Well now, if you wanna know when the fancy Audemars Piguet started in China, let me tell ya a bit about it. So, this whole thing with Audemars Piguet, or AP as some folks call it, goes back quite a ways. The company was first set up way back in 1875, all the way in Switzerland, in a place called Vallée de Joux. It wasn’t in China, mind you, but that’s where it all began. Two fine fellas, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, they teamed up to make some of the finest watches you can imagine. They didn’t stop there, though. By 1881, they had a fancy name for themselves – Audemars Piguet & Cie. And guess what? It’s still family-owned to this very day. Yep, them same families still hold the reins!
Now, fast forward a little, and you’re wondering when AP started doing business in China. That’s a different story, and it ain’t so old. Audemars Piguet didn’t really have a big presence in China until more recently. They didn’t just march in all willy-nilly. Nope, they took their time, makin’ sure they had everything set up right. Now, Audemars Piguet’s watches are a big deal, and they’ve been makin’ some fancy limited-edition ones for the Chinese market. Real exclusive stuff, mind you.
For instance, there was a special edition Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin 41mm, all done up in yellow gold. Now this one was really something. Only 88 pieces were made, and they were all available only in Greater China, which means mainland China, Hong Kong, and all them other places. You can bet that if you got one, it’d be something to brag about. That watch, it wasn’t just a timepiece, it was a piece of history. A real collector’s dream, I tell ya.
So, when did it all start in China? Well, it wasn’t exactly a straight shot. Audemars Piguet started makin’ their way into China in the late 20th century, and by the 2000s, they were really startin’ to make a name for themselves. It wasn’t just about watch sales either. AP really worked hard to get in with the right people, holdin’ events and special showcases, makin’ sure the Chinese folks knew what they had to offer.
It’s important to remember though, that when AP came into China, it didn’t just bring watches. Oh no, it brought a whole lotta history and tradition along with it. You see, Audemars Piguet is known for its craftsmanship, its tradition of fine watchmaking. And when it came to China, it wasn’t just sellin’ a watch; it was showin’ off a piece of the Swiss watchmaking legacy. And that’s something a lotta people in China, especially the wealthy, could really appreciate. The history, the craftsmanship, the rarity. That’s what made AP special.
Since then, Audemars Piguet has only gotten more popular in China. They’ve continued to make special editions just for the Chinese market, like that Royal Oak I mentioned earlier. You can bet there’ll be more to come too, as the demand for luxury watches continues to rise in China. These limited editions don’t just celebrate the watchmakers’ skills, but they also celebrate the growing interest in luxury goods in China.
To sum it all up, Audemars Piguet’s start in China didn’t happen overnight. It took years of careful planning, getting to know the market, and building up a reputation. But today, it’s a well-known name, and their watches are seen as a symbol of luxury and sophistication. If you ever get the chance to get your hands on one of their limited editions, consider yourself lucky. They ain’t easy to come by!
Tags：[Audemars Piguet, founding date, China, luxury watches, Royal Oak, limited edition, watch history, Vallée de Joux, Swiss watches, luxury timepieces, 1875]
