April 20th, 2022
Some brands have well-marked their territory in the buyer’s mind whenever you think of buying a luxury watch. One of them is Audemars Piguet. The company is most popular for creating innovative, exquisite and highly functional mechanical watches that make them highly desirable in the world of luxury watches. However, many still fail to recognise the exclusivity of the AP watches. Hence, it is time to end the speculation once and for all.
If you’re looking to invest in Audemars Piguet in 2022, this blog is your ultimate guide as we plan to answer some of the most asked questions to make your buying process relatively easy.
FYI: AP watches are at an all-time high demand in the market, and investing in any of the popular models will fetch you a high value when you sell AP watches.
So, before it gets too late, let’s start with the basics.
Making its debut in 1875, Audemars Piguet is known as one of the top luxury watch brands, with its headquarters in Switzerland. It is an independent and family-owned business that came into existence when two young watchmakers, Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules Louis Audemars, collaborated to demonstrate the very best of chronograph and astronomical complications.
Traditional and unconventional are the two terms that intertwine to make the AP watches desirable and unique. Together, they have curated some of the best timepieces globally, including the ultra-thin automatic tourbillon in 1986. Moreover, they were the ones to create the first automatic ‘Grande Complication’ in 1995. They recently created the first watch piece with a carbon movement and carbon case in 2007.
The biggest achievement in the history of Audemars Piguet is –The Royal Oak, which came out in 1972. The watch had a unique design with exposed screws and a classic Octagonal design. The popularity of the Royal Oak changed the market for AP forever. If you look at today’s Audemars Piguet watch price, you’ll be stunned by the value. The value of Audemars Piguet is skyrocketing in the watch world, with each timepiece sold at an exceptional price in the secondary market.
This begs the question, ‘why’ and ‘what’ makes the Audemars Piguet watches so prestigious and unique?
1. Expensive Production Process
Making a luxury timepiece is way more challenging than you could possibly think of. The team at Audemars Piguet would spend hours and days solving a problem. In a world driven by computers and technology, the skilled artisans at AP do it with bare hands to give each AP timepiece that special touch.
The movement of each watch not just involves a lot of time but also millions and billions. The brand uses only high-quality materials to manufacture the watches with careful manual attention. A typical AP watch can take a few days to months, and even years to produce. So, it is only obvious if the Audemars Piguet price is high in the market.
2. Premium Quality Materials
It is not only the patterns, designs, and complications that make the AP watches stand out in the crowd. The manufacturer uses the best quality materials and high-end techniques to curate each timepiece, reflecting the AP watch price.
For instance, they use black ceramic instead of stainless steel, use white gold screws to attest finesse, and employ machine and hand-made tactics to attain the best finish.
3. Fewer Production Count
The cost of an item disrupts when a company manufactures thousands or millions of it. However, that is not the case with Audemars Piguet, where the brand only produces a small number of watches, further adding to its exclusivity.
4. Expensive Movements
Audemars Piguet watches have complicated movements that can cost thousands of dollars. This is why AP creates watches in limited quantities only to meet the requirements or needs of a selected group of wealthy customers.
5. Innovation at its Peak!
Over the years, Audemars Piguet has always made it a point to keep the collectors and buyers on their toes with their long list of innovative designs. For instance, AP launched the first skeleton watch that gives a glimpse of the watch’s inside through a looking glass. The brand’s commitment to innovation drives its reputation amongst buyers and enthusiasts alike.
AP watches have always been associated with rich, powerful and famous personalities as the brand exudes exclusivity, tradition, and expertise. The price bracket for a typical Audemars Piguet watch can indeed be quite high, leading to many people questioning whether or not it is worth the price. But, given the above points, it is only obvious if the Audemars Piguet watch price is high. Also, there are times when people want to purchase the brand just for its name's sake.
If you’re looking to purchase an Audemars Piguet, we must well inform you about all the collections and variations to make a wise decision. AP sells its most popular Royal Oak models for both men and women, with the most common models in 33mm, 41mm and 44mm.
The Classic Royal Oak AP timepiece features the brand’s traditional octagonal bezel with exposed screws, an octagonal crown on the right, a date display at 3 o’clock and index dial markers. You can get the model in various materials, including stainless steel, which is the most challenging to find. Alternatively, you can also opt for white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, platinum, titanium, and ceramic options. The AP watch royal oak self-winding price varies depending on the material.
Opt for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph if you want an easily recognisable chronograph. In addition to the crown on the right side, the watch features two other buttons placed above and below it. It is most similar to a stopwatch but exudes greater elegance. The dial flaunts three sub-dials with the date display between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions.
Audemars Piguet is a brand that masters the art of complicated watchmaking, and the AP Openwork Skeleton gives a clear idea of that. The AP skeleton watches allow seeing the delicate inner workings. Therefore, if you wish to check out the brand’s technical supremacy, this surely makes a great choice in AP!
Displaying the date and day is one of the most common features of almost all modern luxury watches. But as AP likes to take things a little bit further, the Perpetual Calendar model proudly flaunts the date, day, month, and moon phase in a beautiful pattern. Additionally, an outer ring offers the week display and 52 dial markers that indicate the current week of the year. Not just that, the date display also highlights the leap year. You can avail of the AP Perpetual Calendar models in various materials, including rose gold, stainless steel, ceramic and yellow gold.
A tourbillon is a mechanical complication that AP initially created to improve the accuracy of the pocket timepieces. It is mostly found in high-end luxury watches and uses a rotating cage to mount the balance and escapement wheel safely. Even though the need for a tourbillon has lessened, the model still enjoys much attention in the luxury watch market.
Coming out in 1992, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore marked the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak catalogue. Since then, the watches have become one of the most desirable in the entire AP lineup. The Royal Oak Offshore collection models flaunt some of the brands' key features like the octagonal shape but are far more bulky and sporty at the core. You can also benefit from the watch’s stopwatch functionality.
So far, we have suggested AP models with a masculine look and feel. The Audemars Piguet 11.59 collection sports a series of classic dress watches that flaunt a more unconventional appearance. You can break free from the usual restrictive design and opt for the 11.59 collection that exhibits minimalist features, including date display windows, tourbillon, chronograph and even open-worked designs.
With so many design options, it is obvious to feel intimidated to choosing one. We suggest getting an entry into the world of AP with The Royal Oak. Not that it is less expensive, but every brand has to start somewhere, isn’t it?
The 34mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Ceramic watch makes for a dynamic fashion statement and is one of the best watches to start your journey into the world of Audemars Piguet. The Ref. 77350ST.OO.1261ST.01 is a new addition to the Royal Oak catalogue and comes in four variations. This includes two variations with diamond-set bezels, a ceramic version with gold accents and two-tone models.
The stainless steel case and the Grande Tapisserie dial look great. Under the roof, the watch has a Calibre 5800 movement, and the dial displays the minutes, hours, seconds and date. It has a power reserve of 50 hours, and even though the would-be masculine buyers might want to call it a women’s timepiece, the hype market doesn’t cater to that!
These watches are pure, date and time models made in stainless steel that command attention and have long waiting lists. It even holds great value over time. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, the AP Royal Oak collection has something for all!
Do you want to explore the other top Audemars Piguet models for 2022? Well, we have a list for that too!
To mark Audemars Piguet’s 50th Anniversary, the brand has unveiled a series of new models in 2022, which should definitely be on your wish list if you intend to purchase one this year. Although the watches mostly retain the aesthetics of the original Royal Oak collection, you can spot significant changes in the watch design, bevels, case back, and also the bracelet design.
1. Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin Ref. 16202
Coming out as the much-beloved Ref. 15202’s sibling, the Ref. 16202 introduces the Calibre 7121 on the original Royal Oak. You can avail of the 16202 models in four variants: yellow gold, platinum, steel and pink gold.
2. Royal Oak Selfwinding Tourbillon Ref. 26730
The three 41mm models are available in 18ct pink gold, steel and titanium, each equipped with the Calibre 2950. This is the brand’s latest self-winding movement that combines a flying tourbillon with a central rotor.
3. Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Openworked Ref. 16204
Coming in a 39mm case, the new Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Openworked model with Ref. 16204 is a visual delight available in either 18ct pink gold or stainless steel. The watch is run by the Calibre 7121, which also powers the Ref. 16202.
4. Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Openworked Ref. 26735
Do you want to see Audemars Piguet’s high level of craftsmanship? The new Royal Oak Selfwinding, Flying Tourbillon Openworked with Ref. 26735, gives a premium view of the Calibre 2972. The watch has an elegant monochromatic outlook.
5. Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26240
All the Audemars Piguet models with a 41mm case are now run by the Calibre 4401. With a flyback function, this particular movement type includes a date-change mechanism and upgraded chronometry.
6. Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15550
AP has released 11 models with a self-winding minute, hour, second, date, and the Calibre 5900. The mechanism is comparatively thinner and also guarantees self-sufficiency of 60 hours.
7. Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26715
These are the smaller 38mm chronograph models that revamp the new line while still incorporating the old Calibre 2385.
If you want to buy an Audemars Piguet watch as an investment, you’ll be glad to know that AP watches indeed hold their value. Investing in any of the models listed above will secure a high value when you sell Audemars Piguet watches to some reliable watch buyer in London.
Have you decided on your Audemars Piguet model already? If yes, you must remember that Audemars Piguet watches are a high investment. So, the last thing you can expect is to get scammed. With the rising popularity of the watches, the count of counterfeiters has also doubled. Therefore, it is very important to carefully evaluate the authenticity of your AP watch before buying one.
But, how do you recognise or differentiate between a fake and real Audemars Piguet watch as a newbie?
Here’s a list of things that must look out for in an authentic AP timepiece.
FINAL WORDS
Audemars Piguet should be your pick if you enjoy complications in a high-end mechanical watch. It is the ‘Holy Trinity’ of all luxury watch brands and attests to the highest quality timepieces. We suggest investing in a model that draws all the attention and appreciates in value.
Check out the full list above to shop your preference.
Also Read: 5 of the Best Audemars Piguet Watches for Avid Watch Collectors
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