Following the celebrations marking its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet unveils a revamped collection where heritage meets technical innovation. A diverse range designed to appeal to contemporary connoisseurs through unique designs and bold mechanical engineering.
The Art of Diversity: Beyond the Royal Oak
Building on the momentum of its 150th anniversary, celebrated in 2025, Audemars Piguet is implementing a strategy that prioritizes a wide range of new releases rather than focusing on a single model. This approach reflects a desire to honor its heritage—particularly the iconic Royal Oak—while exploring decidedly unexpected aesthetic and mechanical territories.
A tribute to Art Deco imbued with mechanical boldness
The Neo Frame Jumping Hour perfectly embodies this desire to revisit the past with a contemporary perspective. Inspired by a 1929 model, this timepiece stands out for its highly architectural rectangular silhouette. It eschews traditional hands in favor of apertures revealing rotating discs for the jumping hour and minute displays. This feat is powered by the 7122 movement, the very first automatic jumping hour caliber developed by the manufacture. Derived from the architecture of the famous ultra-thin caliber of the Royal Oak “Jumbo,” it offers a 52-hour power reserve.
The elegance of understated proportions
In response to the current trend toward more discreet case sizes, the new 38 mm Royal Oak Automatic Chronograph is equipped with the all-new Caliber 6401. The result of five years of in-house research and development, this caliber succeeds the 2385 by featuring an integrated construction with a column wheel and vertical clutch, optimized for maximum reliability. The sapphire case back now allows one to admire the movement’s architecture, a highly prized rarity for this case size.
Code 11.59: The Era of Maturity
The Code 11.59 collection, launched in 2019, has now reached an alluring maturity. The range is expanded with new models featuring the automatic Caliber 2950 with a flying tourbillon, enhanced by ivory-colored guilloché dials crafted by master artisan Yann von Kaenel. The refinement of the dials, combined with the characteristic double curvature of the sapphire crystal, gives this line a striking visual identity and a true mechanical presence. New 38 mm models, powered by the 5900 caliber, complete this collection with an elegance designed for everyday wear.
A Manifesto of Fine Watchmaking: The 150 Heritage Pocket Watch
A masterful demonstration of the manufacture’s expertise, the 150 Heritage Pocket Watch houses the Caliber 1150. This hand-wound movement comprises over a thousand components to power 30 complications and 47 functions: grande sonnerie, minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and tourbillon. The back of the watch reveals a spectacular panoramic universal calendar incorporating solar and lunar cycles, with indicators for major cultural celebrations such as Easter, Diwali, and the Lunar New Year. Produced in a limited edition of just two unique pieces, this creation stands as an absolute testament to craftsmanship and horological technique.
Jewelry and Precision: The Royal Oak Mini
The women’s models are no exception, as exemplified by the 23-mm Royal Oak Mini, introduced in 2024. This model features dials crafted from natural gemstones. A rose gold version with polished black onyx and gem-set hour markers, as well as a yellow gold model enhanced by extra-white mother-of-pearl, showcase Audemars Piguet’s mastery in blending fine jewelry and watchmaking. These models feature the 2730 quartz caliber, which boasts a remarkable power reserve of over seven years and an ingenious deactivation system to conserve battery life when the watch is not being worn.
Anniversary Editions and Hardware Pioneers
The 150th-anniversary celebration also features exclusive limited editions. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Skeleton “150th Anniversary” creates a unique fusion of traditional skeletonized architecture and cutting-edge materials, such as titanium and metallic glass (BMG). The goal is clear: to combine the transparency of fine watchmaking with deeply modern resilience and durability.
AP House: Reinventing the Watchmaking Experience
Beyond timepieces, the brand is reimagining its hospitality with immersive spaces. The recent opening of a new AP House in London goes beyond the traditional boutique to become a true cultural hub, combining exhibitions, tastings, and exclusive events. This format exemplifies a holistic strategy aimed at blending a rich heritage narrative with a decidedly high-end customer experience.
As it looks ahead to its future collections, the watchmaker is building on its strengths by preserving its timeless classics while exploring new aesthetic and technical frontiers. The popularity of 38 mm cases, in particular, reflects a keen understanding of contemporary global expectations. The true challenge the brand has taken on lies in its ability to remain faithful to the Royal Oak’s DNA while designing timepieces with a multifaceted appeal.
Audemars Piguet thus demonstrates that celebrating an anniversary is not merely a matter of looking back with nostalgia. On the contrary, it is about reimagining a centuries-old heritage through innovative materials, reimagined complications, and designs tailored for today’s enthusiasts, affirming more than ever its relevance and flair among the new generation.