Visiting the Audemars Piguet Manufacture

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Straight from sunny Florence I flew to back to snowy Switzerland to visit the manufacture of Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux. Being the oldest fine watchmaker that is still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet), I had the chance to indulge in the brand’s history and to explore the craftsmanship first hand.

sandra_bauknecht_audemars_piguet_manufacture_visitWearing a work coat and shoe covers for protection at the manufacture.

img_4949The modern part of the manufacture.

Since 1875, the company has written some of the finest chapters in the history of Haute Horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. At the heart of the Swiss Jura, numerous masterpieces are created in limited series embodying a remarkable degree of horological perfection, including daring sporty models, classic and traditional timepieces, splendid ladies’ jewellery-watches, as well as one-of-a-kind creations.

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I was deeply impressed seeing the precision that goes into the assemblage of the 3120 movement that comes also with my favorite watch, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold  – 37 mm .

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img_4951The entrance to the museum.

Over the years, Audemars Piguet has collected vintage models that are beautifully presented in the in-house museum that is only open to private tours.

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audemars_piguet_manufacture_11audemars_piguet_22An impressive family history

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montre_musique_audemars_piguetMusical watch, around 1840, Piguet & Meyland

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audemars_repetition-minuteRepetition Minutes, 1875, Louis Audemars

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royal_oak_audemars_piguetThe first Royal Oak was designed by Gérald Genta in 1972.

dates_audemars_piguetUntil today, all information on sold watches are written down by hand. In the ’30s, customers included Bulgari, Van Cleef and Bucherer.

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At the moment, Audemars Piguet is building a new museum in Le Brassus designed by Danish architectural firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group). Incorporating the existing building, the new form of a hairspring will showcase the history of the oldest, family owned watchmaker (see below).

LoL, Sandra

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Collage and last photo: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Blancpain Saint Valentin 2014

Blancpain Saint Valentin 2014

Every year since 2001, Valentine’s Day has marked a special rendezvous between Blancpain and women, for which the manufacture annually introduces a watch featuring an unusual interpretation of love, that lives up to expectations in a charmingly subtle manner also in 2014.

Blancpain Saint Valentin Back

Being a forerunner, the manufacture in Le Brassus has been offering ladies’ watches exclusively driven by mechanical movements ever since 1930. The iconic Blancpain Calibre 1150 chosen for this special model is equipped with a silicon balance-spring that is non-magnetic and maintains a more constant rate over time. Issued in a 99-piece limited edition, this 33 mm-diameter watch is (RRP CHF 18.000) fitted with a white leather strap highlighting the shimmering visual beauty of the dial. Delicately yours.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Blancpain