AudemarsPiguet

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Skeleton Watch

Another new Audemars Piguet watch for 2010. I honestly never though this would be made, but it makes sense given all the other skeletonized watches that Audemars Piguet has been coming out with. Here is your standard well loved Royal Oak watch in either steel or 18k rose gold, with a fully skeletonized movement. Above and in the image gallery you can get a good view of Audemars Piguet's handiwork skeletonizing one of their in-house made automatic movements. Looks like the movement surface is rhodium plated for the gray look, which looks nice against both the steel and gold. Through the rear of the watch you can see the nicely engraved 22k gold automatic rotor.

I believe that the Royal Oak Skeleton will become a niche model that will appeal to current owners of the brand who want a more visual appreciation of the movement in watch they know and love. I enjoyed wearing it and noticed a welcome attention to detail and function. Audemars Piguet maintains legibility in the watch by including a chapter ring with applied hour markers (with lume) and minute indicators. It is a very simple and satisfying piece for fans of the brand and skeletonized movements. Price is $30,100 in steel with steel bracelet, and $45,500 in rose gold on the brown crocodile strap.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Skeleton Watch

Tags: 2010, Audemars Piguet, AudemarsPiguet, royal oak, RoyalOak, sihh, skeleton, skeletonized, watch

Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Here it is, the world's thinnest perpetual calendar watch (only needs to be adjusted once each four years). It is only 9.15mm thick and feels even thinner. the 18k pink gold case is 41mm wide making the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar watch an impressive and complex watch. The dial comes in two colors, either silvered or brown. The automatic mechanical in-house AP Calibre 2120/2802 movement provides the time (without displayed seconds), moon phase, date, leap year indicator, month, and day of the week. All logically laid out in traditional perpetual calendar fashion. I love the brown dial as it melds with the gold case nicely and the brown alligator strap.

Finishing on the case is superb and it is very comfortable to wear. From the sides you see a brushed finish, while the bezel and lugs are polished. Reading the watch is a breeze and it makes for a comfortable daily wear. Finding an automatic perpetual calendar that is easy to read isn't always easy, and here you can get one that is very thin as well. Turn the watch over and you get to see an intensely engraved and skeletonized automatic rotor with the "AP" initials applied to it, through the sapphire caseback window. For classic style lovers who want a timepiece from a good pedigree, this is a good option. Price for both dial colors is $58,700.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Perpetual Calendar watch

Tags: 2010, Audemars Piguet, AudemarsPiguet, gold, jules, perpetual calendar, PerpetualCalendar, sihh, watch

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date Watch For 2010

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

One of Audemars Piguet's nicest watches for 2010, is one that received little mention in their current media blast. I caught some images though on my wrist at SIIH, and here is the new for 2010 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date watch. A lovely simple creation it takes the classic Royal Oak case and style and adds "binocular eyes" that serve as subdials for the day and the date. Movement of course is an in-house made Audemars Piguet automatic - not sure right now of the movement reference number. Unlike the more aggressive Royal Oak Offshore, the Royal Oak is a relatively thin and very comfortable timepiece with a winning design that still looks fresh after more than 30 years. The simplicity of the time, day, and date indicators is unmatched. Really an attractive little piece. It comes in steel with a steel bracelet (excellent finishing) as well as in 18k rose gold matched with a brown alligator strap. Price is $15,400 in steel and $26,900 in rose gold.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day Date watch

Tags: 2010, Audemars Piguet, AudemarsPiguet, Day Date, DayDate, Royal Oak, RoyalOak, watch

Readers' Choice Award Nominees for Best in Accessories

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Best Jewelry Line
Each of the Readers' Choice nominees for Best Jewelry Line is a leader in the industry. One is not only known for its signature jewelry, but also for the blue box that it comes in. Another is known for its handcrafted pieces, but it is also known for its many innovations. Another nominee is a newer designer on the scene who is inspired by Florentine jewelry-making, but also astronomy, celestial, mythological and astrological influences. Another nominee is synonymous with glamour and fame and has ties to some of the world's most famous jewels. Finally, there's a nominee known for the panache of its founder, as well as its vast collection of the world's finest diamonds.
Graff Diamonds
Harry Winston
Temple St. Clair
Tiffany & Co.
Van Cleef & Arpels

Best Watch Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Watch Line nominees include a perennially favored brand among the watch-loving elite that is known for making the most complex wrist watch in the world. Another nominee is known for its functionally-themed luxury sport watches. The third nominee, while an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, is known for being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future. A fourth nominee is perhaps the best-known luxury watch brand in the world, with a stellar reputation to match. Lastly, there's a watchmaker that epitomizes Swiss haute horology with its modern classics and technical innovation.
Audemars Piguet
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Patek Philippe
Rolex

Best Leathergoods Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Leathergoods Line for a Luxist Award include award-winning brands from France, Italy and London. One started out making equestrian equipment in 1837, and still makes its goods by hand; some of its handbags are so coveted, there's a two-year long wait list to buy one. Another was started in London by a former fashion editor who partnered with a couture shoe maker to create a company now synonymous with the "red carpet". The third nominee is known for its clean lines and simple classic color palettes while the fourth is a global force of tradition and innovation. And finally, the last nominee epitomizes luxury with its delectable designer bags and vaunted luggage--some of which command five figure prices.
Bottega Veneta
Gucci
Hermes
Jimmy Choo
Louis Vuitton

Best Department Store/Boutique
Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best Department Store/Boutique include one based in London that has no fewer than 330 different departments, a staff of 5,000 from 50 different countries and is visited by as many as 300,000 people on a single day. Another, with roots in Texas, is known for its superior customer service, in addition to its luxury merchandise, including some of the world's most extravagant items. One New York-based store has a shoe department that is so large, it was given its own zip code. Another Manhattan-based store specializes in hard-to-find international designers, many of which it will help launch into fame. Lastly, there's an upstart from London that is so cutting-edge and up-to-date, it launches 300 new styles on a weekly basis.
Barneys New York
Harrods
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Top Shop

Best Clothing Designer
Readers' Choice nominees for Best Clothing Designer are award-winning fashion designers from Italy, England, France and the United States. One was started by a wunderkind who was named chief designer of one of the most respected fashion houses when he was still in his 20's. Another has been one of the leading names in fashion for nearly 100 years. A third nominee, known for its timeless style, has outfitted First Ladies on both sides of the aisle for decades while the fourth is famed for its understated elegance. The final nominee is synonymous with high fashion though its roots are in luggage and leather goods.
Alexander McQueen
Chanel
Gucci
Oscar de la Renta
Prada

Tags: accessories-award, alexander mcqueen, AlexanderMcqueen, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, awards-main, barneys, barneys new york, BarneysNewYork, bottega veneta, BottegaVeneta, chanel, graff diamonds, GraffDiamonds, gucci, harrods, harry winston, HarryWinston, hermes, iwc, jaeger lecoultre, jaegerlecoultre, jimmy choo, JimmyChoo, louis vuitton, LouisVuitton, luxist-awards, neiman marcus, NeimanMarcus, oscar de la renta, OscarDeLaRenta, patek philippe, PatekPhilippe, prada, rolex, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, temple st. clair, TempleSt.Clair, tiffany Co., TiffanyCo., top shop, TopShop, van cleef and arpels, van cleef arpels, VanCleefAndArpels, VanCleefArpels, winners-accessories

Audemars Piguet: The Trendsetter

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

With the higher-end watch lover in mind, Audemars Piguet, which is nominated for a Luxist Award, made independently owned luxury watch makers mainstream. An innovator in combining luxury with sport themed watches, Audemars Piguet stands equally as an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, as well as being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future.

Back in the 1970s Audemars Piguet shocked the worlds with the Royal Oak, a sport themed watch that commanded a price never before seen on a steel timepiece. The classic timepiece remains one of their most popular lines of watch that come in a wealth of exotic materials, complications, colors, and limited editions.

Audemars Piguet has been closely aligned with pop culture icons and important figures for decades. They've made special edition watches for clients ranging to former US Presidents, to Hollywood mega stars, and top athletes. What attracts them all is the brand's dedication to matching the high quality and intrigue of the inside of the watch, with the outside. As such, Audemars Piguet has always been considered a trend setter, often copied even by competing haute luxury brands.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Tags: accessories-award, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, Luxist-awards, watch, watches

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Las Vegas Strip Collection Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Las Vegas Strip Tourbillon watch

Remember Las Vegas? Audemars Piguet sure does. The important city to the brand (due to the many watch stores) now gets and important watch collection from the brand. In black and red tones, the new collection of Royal Oak model based watches are suitable wrist companions for nights of luxury and excess in the hottest city in the desert. The popularity of Vegas comes and goes, but you can't deny the importance of a fantastic watch while spending time on the Strip.

Most most exclusive of the watches in the collection is the pictured Audemars Piguet Las Vegas Strip Manual Wind Tourbillon with Chronograph watch. It is limited to 35 pieces and comes in a blackened steel case. Other models include two diamond studded automatic chronograph versions (for men or women each limited to 60 pieces), and a more standard automatic chronograph without all the decoration (limited to 400 pieces). Each has that signature look meant to match your casino attire. Sure it is a bit silly, but in Las Vegas you feel the need to go all out.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Las Vegas Strip Collection Watches

Tags: audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, las vegas, LasVegas, limited edition, LimitedEdition, royal oak, RoyalOak, strip, tourbillon, watch

Audemars Piguet Adds "Watch Maker" Charm To Their Bal Harbor Boutique

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Those people familiar with the shops at Bal Harbour knows how each luxury brand situated there feels the need to one up each other. This makes sense given the locations ability to attract the wealthiest Floridian buyers, as well as those who travel to the shopping center from around the world. Over the last few year Audemars Piguet has been playing with a new type of marketing campaign dedicated to enhancing the artisan-like feel of the brand. This essentially means that they want you thinking that watch makers time traveled from 1875 to the present day, and are hand-making Audemars Piguet watches in candle light somewhere in the heart of Switzerland. Most of this is true - save for the candle light.

Selling ultra luxury watches is as much about selling the final product as it is about selling how they were made. For this purpose, the Audemars Piguet Bal Harbour boutique has been temporarily transformed to include watch movement sketches, work tables, tools, and other items of traditional watch making construction. The good news is, that if you visit an actual Swiss watch making factory, all of these same tools are pretty much used - though maybe modernized a bit. Audemars Piguet does take much pride in the fact that they practice "traditional watch making" techniques. The display is a good idea , because it attempts to show a manufacture made mechanical watch in its natural element. If you are in the area, check it out. The window display will be up through the end of the year at the Audemars Piguet store at the Bal Harbour stores in Miami, Florida.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Bal Harbour display Nov 2009

Tags: audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, bal harbour, BalHarbour, boutique, florida

Audemars Royal Oak Offshore Piguet Pride of Mexico Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Audemars Piguet will release a watch soon to celebrate Mexico's 200 years of independence (1810 - 2010). Using the standard Royal Oak Offshore case and style, the watch will have a few cues to the country it celebrates. The dial is white, with green hour markers and a red hand. The colors are used to mimic those on the Mexican flag. The 42mm wide case will be have 100 pieces available in 18k rose gold, and 200 pieces available in titanium.

Flip the watch over and you'll find the major design element of the watch that is a shout-out to Mexico. Nicely engraved is an image of the Angel of Independence that is located in Mexico City. It is constant reminder for the citizens of the large city of the country's 200 year history, and now it can realized again on your wrist. Mexico City contains a significant wealthy class who will no doubt enjoy the timepiece's sentiments and luxury nature.

Inside the watch is an in-house made Audemars Piguet Calibre 2326/2804 automatic chronograph movement with a 38 hour power reserve and Cotes de Geneve finishing (though you'll have to remove the caseback to enjoy any of it). The case itself is water resistant to 100 meters and is matched with a hornback crocodile strap. Available soon, with likely most pieces available in or near Mexico.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Audemars Royal Oak Offshore Piguet Pride of Mexico

Tags: audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, independence, limited edition, LimitedEdition, offshore, pride of mexico, PrideOfMexico, royal oak, RoyalOak, watch

Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Millenary Calcédoine Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Another timepiece not in-line with the times, but perhaps it is. Sure ultra luxury watches are not en vogue given the economy, but then again at least they are straight forward with why they are expensive. People feel more comfortable paying luxury prices for clear luxury items. The alternative are $100,000 sport watches that most people would never notice as being so "valuable."

This is the Audemars Piguet Millenary Calcedoine (Chalcedony) watch and it serves up some of the most popular luxury features in a watch. You have an 18k pink gold case that is 45mm wide by 40mm tall. You have a stunning array of 395 brilliant-cut diamonds placed all over the case and in the dial was well. You have a beautifully decorated and designed open-work in-house made Audemars Piguet Calibre 2861 manually-wound tourbillon movement - with a chalcedony mainplate. And you have a galuchat (stingray) strap. It just oozes "my Tahitian vacation home is more expensive than you primary south Florida residence plus four children's Ivy league educations combined!"

Aside from diamonds, arabesque engravings decorate the movement while the tourbillon escapement is visible to the left of the watch face itself ( that is surprisingly legible). I am sure that Audemars Piguet will not be making too many of these watches for men - no, maybe they are for women - but contact them and I am sure they will put your name on an arbitrarily long waiting list as well as inform you of "what the damage" will be.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 26354OR.ZZ.D080GA.01, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, calcedoine, diamonds, gold, millenary, tourbillon, watch

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Forged Carbon Watch For 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

What interests me is that this watch is not a limited edition. In fact, it appears as though very few non-limited editions watches come out of the house of Audemars Piguet. This is not the first time forged carbon has been used on a watch for Audemars Piguet, who themselves were not the first watch maker to use carbon as a case material for watches. In fact various military spec watches such as Traser have been using carbon watch cases for years. They aren't exactly as fancy looking as the complex-to-make Audemars Piguet forged carbon cases, but they are equally light, and also very strong. What Audemars Piguet has brought to the table is likely their fanatical desire to "make things perfect" - having a carbon case look as though it was milled like metal. The bezel and caseback of the watch are not carbon. The bezel is a brushed and polished ceramic, while the caseback is blackened steel. You have ceramic again used as the strap connector links.

The "non initiated" who aren't watch enthusiasts won't be able to appreciate all that goes into this watch as it appears merely "nice." There are no visual clues that the case is so hard to make in this instance, and you have no idea that inside the watch a brand new Audemars Piguet in-house made caliber 3126/3840 automatic mechanical chronograph movement. The movement even has a solid gold rotor, also hidden from view. Watches like this are meant to impress the owner, and the few people they encounter who are aware of what the watch really is all about. The dial of the watch is Yellow-Jacket chic with the typical "Mega Tapestry" pattern on the dial that most Royal Oak Offshore watches receive. The tachymeter scale on the chapter ring is in yellow with black numerals while the strong looking Arabic hour numerals also enjoy the pleasant yellow hue. The crown and pushers are covered with natural rubber. Last is the sculpted alligator strap with deployment clasp and yellow contrast stitching. Certainly not love at first site for all watch lovers, but I have a feeling a few of you out there are taken by the bold looks of this watch - especially to match your yellow shoes. Price for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Forged Carbon watch is probably in the $35,000 - $50,000 range.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2009, 26176FO.OO.D101CR.01, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, forged carbon, ForgedCarbon, royal oak offshore, RoyalOakOffshore, yellow

Audemars Piguet Adopts A Highway In A Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Montauk Highway watch

I've never before seen a luxury timepiece made in honor of a road. Scratch that, there was a Route 66 edition Hamilton watch, but that pales in comparison to the luxury of Audemars Piguet. If there was a luxury-themed road to honor, it would be the Montauk Highway that runs from New York City to the Hamptons in New York. The 100 mile stretch of highway is the popular getaway path for people wanting to enter the decadent lifestyle of the Hamptons. In addition to parties and beachfront properties, the luxury lifestyle of the Hamptons makes it an ideal place for watch lovers. This limited edition of 300 pieces watch is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Montauk Highway watch.

The steel-cased watch has some unique colorings that include the off-white dial with lots of aquamarine trim against some chocolate brown. The avant garde colors look nice against the handsome classic watch. Inside is an in-house made Audemars Piguet automatic chronograph movement that is in most of the Royal Oak Offshore chronograph watches. The watch comes in a special box for the limited edition also meant to celebrate the famous highway. In opposition to the title of the article, no money (as far as I know) is going to the highway itself, but you get the symbolic connection. The Montauk Highway watch will be available in New York City, Long Island, and Bal Harbour Florida for $20,500.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, hamptons, highway, limited edition, LimitedEdition, montauk, royal oak offshore, RoyalOakOffshore, timepiece, watch

Exclusive John Legend Audemars Piguet Millenary Pianoforte Watch Featured In Charity Auction

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions, Charity

This unique watch with an engraved picture and autograph of musician John Legend is part of a limited edition itself, but is a one-of-a-kind piece. The Audemars Piguet Millenary Pianoforte line of watches is limited to 500 pieces and is itself musically themed to have the representation of piano keys on the dial of the watch. The watch face base is mother of pearl. The Millenary line of watches is stunning with a trick face that looks asymmetrical but actually is not, with the dial being right in the center. The 45mm x 40mm wide watch is in solid 18k white gold housing the in-house made Audemars Piguet Calibre 3120 automatic mechanical movement with about 55 hours of power reserve.

The John Legend special edition version of the Millenary Pianoforte watch is currently up for auction to raise money for John's "Show Me" Organization. The estimated auction value of the watch is about $32,000 but the price is far lower than that at this time. The auction closes on June 4th. For more information or to bid, see the auction page here on CharityBuzz.com.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, charity, john legend, JohnLegend, millenary, pianoforte, timepiece, watch

Audemars Piguet Watches And The Rare Sport Of Elephant Polo

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Sports

Team-based elephant polo doesn't just sound like a weird sport, it is a real weird sport. First I heard about it was today when learning that luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet is one of the sponsors. Like the equestrian based polo we all know (and some love), elephant based polo utilizes the same concept - just longer mallets, more jockeys, and bigger animals.

The specific event I am talking about is known as the 2009 King's Cup Elephant Polo game, held annually in the Golden Triangle region of Thailand at the Anantara Resort. We are talking about a lifestyle and world where the term "trumpet" is still used as a noun, and the sport, is still a local high-society favorite. Elephant polo is like a big pachyderm free for all - 12 teams compete for the coveted King's Cup (video after the jump). One of the 12 teams will of course be the Audemars Piguet team, complete with elephant and two riders. One for the controls (elephant) and one with the mallet (mostly bamboo). In addition to having a team, Audemars Piguet is a co-sponsor of the event. So, 'hear ye, hear ye, at the end of March, Audermars Piguet and Anantara Resorts trumpet the 2009 King's Cup Elephant Polo challenge in Thailand.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Anantara, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, elephant, polo, sport, thailand, watch

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Audemars Piguet Tradition Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Each year's new releases from Audemars Piguet reveal how dynamic the watch maker is. From ultra modern, to ultra subdued, there is no limit to how varied their timepieces can be. In stark contrast to some of the more bold offerings this year, the Audemars Piguet Tradition line - with its attractive 39.5mm wide cushion case - adds a new level of ' complication smoothness' to the classically-styled line.

Greatest in this year's Audemars Piguet Tradition line is this Perpetual Calendar with Minute Repeater watch that is actually a very complex timepiece given the sheer number complications inside. The hand-wound Calibre AP 2855 movement powers the perpetual calendar with a moonphase. There is also the lever on the left side of the case for the gongs of the minute repeater. Pull it down, then active it, and you get a little harmony of gongs and bells that tell you the time if read (listened to) properly.

The case is done in either 18k white gold or platinum, with a variety of finishes on the case. The sides are polished, while the bezel is brushed and the dial is satin finished. The cathedral style hands and hour markers are in rose gold. One of the best features is the font style of the number markers which looks classic at first, but has a unique modern flair if you observe them carefully. Nice to know Audemars Piguet is not exclusively about the Royal Oak line, nice work AP.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 26052BC.00.D092CR.01, ap 2855, Ap2855, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, minute repeater, MinuteRepeater, perpetual calendar, PerpetualCalendar, timepiece, tradition, watch

New Audemars Piguet Haute Joaillerie Pieces

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Like fellow watchmaker Jaeger Le Coultre, Audemars Piguet has come out with some showstopper jewelry pieces. There are two sets of matching 18K white gold and diamond watches and necklaces for women, the Coup de Theatre and Carnet de Bal. Both watches use the AP calibre 2046 movement with manual winding (18 jewels) that beats at a frequency of 21 600 vph and provides 42 hours power reserve. The Coup de Theatre pieces are shown on the left and features a brick like arrangement of diamonds punctuated by an exuberant spray of bezel set diamonds. The Carnet de Bal pieces are more of a floral comet with brilliant, marquise, pear and baguette diamonds including bezel set stones mounted on trailing strands of white gold accented with gold beads. Larger pictures are in the gallery below.

Gallery: Audemars Piguet Haute Joaillerie