In 1875, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet founded the company that was later (in 1881) renamed Audemars Piguet & Cie. In 1972, the company released the watch that made them famous: the Royal Oak wristwatch. Over the years, Audemars Piguet has risen to become one of the most prominent watchmakers in the world.
It’s worth noting that the company also manufactured the very first minute-repeating movement for wristwatches back in 1982. Another notable achievement of the company is the manufacture of one of the thinnest watches in the world: the ultra-thin automatic tourbillon wristwatch.
The Top 6 Limited Edition Watches and Jewelry
Because Audemars Piguet is such a renowned watchmaker, its timepieces have been prohibitively priced. Also, the price of the watches went up over the years. Owning one of these incredible items is not only a way to show your style and elegance, but also a way to invest your money. For example, the price for a Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin (reference 15202ST) has recently surged by more than 50% in 6 months on news that the watch is about to be discontinued.
If you are planning an investment in the near future, here are 6 watches and jewelry that are not only limited edition, but also gorgeous:
- Haute Joaillerie Sapphire Orbe
- Price: Around $900,000
- Interesting fact: It takes around 1,050 hours of work to manufacture
- Shape: teardrop that sits sideways on the wrist
- Features: Has over 12,000 diamonds and blue sapphires in six shades and 20 different sizes
- Crystal: sapphire set with orange sapphires
- Case: 18K white gold case
2. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie (reference 26397BC.OO.D321CR.04)
- This is a limited edition of just five pieces
- Price: Around 850,000 USD
- Material: White 18-carat gold
- Features: grand and petite sonnerie, minute repeater
- Movement: 2956 caliber movement
- Each dial is hand painted by artist Anita Porchet based on the customer’s requirements, so each watch is one of a kind
3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Grande Complication
- Price: Around $760,000
- Movement: In-house caliber 2885, skeletonized
- Case: 44-mm stainless steel case
- Features: split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, minute repeater
- Capabilities: week display and moon phase
4. Jules Audemars Grande Complication
- Price: From $650,000 to $780,000
- Type: Self-winding watch
- Strap: Hand-stitched crocodile skin leather
- Case: Open back pink gold or titanium case (14mm high)
- Clasp: 18-carat gold or 950 platinum folding clasp (some come with a titanium folding clasp)
- Features: Perpetual calendar (day of the week, date, month, leap year, and moon phase)
5. Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
- Price: Around $330,000
- Type: Three-hand watch
- Movement: Caliber 2953 movement
- Dial: Blue Grand Feu enamel dial
- Case: 18-karat white gold case
- Features: minute repeater with proprietary “Supersonnerie” technology
6. Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon Chronograph Automatic (reference 11.59 26399BC.OO.D321CR.01)
- Price: Around $267,000
- 100 watches ever made, 50 with a black dial edge and 50 with a blue dial edge
- Movement: Caliber 2952, skeletonized
- Case: White gold case
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal on both the front and the back
- Features: Flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, 65-hour power reserve, flyback chronograph, no date display