Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak, Millenary, and more

Audemars Piguet is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in Le Brassus in the Vallee de Joux, and it is still controlled by the founding families. Its defining model is the Royal Oak, designed by Gerald Genta and launched in 1972 as the first luxury steel sports watch, joined by the Royal Oak Offshore, Code 11.59 and Royal Oak Concept. Production is roughly 50,000 watches a year, and the maison sells primarily through its own AP House network rather than third-party retailers.

Audemars PiguetFounded 1875Le BrassusIndependentRoyal OakGerald GentaRoyal Oak OffshoreCode 11.59AP House

The Collection

Royal Oak Jumbo

Extra-thin · 39mm

Cal. 7121

Royal Oak Selfwinding

Integrated bracelet · 37-41mm

Cal. 5900 / 4302

Royal Oak Offshore

Chronograph · 42-43mm

Cal. 4401

Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

Perpetual · 41mm

Cal. 7138

Code 11.59

Round · 41mm

Cal. 4302 / 4401

Royal Oak Concept

Haute complication

Cal. 2952 / 2968

Latest Audemars Piguet Coverage

All 383 Stories ›

All Features

Introducing the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Yoon and Verbal

By Andre Frois · May 22, 2026

News

Audemars Piguet × Swatch Unveil the Royal Pop: The Most Disruptive Watch Collaboration of 2026

By Adrienne Faurote · May 12, 2026

All 383 Audemars Piguet Stories

Milestones

1875

Founded in Le Brassus; the families still control the company today.

1972

The Royal Oak launches in steel at a gold-watch price and invents the luxury sports watch category.

1993

The Royal Oak Offshore arrives and pushes the case to 42mm.

2019

Code 11.59 becomes the first new AP collection in decades; AP House replaces most third-party retail.

Timely FAQs

Why is the Royal Oak so important?

Because in 1972 it sold a stainless steel watch for the price of a gold one and made that make sense. Gerald Genta's octagonal bezel, exposed screws, integrated bracelet and tapisserie dial created the luxury sports watch category that Nautilus, Overseas and dozens of others followed.

Is Audemars Piguet independent?

Yes. It is the only one of the traditional big three still controlled by its founding families, with no listed parent group. That independence is why the maison can hold volume at roughly 50,000 watches and sell mostly through its own AP House salons.

What is the difference between Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore?

The Offshore is the larger, sportier interpretation launched in 1993 - thicker case, screwed pushers, rubber gaskets and usually a chronograph. The standard Royal Oak stays closer to the 1972 proportions and is the more formal of the two.

Where can I read Audemars Piguet reviews from a watch publication?

Haute Time has published more than 150 Audemars Piguet stories since 2006, from Royal Oak anniversaries and Concept pieces to the AP House openings in Miami and beyond.

Audemars Piguet

The Collection

Latest Audemars Piguet Coverage

5 Watches That Hold Their Value Best — and Why

What Does “In-House” Mean Today?

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak vs. Patek Philippe Nautilus: The Genta Steel Icons

Your Concise Guide to Integrated Bracelet Watches

Introducing the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Yoon and Verbal

Audemars Piguet × Swatch Unveil the Royal Pop: The Most Disruptive Watch Collaboration of 2026

Milestones

Timely FAQs