If you are interested in buying Audemars Piguet watches, but want to learn more about this luxury watch brand first, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will provide you with an overview of the company itself, while also answering frequently asked questions. At the same time, we understand that understanding different models can cause confusion, so we will also provide information about some of the most popular models in the AP catalog.
Why is Audemars Piguet unique compared to other brands?
Some people are completely new to Audemars Piguet, so it’s worth starting by exploring what makes the brand special and why AP watches are so valued. Despite the lack of awareness of brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet is still part of the “Big Three” of the Swiss watch industry, also known as the “Trinity of Luxury Watch Brands.” The company is known for creating beautiful and innovative mechanical watches of the highest quality.
Audemars Piguet’s history and popularity at a glance
Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet is recognized as one of the world’s top luxury watch brands. The company is headquartered in Le Brasus, Switzerland, and is known for the fact that it started as an independent family business and has continued to this day. Many watches of the brand are extremely limited, which provides a unique feel to each watch and also helps increase their value.
Most AP watches have an octagonal shape, which helps to make them easier to identify, although not every model is the case, as the “code 11.59” series proves this. The brand also enjoys a reputation for innovation. As early as 1892, it created the first minute repeater movement for watches, and in 1934 developed the first skeletonized watch. Famous wearers include Tom Cruise, LeBron James, Lionel Messi and Kim Kardashian.
What is the price of an entry-level AP fake watch?
Generally speaking, we are not keen on naming prices in blog posts because prices can change significantly in a relatively short period of time. Of course, the price of AP watches also depends entirely on the relevant model and its manufacturing materials.
Many Audemars Piguet timepieces have waiting lists, especially for popular entry-level options, such as the stainless steel Royal Oak model. Although the waiting list for some watch brands may take a year or two, you can read online luxury watch forums to find users who have been waiting for AP watches for five to eight years.
Are Audemars Piguet’s watches better than Rolex?
It is best not to make too many comparisons between the materials and machinery of the two brands. Personal preference will also be a major factor when comparing pure design features. But in all fairness, Rolex and Audemars Piguet are generally considered to be two of the world’s three largest watchmakers. You can rest assured that no matter which brand you choose, the quality will be excellent.
One thing to understand is that Audemars Piguet usually starts with the pricing of the most popular Rolex watches. In this sense, it can be said that Audemars Piguet is higher than Rolex in the value of luxury goods and watches. On the other hand, Rolex is a more recognized brand, which means that casual observers are more likely to see a Rolex watch and immediately appreciate that it is a luxury watch.
Having said that, Audemars Piguet has some stunning gold and rose gold styles, and the brand also offers more open or “hollow” watches. The priorities of the two brands are also different. For example, although Audemars Piguet does provide waterproof watches, and even dive watches in the form of Royal Oak Offshore Diver, these models do not have the level of functionality of Rolex Submariner, for example.
At the same time, Rolex is unlikely to spend time perfecting the sound of the minute repeater. The best way to understand it is not to treat one of the two brands as excellence, but to treat it as two super high-quality brands with different priorities. Therefore, their designs and functions may attract slightly different customers.
Audemars Piguet movement clockwork
Before delving into the various designs, functions and complications, it is necessary to talk about the true charm of Audemars Piguet. Unlike Rolex, which specializes in producing self-winding watches, Audemars Piguet offers a wider range of choices. Although most AP watches are also self-winding, there are also some manual-winding models, and even AP models with battery-powered quartz movements.
It is worth noting that AP is not a complete outlier here. Patek Philippe is another example of a watch brand offering a similar range of movements. However, this is a way for the brand to distinguish itself from Rolex.
Different Audemars Piguet watch variants:
In this part of the Audemars Piguet buying guide, we will take a closer look at the different series that exist in the AP catalog so that you have a clearer understanding of which model to buy and why.
Most AP models carry the “Royal Oak” name, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was first introduced in 1972 and in the process became the world’s first stainless steel luxury sports watch. Today, the Associated Press sells Royal Oak models for men and women in various sizes. The most common models are between 33mm and 41mm, but some are as large as 44mm.
Classic Royal Oak automatic winding
The classic Royal Oak features index dial logo and has a date display at 3 o’clock. It has the iconic eight-sided bezel of the series, with exposed screws and an octagonal crown on the right. However, in this series, there are many different options in terms of watch materials.
Small seconds Royal Oak
If you believe that every second is important, you may want to buy a Royal Oak with an extra “small seconds” dial. This will be at the 6 o’clock position of the watch.
Similarly, you will have a variety of materials to choose from. It is also important to note that most small seconds Royal Oak models will also be equipped with a series of additional complications. With this in mind, to find the Royal Oak model that best suits your needs, it is worth considering other complications you might want.
Royal Oak Chronograph
If you are looking for a luxury stopwatch, you can choose the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph. Most chronographs are easy to identify because in addition to the crown on the right side of the watch, they usually have two other buttons, usually located above and below the crown. A chronograph is similar to any stop watch, but with greater elegance. An equivalent Rolex model is the Rolex Daytona.
Due to the additional buttons, the chronograph is usually larger than other timepieces. In addition, the dial usually looks busier or more crowded because it will have three sub dials. On these models, the date display window is located between the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions, although due to the positioning of the sub-dial, it is usually not at the exact midpoint between the two. Some Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs do solve this problem and make the appearance neater.
Royal Oak Jumbo ultra-thin
The Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin model was considered a large model when it was first launched, hence the name. However, their diameter is 39 mm, and according to modern standards, they can be considered a fairly modest size, although large enough to be completely legible and small enough to retain their elegance.
Part of the definition of Jumbo Extra Thin models is their ultra-thin movement, which makes ultra-thin watch cases possible. The result is a luxury sports watch that can be easily used as a formal watch and is very comfortable to wear on the wrist. If you are looking for refined, low-key options, the models in this series may be the ideal choice.
Royal Oak hollow “skeleton”
As mentioned earlier in this guide, Audemars Piguet developed the first luxury skeleton watch in 1934, and the skeleton or skeleton design has been a fixture in the brand’s watch catalog ever since. Examples of hollow tables and hollow tables can be found in the main Royal Oak series, Royal Oak Offshore series and other series.
The main attraction of a hollow watch or a hollow watch is the ability to see the inner workings. Therefore, if you are interested in the technical aspects of luxury watchmaking, these represent an excellent choice for AP watches.
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
The day and date display is relatively common on modern luxury timepieces, one of the more obvious examples is Rolex Day-Date. However, unlike most other models, the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar model simultaneously displays the day of the week, date, month, and astronomical moon phase.
In addition, the outer ring of the watch is used as a day of the week display, with 52 dial markers to help indicate which week of the year you are currently in. The date display also includes a leap year indicator. These models are available in a variety of materials including stainless steel, rose gold, gold and ceramics.
Tourbillon AP watch
The tourbillon is a mechanically complex device that can be found in the movements of some high-end luxury watches, including various Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak offshore models. This complication was originally designed to improve the accuracy of pocket watches. It uses a rotating frame to mount the escapement and balance wheel. The initial idea was that this would reduce the negative impact of gravity on timing accuracy.
Although the demand for tourbillons in modern watches has been greatly reduced, this complication is still popular among luxury watch lovers and is sometimes regarded as one of the best examples of watchmaking art. For this reason, the Audemars Piguet Tourbillon watch is open, allowing you to actually see the tourbillon.
Minute Repeater Supersonic
For buyers who like the sound of a pendulum, such as the sound of a pendulum seen in a grand ducal clock, the Audemars Piguet Minute Repeater Supersonnerie model may be exactly what you are looking for.
This unique and ingenious Swiss design enables the Royal Oak watch to emit a clear sound, indicating the time to the wearer. The watches in this particular series are popular with traditionalists and those who love excellent watchmakers. However, the prices of these models are very high.
Major complications
To be part of the Audemars Piguet Grande Complications series, a timepiece must have two to three special features or functions at the same time. Most commonly, this means including a two-second chronograph, a minute repeater and a perpetual calendar, showing the day of the week, date, month, and moon phase.
The Associated Press released the first Grande Complication watch in 1996 and has become the brand’s trademark for many years. These models are particularly popular with buyers, who value the skills and technical excellence of making luxury timepieces with multiple complications.
Royal Oak Offshore
The Royal Oak Offshore series was launched in 1992 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the birth of the main Royal Oak series. Since then, these watches have become one of the most popular watches in the entire AP catalog.
The models in this series retain some key features of Royal Oak, such as the octagonal shape, but their core design is also more sporty and bulky. Part of the reason for the increase in size is that the Royal Oak Offshore is also a chronograph, allowing you to benefit from the stopwatch function.
Royal Oak Offshore Diver
In addition to the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, you can also find the Royal Oak Offshore Diver series. As the name suggests, these timepieces are designed to fully consider the needs of professional divers. Therefore, in addition to diving time measurement, it also provides a waterproof function up to 300m deep.
From a visual point of view, these watches are actually easy to identify because they do not have buttons related to the timing function. Instead, a gas release valve can be found at the 10 o’clock position on the outer edge.
Royal Oak Concept
The Royal Oak concept is an ultra-modern reimagining of the classic Royal Oak design. It was launched in 2002 to help Audemars Piguet bring Royal Oak aesthetics into the 21st century.
The watches in this series use cases up to 44 mm in diameter and focus on more unusual materials such as titanium, ceramics, and rubber. Most models are open-ended, allowing you to see a high level of effort and craftsmanship through internal work. However, the overall quantity is low, so the price tends to be higher.
Audemars Piguet code 11.59
A common mistake that some people make is that every Audemars Piguet watch has the brand’s trademark octagonal design. However, in fact, the Associated Press also sells a series of classic dress watches, they all have a more traditional appearance-Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 series.
In many ways, this particular series can be compared with the Rolex Cellini series, it breaks the traditional appearance of Rolex watches. The most basic model in the Code 11.59 series has a date display window and simple functions, while other options have chronograph and tourbillon complications and an open design.
AP rubber wristband
One aspect of purchasing an Audemars Piguet model that may surprise you is that many Royal Oak Offshore models are equipped with rubber wrist straps. Logically speaking, because rubber is not as valuable as the other options, this may not seem appropriate, but this option exists for a number of key reasons.
First of all, comfort is an important consideration, because some people don’t like the feel of metal wristbands. Of course, leather is a possible substitute, but this is out of ethical considerations, and leather may also be more prone to signs of wear. In contrast, rubber is comfortable, flexible and relatively easy to clean. At the same time, it also helps to increase the sporty look associated with the Royal Oak Offshore series. mens replica watch