
Audemars Piguet has always kept one foot rooted in tradition and one foot stepping into the future of horological technology and design.
Jasmine Audemars
Chairwoman of the Audemars Piguet Foundation
Since 2015, Audemars Piguet’s Research and Development (RD) series has showcased groundbreaking advancements in watchmaking, blending technical innovation with timeless design. Each creation is a testament to the Manufacture’s pursuit of excellence.
RD#4: Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Universelle
Culminating seven years of research and development and drawing upon human talent across various disciplines, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Universelle pays tribute to the Grande Complication.
RD#3: Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin
In 2022, Audemars Piguet unveiled its latest research and development breakthrough (RD#3) with the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin to celebrate the iconic collection's jubilee. This 39 mm stainless steel anniversary model, measuring 8.1 mm in thickness, represents the first “Jumbo” in history to be equipped with a selfwinding flying tourbillon.
The new Royal Oak “RD#3” reinterpreted in 37 mm
This extra-thin 37 mm anniversary Royal Oak, powered by Calibre 2968, embodies the Manufacture's first ever selfwinding flying tourbillon offered in a 37 mm diameter.
RD#2: Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
The Royal Oak RD#2, introduced in 2018, marks a new watchmaking record. With a movement of 2.89 mm in thickness and a case of 6.3 mm in height, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin has become the world’s thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch.
RD#1: Royal Oak Concept supersonnerie
Presented in 2015, The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie prototype, known as RD#1, revolutionised the case construction of traditional minute repeaters.
Throughout its history, Audemars Piguet has combined a variety of materials and developed avant-garde and sometimes disruptive aesthetics. This boundless creativity reflects the pioneering and free spirit that the Manufacture has preserved and nurtured for generations.
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet
Classic by nature, unconventional by design.
View CollectionRoyal Oak
From avant-garde to icon.
View CollectionRoyal Oak Offshore
A daring and sportier take on the Royal Oak.
View CollectionRoyal Oak Concept
A high-tech approach to Haute Horlogerie.
View Collection[RE]Master
Inspired by the past, redesigned for the present, [RE]Master symbolises both the tradition and the pioneering spirit that pervades every Audemars Piguet watch.
View CollectionOur R&D Lab unveils a New Innovative Ceramic
A new polychrome ceramic is introduced, marking a first in the watchmaking industry.
Read moreAP Talks about the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Universelle
The culmination of 7 years of research and development, drawing upon the human talents working in various disciplines, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Universelle pays tribute to the grand complication.
Read moreThe “Universelle”, Simply Complicated
Created in 1899, the watch known as the “Universelle” is one of the most complicated watches in the world.
Read moreAP Talks about the Royal Oak Genesis
In the early years of the quartz crisis, Audemars Piguet created a stir with the launch of the Royal Oak.
Read moreAP Talks about Royal Oak 50th Anniversary
Since its inception in 1972, the Royal Oak has been in permanent dialogue with the world that has inspired it.
Read moreThe Royal Oak “Jumbo” Models
The 1972 Royal Oak and its ultra-thin 39 mm descendants are often nicknamed “Jumbo” due to what was viewed at the time as their outsized diameter.
Read on AP ChroniclesBirth of the Offshore
The outrageous, youthful and ultra-creative Royal Oak Offshore broke the Haute Horlogerie mould in the early 1990s.
Read on AP ChroniclesBirth of an Icon
The Royal Oak is one of the most famous watchmaking icons whose stories have become myths.
Read on AP Chronicles