Audemars Piguet, or AP as it is known by fans and collectors, was founded in 1875 by partners Jules Audemars and Edward Piguet. They set up their new firm the Le Brassus, the cradle of watchmaking. They specialized in making incredible watches and each was made to the exact specifications of their owner until 1951, when the idea of a "model" was introduced. Their most famous model was one that completely changed the luxury watch industry: the Royal Oak. Released in 1972, the Royal Oak invented the category of luxury steel sports watch. This trend was followed by every major luxury watch manufacturer before the end of the 1970s. AP changed the game again in 1993 with the release of the Royal Oak Offshore, which brought the idea of an oversized luxury sport watch into the mainstream. AP has maintained its position as one of the best manufacturers in watchmaking by consistently refusing to compromise.
