Audemars Piguet: Seeking "something more than a watch"

Located in the Vallée de Joux, known as the cradle of complicated timepieces, Audemars Piguet remains an independent brand run by the founding family. The company's accumulated watchmaking know-how, unconventional development approach that stands out from the rest, and its affinity with contemporary art will all be on display at the traveling exhibition "More Than Watches," which will finally begin in October.

AUDEMARS PIGUET

A bronze-finished "ring" designed based on an idea by Matthieu Lehanneur.

The interior of the “Ring” is divided into 12 small rooms reminiscent of the indices on a watch, and displays Audemars Piguet's watchmaking history and know-how.

　Audemars Piguet has been actively supporting contemporary art makers, particularly through its partnership with Art Basel since 2013. Leveraging the technical expertise in watchmaking cultivated in Le Brassus since its founding, the company has also achieved significant results through its Art Commission, which collaborates with artists to explore new innovations. The company's traveling exhibition, "TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRSTMASTER THEM," first held in Shanghai, China in 2016, allowed visitors to experience the essence of Audemars Piguet's watchmaking, as if they were actually visiting Le Brassus. The Japanese version, "More Than a Watch," will be held at the lawn plaza of Tokyo Midtown from Saturday, October 19th to Monday, November 4th (holiday).

As part of the 13th annual Tokyo Midtown DESIGN TOUCH event, which is based on the concept of "enjoying design with all five senses," the exhibition will emphasize collaborations with contemporary art. The main venue will be a giant "ring" inspired by French designer Matthieu Lehanneur. Twelve small rooms, arranged around a boulder brought from Le Brassus, will feature demonstrations that allow visitors to experience the essence of Audemars Piguet. A large screen will also be placed outside the "ring," showcasing digital art by Ryoji Ikeda, a company supported by the brand. This is the second piece in a trilogy Ikeda has dubbed "data-verse," the first of which was unveiled at this year's Venice Biennale. The highly acclaimed first piece is currently on display, but the second piece will embody Audemars Piguet's unconventional approach.

Royal Oak Automatic

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Automatic

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Automatic
This latest creation embodies Audemars Piguet's unconventional style. It extracts DNA from historical pieces and fuses them into a completely new icon. Automatic (Cal. 4302). 32 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 70 hours. 18KPG (diameter 41.0mm, thickness 10.7mm). Price: 2.8 million yen.

Cal. 4302
Audemars Piguet's new three-hand automatic watch combines a sophisticated finish with the high performance of a practical watch. By significantly increasing the torque of the mainspring, it achieves a high beat rate of 8 vph while achieving an extremely large balance wheel moment of inertia. Its diameter is 32mm and its thickness is 4.8mm.