We first begin to discover the world within our families. No family is perfect. One of the main aspects and strongest cornerstones that a family can give is the knowledge that someone loves you unconditionally no matter what. Other values learned through family are very diverse: the ability to defend your own kin, to come to the rescue at a time of need, help out, get support. Family traditions are equally important. It can be as simple as Sunday lunch together, or something bigger, like family business. For some, it can be a restaurant, but there are also people in the world who still have Swiss watches as their family business.
Allow me to tell you a story which begins in 1875, in the Swiss village of Le Brassus, with two childhood friends and watchmakers Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. Previously, the two partners had worked separately – Jules had been creating watch mechanisms for other companies, while Edward was self-employed, setting clocks. Surprising mechanisms, chronographs and astronomical complications – such were and still remain Audemars Piguet main contributions in producing exclusive wristwatches.
Audemars Piguet brand stands out among other Swiss watches with its devotion to family values. In a true southern Italian style, the reins of management are only passed on to members of the family of Audemars or Piguet since the beginning of the company in 1875. This family company has miraculously stayed without other investors for 145 years.
Audemars Piguet most iconic wristwatch
Audemars Piguet gained its fame thanks to Royal Oak sports watches. The inspiration for this watch lies in an impressive story of a rescue, whereas its design was created in as little as 24 hours. The name, Royal Oak, is borrowed from the largest British warship, which, in turn, acquired its name from the already mentioned rescue story from the distant year 1651, when the future King of England Charles II hid in an oak during the puritan revolution and escaped the rebels.
Looking at this Audemars Piguet watch closer, I see that its design is more shaped like a warship rather than a mighty oak. Its faceted, projected screws and round case resembles a ship’s porthole. How did this design come about? One afternoon, Audemars Piguet CEO George Golay called the watch designer Gérald Genta and asked to figure out a water-resistant stainless-steel sports watch. The idea was delivered already the very next day. The company approved it and created a watch that is still one of the most famous models in the world, The Royal Oak.
Audemars Piguet continues to develop
There are numerous stories of other achievements for Audemars Piguet. Not all of them can be listed. The most recent noteworthy event can be named the creation of series in 2007/2008, when, for the first time, the watch mechanism and its case were produced from carbon. Audemars Piguet also became a pioneer in 2019 by creating the world’s most delicate built-in watch calendar.
Audemars Piguet watches can be described in two words – finesse and luxury. When they create an innovation, it will be most often linked to an internal mechanism, not to external design. It's a brand with a significant history that can be seen with every Audemars Piguet luxury watch.
It is possible to try on some of these exclusive time pieces in Latvia. It is offered by the first full service watch centre in Riga – Baltic Watches. This watch shop stands out among others with its specialisation specifically in Swiss watches, also offering the Latvian public the finer watches, which are a sure sign of quality. You may try one of the watches of your choice at Jāņa iela 4 in Riga Old Town.
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