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In 1875, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, two independent Swiss watchmakers, came together to form the company Audemars Piguet. They developed complex mechanisms that significantly improved watches’ precision at the time. In 1899, Audemars Piguet released their first pocket watch collection, the Grande Complication. This model marked the start of the growth of the company.
Audemars Piguet became well-known for its avant-garde style as the brand grew and innovated. In 1946, they released the thinnest watch with their 1.64-mm-thick movement, making watches lighter and more convenient. In 1972, Audemars Piguet redefined the watch market by releasing the Royal Oak, the first luxury sports watch.
Audemars Piguet is the perfect brand for experienced collectors looking for high-end luxury watches with unique, innovative designs.
AP’s luxury sports watch, the Royal Oak, successfully popularised the Audemars Piguet brand name. The watch features a classic octagonal bezel with a steel case. There are a variety of options for both dial and case materials. The dial also features a tapisserie pattern that gives the watch an even more premium feel. Utilising a robust design and light materials, Audemars Piguet created an automatic look that catches the eye of the luxury market while remaining sporty. This collection is still one of the most popular to date for AP.
Released in 1995, the newer Millenary collection features a much more ornate style. The elliptical design and off-centre dial allow the crystal to display components customarily hidden, such as rotors. This model further exemplifies Audemars Piguet’s avant-garde style with cutting-edge designs.
There are both automatic and manual wind options available for the Millenary. Another essential aspect of the high-end luxury watch is the highly detailed decorations with significant technical complexity on the watch case and bracelet.
| Collection | Reference Number | Market Price |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Oak | 15500ST | £39,550 |
| Royal Oak Offshore | 26470ST | £21,654 |
| Code 11.59 | 15210OR | £22,400 |
| Millenary | 15350ST | £12,635 |
| Jules Audemars | 15180OR | £12,723 |
| Royal Oak Concept | 26589IO | £160,082 |
| Classique | 25657BA | £15,395 |
Many AP models are more affordable in the pre-owned and used market, starting at around £5,000. The price is worth it for people looking for very high-end watches, as the decorations are incredibly detailed, and the designs are premium. However, the Royal Oak collection is well known for trading significantly over retail on the secondary market, with long dealer waitlists.
Audemars Piguet watches sell between £2,304 – £325,553 on the secondary market, with an average asking price of £41,526.
