Audemars Piguet is still one of the most reputable brands in fine watchmaking, and it is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025. AP, which is frequently regarded as a member of the "Holy Trinity" of horology, together with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, is renowned for pushing the boundaries of design and innovation, earning its position among the industry's finest.

Audemars Piguet has spent centuries innovating, starting in the sleepy Swiss village of Le Brassus and continuing to this day as a pioneer in the engineering and design of luxury timepieces. 

The brand's story is one of passion, accuracy, and eternal originality, whether it is through the development of world-first complexities or the bold reinvention of what a premium watch might look like.

This guide will help you explore Audemars Piguet's world. We'll examine the company's most recognizable designs in greater detail to see what makes AP unique in the luxury watch market.

A Brief History of Audemars Piguet Watches

Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 in the quiet Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. From the start, the brand focused on crafting complex, high-precision watches—like minute repeaters and chronographs—establishing its reputation as a master of horology.

Known for innovation as much as tradition, AP was one of the first to produce a minute-repeating wristwatch and pioneered skeletonized designs. During the quartz crisis of the 1970s, the brand boldly introduced the Royal Oak, redefining luxury sports watches and securing its place as an industry leader.

Today, Audemars Piguet continues to blend heritage with forward-thinking design. Still family-owned and independent, the brand remains committed to craftsmanship, creativity, and the enduring legacy of its founders.

What Makes Audemars Piguet Stand Out in the World of Luxury Watches?

Audemars Piguet holds a fascinating spot in high-end watchmaking—widely respected, yet still under the radar. It’s the kind of brand that serious collectors mention before the more familiar names like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, or Richard Mille. For true AP fans, there’s simply no comparison.

What makes this balance of quiet prestige and global recognition possible? It likely comes down to the brand’s distinctive journey and its role within the fine watchmaking landscape. While names like Patek Philippe often evoke an idea of timeless luxury, AP has carved its identity through bold moves, technical breakthroughs, and a design language that speaks to those who know their watches inside and out.

In short, Audemars Piguet isn’t just another luxury brand—it’s a statement of refined taste, horological appreciation, and a love for innovation rooted in tradition.

A Closer Look at Audemars Piguet’s Signature Models

Audemars Piguet's line includes several exceptional timepieces that highlight the brand's dedication to creativity and exquisite craftsmanship. 

Every model, from the iconic Royal Oak with its instantly identifiable design to the daring and daring Royal Oak Offshore, contributes a distinct chapter to AP's extraordinary history and tells its own tale. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Launched in 1972, the Royal Oak became the first luxury sports watch in stainless steel. It featured Gérald Genta’s bold octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and signature Tapisserie dial, redefined the look and feel of high-end timepieces.

Over the years, the collection has expanded to include various sizes, materials like gold, titanium, ceramic, and complications such as chronographs and perpetual calendars. Despite these updates, the Royal Oak has stayed true to its roots with exceptional finishing and design.

Modern versions feature upgraded movements and improved wearability. The Royal Oak's popularity among collectors—especially for rare or vintage models—keeps it at the top of AP’s lineup.

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

With a bigger case and improved water resistance, the Royal Oak Offshore, introduced in 1993, provided the iconic Royal Oak with a more formidable appearance. Emmanuel Gueit designed it, and because of its brash and gruff appearance, it was known as "The Beast."

Contemporary Offshore versions highlight AP's innovative use of rubber, forged carbon, and ceramic materials. The range blends luxury and durability, from sophisticated chronographs and tourbillons to high-performance dive watches.

The Offshore stands out in the market for upscale sports watches thanks to special editions, partnerships, and continuous movement technology and case design improvements.

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept

The Royal Oak Concept line, which was unveiled in 2002 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak, is Audemars Piguet's most avant-garde timepieces. The initial model, which introduced AP's most innovative designs, had a striking case made of Alacrite 602, a high-performance alloy used in aerospace.

Every Concept model displays cutting-edge design and technology. From the minimal RD#2 Perpetual Calendar to the crystal-clear chime of the Supersonnerie, these timepieces push the envelope. They are made of cutting-edge materials like titanium, ceramic, and carbon composites, and they have futuristic displays and exceptional time-telling capabilities.

These small-quantity watches are the outcome of years of research and development, frequently culminating in patented inventions. The Royal Oak Concept series honors AP's legacy while fusing excellent watchmaking with high-tech vision.

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Audemars Piguet Code 11.59

First introduced in 2019, the Code 11.59 series is a daring and contemporary contribution to Audemars Piguet's heritage. Its intricate design, which includes an octagonal central case set inside a round bezel, aims to reinvent the classic round watch.

Its carefully openworked lugs and double-curved sapphire crystal add even more sophistication to its modern design. Chronographs, tourbillons, and perpetual calendars are among the Code 11.59 watches highlighting AP's inventiveness and horological know-how.

The brand's commitment to accuracy and craftsmanship is demonstrated by the fact that in-house calibers power each watch.

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Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars

The Jules Audemars series honors the traditional history of exquisite Swiss watchmaking and is named after one of the brand's founders. These clocks, first introduced in 1991, are renowned for their circular cases, subtle displays, and intricate features, including minute repeaters and perpetual calendars.

They are frequently made of precious metals and are exquisite, sophisticated, and opulent. Even though the line has been discontinued, Jules Audemars watches are still highly prized for their classic design and superb mechanical engineering.

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Audemars Piguet Edward Piguet

The rectangular case design and vintage-inspired aesthetics of the Edward Piguet line, which reflects Art Deco elegance, make it stand out. These timepieces highlight symmetry, intricate guilloché dials, and conventional complexities like chronographs and perpetual calendars.

Models by Edward Piguet, which are made of pricey materials like gold and platinum, provide a more elegant and formal substitute for AP's sportier collections. Because of their intricate design and historical value, these items are still collectible even though they are no longer manufactured. 

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Audemars Piguet Millenary

The Millenary series, introduced in 1995, honors architectural innovation and timekeeping expertise. The oval case frames off-center dials and visible mechanical components, drawing inspiration from Roman amphitheaters.

These watches are commonly characterized by intricate complexities, hand-finishing, and a layered dial construction that lends depth and dimension. The Millenary range, including men's and women's models, demonstrates AP's dedication to cutting-edge design and technological innovation.

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Audemars Piguet Huitième

The Huitième collection, introduced in the 1980s, blends classical design with modern functionality. It features larger case sizes, integrated bracelets, and complications such as chronographs and moonphases. 

Huitième, meaning "eighth" in French, symbolizes a new chapter in the brand’s evolution. These timepieces offer a vintage charm with robust performance, making them popular among collectors who appreciate the transitional era of watchmaking between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary styling.

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Audemars Piguet [RE]Master

The [RE]Master series reinterprets Audemars Piguet’s historic designs with a modern twist. First introduced in 2020, this line revives classic mid-20th-century chronographs using advanced watchmaking techniques and contemporary materials. 

The watches retain vintage aesthetics such as teardrop lugs and two-tone cases, while incorporating modern movements with flyback chronograph functions and precision engineering. 

Limited in production, the [RE]Master series bridges the gap between AP’s rich past and its innovative future.

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Why Choose Luxury Time NYC to Buy an Audemars Piguet Watch

Long regarded as the epitome of exquisite watchmaking, Audemars Piguet has a history of audacious invention, superb craftsmanship, and an unwavering quest for excellence. Each creation demonstrates the brand's dedication to pushing the boundaries of horological craftsmanship, from the revolutionary design of the Royal Oak to the contemporary intricacies featured in the Code 11.59 line.

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