At Central Mega Pawn, we are not just experts on luxury watches – we are also fans. This means we are always excited to share our knowledge with our community about every brand of luxury watch that catches our eye. This time around, we are presenting a buyers guide to one of our favorite luxury watch brands, Audemars Piguet.
Since 1875, Audemars Piguet has been unapologetically defying traditional watchmaking conventions by creating innovative, game-changing timepieces. Nestled in the Swiss Vallee de Joux, which is world-famous as the home of complicated watchmaking, the iconic brand takes full advantage of the natural beauty and resources of its surroundings. The result is some of the world’s most sought-after luxury watches, many of which we are lucky enough to have in our shop from time to time.
History
Audemars Piguet was founded by watchmakers and childhood friends, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, in 1875. Their home valley, although rich in resources and beauty, suffers particularly dark winters. As a result, many farmers in the region devoted their time to watchmaking, transforming their barns into workmen’s studios, where they produced delicate and precise wheels, pinons, and lugs that would be incorporated to timepieces adorned by local semi-precious stones.
Audemars and Piguet were part of this tight-knit community of artisans. They were especially passionate about creating timeless luxury watches that would be handed down from generation to generation. Every Audemars Piguet timepiece has, at its foundation, deep respect to the foundations of watchmaking, which is evident in its construction.
However, Audemars Piguet is also known in equal measure for pushing the limits of detail and technical skill. The watchmakers had a passion for excellence at every stage of the design process, creating chronographs and astronomical complications since the founding of the brand.
The brand’s workshops grew slowly. Initially employing around 50 people, it wasn’t until the 1950s that they expanded their operations to employ approximately 100. Such a small workforce is part of how Audemars Piguet stays true to its roots, as they employ only dedicated craftspeople, as they have since the beginning.
To this day, Audemars Piguet remains in the valley of its founding and is independent and family-owned. The company dedicates itself to pass on its knowledge and experience to future generations of watchmakers.
Craftsmanship
The traditional and the avant-garde intermingle at Audemars Piguet, where expert craftsmanship is a part of the brand’s DNA. Every watch and timepiece reflects the era in which it was crafted, from elegant Art Deco designs of the 1920s to the envelope-pushing pieces of today.
The watchmakers at this design house understand that to break the rules, one must master them first. As a brand, Audemars Piguet has made every day of their experience count and use their knowledge to create complicated timepieces. As a result, every watch produced is a technical masterpiece.
The watchmakers at Audemars Piguet are considered artists first and foremost. Every design still begins with a sketch and goes through many iterations. However, the designers stay must be expert technicians as well and take into account limitations when it comes time to build. Additionally, the brand melds artistry and experience with technical advancements, such as being among the first to use 3D imaging in the design process.
Some iconic models
Royal Oak
The Royal Oak was considered the first stainless steel luxury sports watch when it debuted in 1972. Its influence on the design of sports watches can still be seen today.
Royal Oak Offshore
Considered a bolder and more daring brother of the Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Offshore is nicknamed “the Beast” due to its massive proportions. First introduced in 1993, there are now over 120 variations on this model, which has made its mark on industry standards and expectations.
Royal Oak RD#2 Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
At a record 6.20mm, this watch is the world’s thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar. Master watchmakers worked tirelessly to re-engineer conventional movement into a single 2.89mm, making it ultra-thin while simultaneously boosting reliability and efficiency.
Royal Oak Frosted Gold
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak ladies’ model, Audemars Piguet introduced a frosted gold design. The watch was produced in collaboration with a renowned jewelry designer and features ancient Florentine painting technique.
How to buy an Audemars Piguet luxury watch
If you are considering the wise move of adding an Audemars Piguet to your luxury watch collection, you should put Central Mega Pawn at the top of your list. Unlike other resources, such as a jeweler, we won’t put you through a rigorous application process, and our prices do not reflect finders fees or the like.
Our experts at Central Mega Pawn can help you find a genuine article at a fraction of the prices you would expect to pay at a dealer, online, or through an auction house. Below are a couple of things you can do to take full advantage of Central Mega Pawn’s expertise in luxury watches:
Your Research
Know your budget, as well as the types of models you are interested in. The more specific you can be, the more likely you will get precisely what you want. Once you have narrowed it down and have an idea of how much you will be able to spend, you can search for sales records to get an idea of what to expect.
Get and stay in touch with us!
Audemars Piguet timepieces are a rare find – when you are doing your research, come in and let us know you are looking for one. Then, give us a call every so often to see if we have one on hand. The effort you put into establishing a relationship with us will pay off handsomely when you add a genuine Audemars Piguet to your collection at a fantastic price.
If, at any point in the process, you need some guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are here to help you in your search and will do everything we can to get you the Audemars Piguet timepiece of your dreams.
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