Audemars Piguet, that’s a name that’s known all over the world, especially when folks talk about fancy watches. Now, this company wasn’t always a big deal. It started back in 1875 by two fellas—Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet. They set up shop in this little place called Brassus, in the Vallée de Joux, right there in Switzerland. I reckon they didn’t know it at the time, but they was starting something mighty big.
Over time, Audemars Piguet became a member of what the watch folks call the “Holy Trinity” of watchmaking, a group that’s got the very best of the best. These fellas worked hard, and they built a brand known for being just as old as it is fancy. And trust me, when you think about luxury watches, Audemars Piguet is one of the names folks will drop like it’s nothing. By 2022, the great-granddaughter of one of the founders, Jasmine Audemars, was running the whole show, being the head of the board till she stepped down.
But now, don’t go thinking this company just got lucky. No sir, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. At first, the company didn’t make waves like it does now. It took many, many years to get to where it is today, and every step along the way was built on that good, old-fashioned craftsmanship. Audemars Piguet didn’t just make watches, they created pieces of art that ticked. The first big thing they did was invent the minute repeater wristwatch back in 1892. Now, a minute repeater, that’s a watch that can chime the time for you, real fancy stuff. Then by 1899, they made a pocket watch with a whole bunch of complicated features. It had a minute repeater, an alarm, a calendar that kept going forever, and even a chronograph with split-second hands. Talk about showing off!
Through the years, Audemars Piguet kept at it. They didn’t just rest on their laurels. They wanted to be the best, and that meant keeping quality up while still pushing the limits of what a watch could do. Over time, the company also started using a special engraving on the back of their watches. They call it the “AP case number,” and it’s unique to every watch they make. This little engraving is like a fingerprint, showing when the watch was made. They’ve been doing this since 1972, and it helps folks figure out how old their timepiece is.
Now, let’s talk about why Audemars Piguet is so special. See, they don’t just make watches by the thousands like some other brands. Oh no, they keep it limited. Every year, they only make about 40,000 watches. That’s right, just 40,000! This means their watches stay rare and special. It’s one of the reasons why they’re considered so high-end. They want every watch to be perfect, so they’re picky about how many they produce. And that’s different from other watchmakers like Rolex, who’ve been around for a while too.
So, that’s the story of Audemars Piguet in a nutshell. They’ve gone from humble beginnings to becoming a giant in the world of luxury watches. Their story isn’t just about fancy timepieces—it’s about dedication, craftsmanship, and never settling for less than the best. That’s why, even today, when people talk about luxury watches, Audemars Piguet is at the top of the list.
Tags：[Audemars Piguet, Swiss watches, luxury watches, history of Audemars Piguet, minute repeater, holy trinity watchmaking, Vallée de Joux, Swiss craftsmanship, luxury watch brands]
