Audemars Piguet

Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, both from traditional watchmaking families in Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux, formed a partnership in 1875 to create complicated watch movements. They officially established Audemars Piguet & Cie in 1881 in Le Brassus. Audemars handled technical production while Piguet focused on sales and management. The company created the first minute-repeating wristwatch movement in 1892, sold to Louis Brandt frères (later Omega). The 1972 introduction of the Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta, established a new category of luxury steel sports watches. Today, Audemars Piguet remains family-owned through descendants of the founders, producing approximately 50,000 timepieces annually.