Well, let me tell ya a thing or two ’bout this fancy brand called Audemars Piguet. Now, don’t get too excited, it’s not somethin’ you’ll find at the local market. This here is a big name in fancy Swiss watches, real high-end stuff. Now, Audemars Piguet started back in 1875. Can you believe it? A long time ago, in a little place called Le Brassus, out there in Switzerland. The fellas who got it all started were Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet. Two smart fellas, y’know? They built themselves a little workshop and got to work makin’ some of the finest timepieces anyone had ever seen.
Now, what makes Audemars Piguet so special is that it’s still run by the same families, the Audemars and Piguet families. Not many companies can say that, can they? All these years and they’re still carryin’ on the legacy, handin’ down the reins from one generation to the next. As of just a couple of years ago, in 2022, Jasmine Audemars, who’s the great-granddaughter of Jules-Louis, was runnin’ the show, leadin’ the board. Ain’t that somethin’?
But, I ain’t here to just talk about history. Now, lemme tell ya somethin’ else that’s mighty important—if you’ve ever heard of the Royal Oak, you know it’s the watch that made Audemars Piguet famous. That Royal Oak wristwatch, well, that one right there, put ’em on the map in the world of fancy watches. You see, back in the 1970s, a fella by the name of Gerald Genta, he’s the one who designed that Royal Oak. Now, they say he sketched the design on a napkin right there in Basel, Switzerland, while he was havin’ a bit of lunch. Just imagine that! A napkin sketch turned into one of the most iconic watches in the world. Ain’t that somethin’ special?
The Royal Oak wasn’t just another pretty face, neither. Oh no, it had a steel case, which was unheard of for luxury watches back then. People thought it was crazy, but it worked, and boy, did it take off! The Royal Oak is still one of Audemars Piguet’s most famous pieces, and folks just love it. It’s fancy, it’s unique, and it sure knows how to stand out in a crowd.
Now, not only do they make watches that are as fancy as can be, but this Audemars Piguet company also does a lot of good things for the community and the environment. They’ve got a thing they call their CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility. This is all about bein’ responsible with people, the environment, and even the ethics of the business. They work hard to make sure they’re doin’ good in the world, not just makin’ money. And I reckon that’s a good thing to be doin’.
They’ve also got their eye on the future. These days, they’re thinkin’ ahead, movin’ toward only havin’ monobrand stores, all under their own name, no more sellin’ through other folks’ shops. They’ve set themselves a target to have it all done in three to five years. I reckon that’s a big ol’ step for the company. And let me tell ya, folks are already lovin’ those stores, buyin’ their fancy watches left and right.
And don’t go thinkin’ that Audemars Piguet just stays in one place, oh no. They’ve got stores all over the world, even more than 200 points of sale! But don’t get too excited now—only 60 of ’em are those fancy monobrand stores. But don’t you worry, they’re workin’ on it, investin’ in their own shops to make sure everything’s runnin’ smooth.
So, to wrap it all up, if you’re lookin’ for a watch that’s got history, prestige, and a bit of style, Audemars Piguet’s got you covered. From the Royal Oak to their CSR efforts, they’re makin’ waves in the watch world. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll get to wear one of them beauties on your wrist. But remember, they’re not for everyone—only those who really appreciate the finer things in life.
Tags：[Audemars Piguet, Swiss Watches, Royal Oak, Luxury Watches, History of Audemars Piguet, Gerald Genta, Watchmaking, CSR, Family Business, Audemars Piguet History]
