Audemars Piguet: A Brief History
Audemars Piguet was established in 1875 in Le Brassus, Vallée de Joux. Descendants of both founding families remain on the board today, making AP the oldest fine-watch manufacture in continuous family ownership.
Royal Oak (1972)
Designed by Gérald Genta in a single overnight session in 1971 and launched at Baselworld 1972, the Royal Oak (ref. 5402ST) was the first luxury sports watch in stainless steel, priced higher than gold dress watches of its day. Its octagonal bezel with eight visible hex screws and integrated tapisserie-dial bracelet defined a new design vocabulary.
Royal Oak Offshore and beyond
1993: Royal Oak Offshore (ref. 25721ST) by Emmanuel Gueit - a larger, sportier interpretation that opened a new market segment. 2002: Royal Oak Concept, an experimental tourbillon platform for new materials and complications.
Key facts
- ▸Founded 1875 in Le Brassus
- ▸Royal Oak launched at Baselworld 1972
- ▸Oldest continuously family-owned haute-horlogerie manufacture