Five Reasons You Should Own An Audemars Piguet Watch!

AUDEMARS PIGUET IS A TRADITIONAL WATCHMAKER

Despite its heritage and global popularity, the luxury brand is still operated by members of the Audemars and Piguet families, making it the oldest watch manufacturer to still be family run. The values of the founding families are echoed in production: every AP watch is manufactured in Switzerland by a relatively small team, using traditional old-fashioned hand-made techniques. Such a non-automated production process also allows them to provide a bespoke service – if you would like a customised strap, for example, AP will happily oblige.

AUDEMARS PIGUET ARE TECHNICAL INNOVATORS

A watchmaker’s reputation is often built on its approach to innovation, and AP boast countless world firsts and records. In 1915, it created the smallest five-minute repeater movement of all time, in 1946 it produced the smallest hand-wound movement for a wristwatch, and in 1986 it revealed the first ultra-thin self winding tourbillon movement – still the smallest ever made. The ultra-rare Jules Audemars Clinton Foundation Equation of Time watch that was released in 2007 is a more recent example of the brand's daring innovation, as it’s capable of displaying sunrise and sunset times, a perpetual calendar and astronomical moon movements.

THE AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK IS A CLASSIC

Many luxury manufacturers produce stainless steel sports watches these days, but AP was the first to do so in 1972, when it launched the Royal Oak. Characterised by its Guilloché dial, octagonal bezel secured with oversize screws and exclusive Audemars Piguet Calibre 3120 movement, the Royal Oak is an instantly recognisable and world-renowned luxury piece. The Royal Oak Offshore is an even sportier version of the standard piece, with 100m water resistance, scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass, anti-magnetic protection and a chunkier 42mm case (3mm bigger than the original version).

LIMITED-EDITION AUDEMARS PIGUET PIECES ARE HIGHLY COLLECTABLE

In addition to its standard collection, Audemars Piguet has produced a number of limited-edition pieces in celebration of sportspeople, celebrities and major sporting events. Formula One driver Jarno Trulli and cricketer Sachin Tedulkar are but a few of the sportsmen to have Royal Oak Offshore pieces created in their honour, while music legend Quincy Jones has a Millenary collection piece, limited to a run of just 500. These personalised collections are often worth far more than their standard counterparts due to their limited runs.

AUDEMARS PIGUET IS POPULAR WITH THE RICH AND FAMOUS

Thanks to the brand's exclusivity and superior craftsmanship, many successful public figures are keen to show their affiliation with Audemars Piguet. Frank Lampard and actor Patrick Dempsey have been spotted with their APs on numerous occasions, and rappers Jay-Z, Tinie Tempah and Lil’ Wayne have all name-dropped the Swiss company in their hits. What’s more, when an Audemars Piguet was used in the TV show Entourage, it was described as "possibly, the finest timepiece known to man". A fitting description for an exceptional brand.

Audemars Piguet watches are available at TIME² Selfridges.