If you’re interested in buying an Audemars Piguet watch but like to know more about the luxury timepiece brand first, you’ve come to the right place. 

Audemars Piguet, as a luxury watch brand, occupies an exciting position within the industry. It is almost always reduced to its initials AP, and it’s most famous for its world-class model, the Royal Oak.

If you want people to notice your watch, and in turn, your high-class status and style, look no further than Audemars Piguet. What can you expect? It’s one of the largest luxury watch brands in the world, next only to Rolex perhaps.

Many ambassadors adorn Audemars Piguet across the globe. With notable names including Tom Cruise, Serena Williams, and Juan Carlos I of Spain. If you want to be a part of greats in watchmaking history, find out more about the AP brand and how you can buy your first Audemars Piguet. 

Here we have the ultimate guide to buying your first Audemars Piguet; read on for more:

Audemars Piguet: A Brief History

Audemars Piguet began in the quaint Swiss village of Vallée De Joux in 1875. Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet were its founders as well as Childhood friends.

Audemars and Piguet tried their hands in watchmaking after Swiss farmers moved indoors. Why? Because they started focusing on artisan mechanics during the dark Winter months. 

As time passed, the brand grew to develop timeless and creative pieces. AP timepieces are perceived as ground-breaking in the watchmaking community.

Since its inception, Audemars Piguet remains a family-owned business. The company produces approximately 30-40,000 pieces each year. Sometimes they created timepieces with astounding numbers of complications like 1899; hence, they’re exclusive.

The company’s passion saw them creating revolutionary timepieces. Their luxury watches had astronomical features as well as mechanisms, chronographs that made them pioneers. The company achieved global success and became an active member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.

An Icon Among Icons

Audemars Piguet greets its new customers with its iconic Royal Oak model, a memorable classic. This watch redefined what it meant to be a luxury steel sports watch. The Patek Philippe Nautilus, justifiably its closest rival, came along four years later, and it was designed by the same man (Gérald Genta).

The Nautilus was perfectly refined, as some experts claim. Others believe Genta could never top the stroke of genius that brought the Royal Oak into the world. In turn, it gave rise to a new genre of luxury watches.

Audemars Piguet and The Luxury Watch Market

Audemars Piguet occupies a rather interesting position within the luxury watch industry. The Zeitgeist owns Rolex and Patek, and these names are calling cards of luxury. But, Audemars Piguet is less often featured on the wrists of athletes or in the lyrics of songs. 

How is it possible for AP to walk that line between international celebrity and family secret? Fans of the brand would mention it before Rolex, before Patek, before Hublot, Omega, and all the rest. In fact, for the die-hard fans out there, there’s only AP.

You see, this strange, almost dichotomous character has come about through a unique series of events. Maybe the role The Royal Oak creator plays in the broader watchmaking landscape is to thank for this. 

You should also know that Rolex is a well-known brand for its archetypal commodities; everyone knows about Rolex before knowing its models. That isn’t the case with AP. The series of watches that AP has is what defines it.


AP will suit your Budget

When it comes to collecting watches, it’s crucial that you know your budget. Try sticking to your budget and look for your favorite AP watch by staying on the extent of your investment. It is vital to purchase the best within your budget, as it is far better to opt for fewer, higher-quality timepieces than many lower-quality ones.

When valuing a timepiece, experts and watch aficionados will take into account the following details: the name of the watchmaker, the complexity of the timepiece, the metal, the notations of the case and the movement, and whether or not the case, dial, and movements match or if there’s potentially another form of “marriage.”

Finally, the expert will determine if there’s any association with famous people, sporting events, and automobiles, as well as the date of manufacturing also contribute to the timepiece’s value.

Audemars Piguet Models

  • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

The Royal Oak needs no introduction from us as it’s a watch of a different breed altogether. The Royal Oak is not just another globally renowned timepiece but a watch that changed the future for Audemars Piguet and the entire Swiss watchmaking industry. This watch is single-handedly credited for creating the luxury steel sports watch genre. The Royal Oak, as some argue, is the most aesthetic watch ever made and is even more impressive because Gerald Genta didn’t design the watch in one day.

  • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore is a testament to the legendary watchmaker’s skills and grit. The watch has some fantastic creations in its catalog. But none come even remotely close to the Royal Oak Offshore. With its sheer boldness and size, it can also manifest its vision into a reality. The Royal Oak Offshore collection offers watches in a wide variety of precious metals, alloys, rubber straps, and metal bracelets. The timepieces are host to numerous state-of-the-art complications.


  • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon

The Royal Oak Tourbillon is a timepiece initially released in 2012 in rose gold and stainless steel variants. Audemars Piguet launched the Platinum variant later in 2016. What makes The Royal Oak Tourbillon exceptional is its inclination towards perfection. This perfect watch is known for its robustness, complicated design, and petite structure. It sits nicely on the wrist with its grand design and unapologetic grandiose and presents a formidable front.

Audemars Piguet Partnerships

  1. Tennis

With a shared passion for excellence, luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet joined forces with some of the world’s topmost tennis players and other celebrities. Audemars Piguet has a close relationship with tennis ace Serena Williams. The brand also has a bond with fellow tennis player Stanislas Wawrinka, also known as Stan the Man’, a three-time Grand Slam tournament winner, Olympic champion, and Davis Cup winner.

  1. Golf

Audemars Piguet has also been deeply involved in sports over the years. So, naturally, it developed friendships with leading golfers from around the world. Mastering the skill and discipline of the game is a must for these sportsmen. And this reflects the brand’s commitment to quality, as well. AP is proud to have close working relationships with famous golfers, including but not limited to Darren Clarke, Bud Cauley, Wesley Bryan, and Patrick Cantlay.

  1. Art Basel

Audemars Piguet has been a global Associate Partner of Art Basel since 2013. The company has presented innovative lounge concepts in the Collectors Lounge of Basel, Hong Kong, and Miami. The brand is quite well-known for its commitment to exploring the connection between artistic excellence and technical mastery. By opting to partner with collaborators who reinterpret the Jura Mountains, the brand’s home, and its deep-rooted history, Audemars Piguet shares its passion for craftsmanship with the world.

Seal the Deal with an AP Watch from Jewelry Unlimited

After purchasing your first Audemars Piguet watch from Jewelry Unlimited, you’ll become a member of their luxury watch family. With this, you can also avail the unbeaten service of Audemars Piguet.

The Audemars Piguet will provide service for your watch like no other. AP cares for every single timepiece and inspects them for utmost precision. God forbid, if something happens to your AP watch, you’ll arrive at the luxurious service location where a professional and expert watchmaker will take your watch. Plus, your Audemars Piguet will have the following checks:

  • Aesthetic

  • Function

  • Timing

  • Water Resistance

  • Washing

  • Casing

  • Magnetization

  • Replacing Components

  • Diurnal Rate Change

And, there you have it – The Ultimate Guide to Buying Your First Audemars Piguet. Buy an AP watch from Jewelry Unlimited, and begin your generations of timekeeping brilliance today.