Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

• Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon 40th Anniversary Limited Edition

The Royal Oak turns 40 in 2012. To celebrate this anniversary as it rightly deserves, the Manufacture in Le Brassus is unveiling the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon, a variation combining horological complexity, modern styling and a sporting temperament. In light of its exceptional nature, this platinum anniversary edition is issued in a 40-piece limited series.

• Royal Oak Quartz 33 mm

This dainty 33 mm-diameter model represents a return to roots, meaning to the pure aesthetic and powerful lines of the original Royal Oak. The case middle, the bezel set with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds, the crown, the bracelet and the folding clasp are all made of steel. The subtle interplay of alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces characterising the first Royal Oak watches accentuate the clear-cut lines of this 33 mm model; while the eight hexagonal screws on the octagonal bezel are in white gold, just as they were on the original watch in 1972. The case is water-resistant to 50 metres and fitted with a glareproofed sapphire crystal. The bracelet is seamlessly integrated with the case and features the collection’s unmistakable aesthetic, characterised by perfectly assembled links and studs arranged in progressively diminishing order of size. It is secured by a new Audemars Piguet triple-blade folding clasp distinguished by a double-safety fastening system.

• Royal Oak Chronograph 41 mm

To celebrate 40 years of ongoing success for the first prestige sports watch, Audemars Piguet therefore presents its famous Royal Oak Chronograph in a new size suited to current trends. The case of the Royal Oak Chronograph now features a 41 mm diameter ensuring enhanced legibility. This 41 mm Royal Oak Chronograph houses Calibre 2385, a mechanical selfwinding movement driving hour and minute hands, small seconds, a date display and the chronograph functions. 304-part Calibre 2385 has a 40-hour power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz). The monobloc oscillating weight is made of 18-carat gold.

• Royal Oak Selfwinding 41 mm

This new Royal Oak Selfwinding 41 mm beats to the rhythm of Audemars Piguet Calibre 3120, a mechanical selfwinding movement driving hour, minute and seconds hands as well as a window-type date display. 280-part Calibre 3120 has a 60-hour power reserve and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz). The monobloc oscillating weight is made of 22-carat gold.

• Self-winding Millenary watch

Drawing upon the impressive range of expertise built up by Audemars Piguet, this new Millenary watch is enriching a classic yet architectural line that already includes such exceptional models as the Tradition d’Excellence N°5, MC 12, Deadbeat Seconds, MC One, and the more recent Minute Repeater. The generous volume provided by the oval shape of its case serves to magnify the three-dimensional movement construction that thereby perpetuates the family likeness established by its predecessors. Nonetheless, above and beyond the initial impression of technical beauty and sophistication, this watch naturally sparks curiosity. The watchmakers of Le Brassus have achieved the feat of actually bringing a movement to the wrist, rather than just a watch in the conventional sense. There is indeed no need to turn the watch over to admire its interior through the sapphire crystal, since the new Calibre 4101 has been literally “turned upside down” to reveal its inner workings through the front of the watch.

• Millenary hand-wound Minute Repeater with Audemars Piguet escapement

The audible indication of the time, initially created to “tell” the time in the dark in an age when electricity had not yet been invented, is the oldest of all horological complications. Audemars Piguet has made it part of its fundamental identity, by creating minute repeater and grand strike models right from the time of its founding in 1875. The new Millenary Minute Repeater model is in direct line with this tradition. This exceptional watch with its oval case and three-dimensional architecture reveals the essentials of its refined movement: a new AP escapement, a double balance-spring, as well as the striking mechanism and its gongs.

• Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph

A 100% in-house made movement

Calibre 2897 is a selfwinding movement entirely developed and produced by Audemars Piguet. 

The peripheral oscillating weight

Automatic winding is ensured by a peripheral oscillating weight in 950 platinum, mounted on ball bearings. This choice serves to shift the weight of the rotor to the outer edge of the movement, thereby improving winding speed. Moreover, because of its position on the periphery of the movement, it does not increase the overall thickness. It also offers the additional aesthetic advantage of entirely freeing up the reverse side of the  movement and thus providing full views of the  mechanism, and particularly its column wheel, through the transparent back of the watch.

• Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph

This is anticipated to be the last watch in the series created by Schwarzenegger and Audemars Piguet.

Since the collaboration debuted in 1999, the sale of these timepieces has also raised many millions of dollars and brought awareness to After-School All-Stars, a charitable organisation founded in 1992 by Schwarzenegger.

The Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph is issued in a 1,500-piece limited edition, each engraved on the back with the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy. It is the first Audemars Piguet watch to feature an all-ceramic 48-millimeter case middle and bezel.

Read the article from the HH Magazine, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph.

• Jules Audemars Selfwinding

In 2011, Audemars Piguet has entirely reviewed the fundamentals of the Jules Audemars collection, its moon-phase calendar and dual timezone models, as well as its simple selfwinding watches including those with a date display. The Jules Audemars selfwinding watch comes in three different interpretations: pink gold with silver-toned or black dial, and white gold with a silver-toned dial. Each may be adorned with a diamond-set bezel to create three additional versions. All feature a round case, a streamlined bezel and an understated dial.

The Millenary Carbon One has emerged straight from Audemars Piguet’s cutting-edge research laboratory. This special development unit combines the finest talents – engineers, designers and watchmakers – from both of the company’s production sites in Le Brassus and Le Locle. Its mission consists in exploring advanced technical paths in order to ensure 100% in-house conception, prototype creation and production of exclusive movements that are a perfect match for their exterior. The Millenary Carbon One, a limited series of 120 watches, has just emerged from this hotbed of creativity. It is freely inspired by motor sports and their extraordinary ultra-light high-performance speed machines, while adopting the oval shape of the Millenary as a spectacular playground. Its key strengths include a three-dimensional design, innovative materials, and a 100% proprietary movement equipped with a tourbillon, a chronograph and a 10-day power reserve.

• Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar

Today, the Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar is making its grand entrance into the collection with an 18-carat pink gold case, teamed according to personal preference with a brown or silvered dial.

The perpetual calendar mechanism admirably reproduces the specific features of our Gregorian calendar, taking into account the irregular lengths of the 30- and 31-day months by means of a cam – itself connected to a wheel – bearing the different monthly durations. Another wheel on the same axis, which carries a cam indicating a normal month of February and a leap-year February, performs one full revolution in four years and thus enables the watch to keep track of the leap-year cycle. This means the Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar will not require any correction until March 1st 2100. All that will be required on this date is to activate the correctors placed on the side of the case, and the mechanism will be duly readjusted for another century.

• Jules Audemars Extra-Thin

This year, the Jules Audemars collection welcomes an elegant new version featuring an understated design inspired by the Reference 5271 model created to mark the launch of the extra-thin Calibre 2120.

Featuring contemporary dimensions and sleek, pure lines, this timepiece proudly displays its beating heart, the timeless movement introduced in 1967 and considered by many specialists as “the world’s most beautiful self-winding movement”. Calibre 2120, entirely designed, developed and crafted by the Manufacture Audemars Piguet, is an integral part of the history and the legend that forged the brand’s reputation in the field of extra-thin mechanical movements.

At less than 7 mm thick, the new Jules Audemars watch is entirely in line with this continuity.

• Millenary Quincy Jones

• Millenary Tourbillon

• Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph

• Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph

The steel and rubber basic models will delight purists looking for a sporting look perfectly suited to their wrist – with a 37 mm-diameter case – and free of any frills. Exit diamonds! Then come those with a gem-set bezel, designed for refined women with a strong and slightly impertinent nature. And in the ultimate version, steel gives way to white gold on a black chronograph adorned with the fiery sparkle of hundreds of diamonds.

These unashamedly sporty models are the first 37 mm Royal Oak Offshore chronographs to turn their noses up at diamonds.

• Royal Oak Equation of Time

• Royal Oak Offshore Lady Black&White

• Royal Oak Offshore Diver

Geared for extreme conditions

The Swiss watch industry norms (NIHS) that also comply with international standards lay down a certain number of specific criteria that must be met by a watch if it is to be termed a “diver’s watch”.

Time preselection device

The NIHS 92-11 norm (cor responding to ISO 6425) calls for a time preselection device. Moreover, in order to prevent any reading errors , the latter mus t be protected against any unintentional rot ation. The Royal Oak Off shore Diver is equipped with a diving scale on an inner rotating dial ring that is activated via a unidirectional click mechanism linked to the 10 o’clock crown. The wearer can only turn the device by deliberately unscrewing the crown. Since this is an inner dial ring rather than a rotating bezel, the case middle also serves as a rampart to protect the rotation mechanism. In compliance with the 92-11 norm, the device features a minutes scale on which five-minute periods are clearly highlighted.

Visibility

The time, the time measured on the inner dial ring and the movement oper at ing indi cat ion must be readable in the dark from a distance of 25 cm. The dial of the Roy al Oak Off shore Diver has been duly optimised to meet this requirement.

Finally, displaying the diving scale as close as possible to the dial minimises the risk of accident ally modifying the dive time, and also facilitates dive-time readings.

Water tightness and resistance to salt water

The 92-11 norm demands water tightness to at least 100 metres .

Antimagnetic property, resistance to shocksand to thermal variations

The movement of the Royal Oak Offshore Diver is protected by an antimagnetic strongbox - type case construction.

Resistance to external forces

The attachments must be able to withstand forces of up to 200 N.

• Jules Audemars Watch with Audemars Piguet Escapement

The Audemars Piguet escapement presented in 2006 is certainly living up to its promises. It operates lubricant-free, ensures excellent efficiency and guarantees superior shock-resistance. Within its new showcase with a three-dimensional design, it even exceeds expectations in that its technical performances are combined with an exceptional frequency of 43,200 vibrations per hour! By thus oscillating twice as fast as normal, the balance ensures enhanced timekeeping and improved reliability of the movement.

• Jules Audemars Chronograph

A newcomer finds its place within the prestigious classic Audemars Piguet collections: the Jules Audemars self-winding chronograph. The design of its dial evokes the 1920s, lending a vintage touch that contributes to its sporty yet classic aesthetic appeal. This first chronograph in the Jules Audemars collection beats to the rhythm of an exclusive self-winding movement representing a whole new generation of movements.

• Royal Oak Tuxedo Collection

Audemars Piguet rolls out the red carpet for its iconic Royal Oak collection and presents a sparkling couple: a pair of watches transformed by the splendour of Haute Joaillerie.

• Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph

When first created in 1972, the Royal Oak overturned existing fine watchmaking codes and asserted itself as the first high-end sports watch. Twenty years later, the famous octagon was reinterpreted in an extreme sports version that became the Royal Oak Offshore collection – the start of an ongoing success story. The latter is now being enriched with new dials in unusual colours and appears equipped with the exclusive self-winding Calibre 3126/3840.

• Millenary Chalcedony Tourbillon

In 2001, the Edward Piguet tourbillon was equipped with a rutilated quartz mainplate. In 2005, the adventure continued with a moss agate version. Chalcedony, a mineral featuring delicate bluish tints, now stars in the latest introduction to the Millenary collection. The Millenary Chalcedony Tourbillon is distinguished by its openworked chalcedony mainplate, a skeleton movement enhanced by a tourbillon and diamond-set rings, along with a full-set pink gold oval case and a stingray leather strap.

• Millenary Chronograph

Since its renewal in 2006, the Millenary collection has been regularly enriched with new timepieces: a complete range of self-winding watches; several prestigious editions such as the Millenary MC12 Tourbillon and Chronograph or the Cabinet No. 5 in the Tradition d’Excellence collection; along with the Millenary with deadbeat seconds. However, a chronograph was definitely lacking in this range – a gap that has now been filled with this new model that is writing a fresh chapter in the fascinating story of the Millenary.

• Royal Oak Offshore Ladies’ Chronograph

A part-matt, part-shiny, resolutely high-tech black colour stemming from the combination of forged carbon, ceramics and rubber; a few red touches and a diamond-set bezel. Mix in a boldly assertive size, the peerless style of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, and you get the Royal Oak Offshore ladies’ chronograph, chic and sporty.

• Montre Millenary Pianoforte Watch

In 2008, Audemars Piguet is once again giving pride of place to its Millenary collection. Shining in the spotlights, the Millenary Pianoforte watch gets us swinging to the sound of its lively rhythms. Graced with a dial featuring a piano key motif, it comes in two versions, with or without diamonds. To help it beat perfect time, this model is equipped with selfwinding Calibre 3120.

Reference of the model presented: 15326BC.ZZ.D600CR.01

• Jules Audemars Jumping Hour Minute Repeater

The hours sing out once more on the new Jules Audemars watch from Audemars Piguet. They also dance across the dial with its jumping display and elegant blued Arabic numerals. Combining two in-house specialities - the Minute Repeater and Jumping Hours - this marvel of precision and harmony perpetuates Audemars Piguet's supreme expertise in the field of complicated watches. With its case and dial featuring a new take on classical styling, it gives a fresh boost to the Jules Audemars collection. This delightful new model will be music to the ears of connoisseurs the world over.

• Millenary Starlit Sky Collection

The perpetual course of the sun, moon and stars, the dance of the seasons, the mystery of the moon, the flaming glow of the sun, the alternation of day and night... the sky has forever inspired artists. For watchmakers, the sky is also a perpetual source of inspiration. Their attentive observations of the moon and the sun gave rise to the first units of time measurements, the first calendars, the first clocks. Today, Audemars Piguet pays tribute to the beauties of the sky by creating the Millenary Starlit Sky collection: two watches dedicated to the depths of the night  and a third dedicated to the clear light of day. Three timepieces which celebrate “Le Temps Ovale” expressed through particularly poetic complex mechanisms.
And because many women appreciate the subtleties of mechanical watchmaking, the Millenary Starlit Sky is equipped with the particularly innovative Calibre 3120 movement developed by Audemars Piguet. In this version (3123/3908), it also incorporates the complex power-reserve and moon-phase mechanisms. By choosing to highlight the sky and all the stories its constellations have to tell, Audemars Piguet has found an infinitely poetic way of reminding us that time is determined first and foremost by... the celestial luminaries.

• Millenary watch with deadbeat seconds

Starring the Audemars Piguet escapement
The brand from Le Brassus draws all eyes by creating a new setting for its revolutionary escapement mechanism first introduced in 2006: the pink gold Millenary watch with deadbeat seconds. Showcasing the exceptional expertise of Audemars Piguet, this creation with its surprising design admirably embodies the inventive traditions of the watchmakers from the Vallée de Joux.

• Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph

Lightness and resistance were the key goals targeted both by the Alinghi architects and by the creators of the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph, which is why both sets of experts opted for an exceptional material: carbon. The hull and sails of Class America boats owe their lightness to the use of carbon fibre. In turn, the watchmakers in Le Brassus, after taking a close interest in the aeronautical industry and pursuing their investigations, discovered a new concept applying forging technology to machining carbon and resulting in forged carbon. Its superior mechanical performances and chemical stability, combined with excellent shock-resistance and lightness, determined the choice of forged carbon as the most innovative material suited to the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph. Two other materials enjoy pride of place in this new chronograph: rubber and ceramics, borrowed from the automobile and aeronautical industries, used for the strap and the pushers. In addition to the version distinguished by an all forged carbon case, the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph is also available with a forged carbon bezel on a pink gold or platinum case. While extremely pleasant to wear in everyday life because of its light feel on the wrist, this timepiece is also a precious instrument for regattas enthusiasts and devotees of sailing competitions. To fulfil the latter role, it is equipped with a “flyback” chronograh function and a regatta countdown aperture, two devices perfectly tailored to the complex procedure of America's Cup race starts.