[ via Audemars Piguet ]

Audemars Piguet Board of Directors has the pleasure to announce the nomination of Mr. Philippe C. Merk, currently the Chief Executive Officer of Desco Luxury Group (Maurice Lacroix), to the post of Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet Holding SA. He will begin on January 1st, 2009.

Mr. Merk, who is 51 years old, fulfilled different important functions in the pharmaceutical field, as well as senior positions in the food industry in the USA, Germany, Asia and Switzerland. In 2001, he took over the running of the Maurice Lacroix watch brand which he turned around with great success. Mr. Merk holds a diploma in chemical physics from the Engineering School in Zurich and an MBA from IMD in Lausanne. He is married and has two children.

The members of the Board wish him every success in his new function and would like to take this opportunity to thank in advance the entire staff for their support.

Furthermore, Georges-Henri Meylan will continue to act as CEO of AP until December 31st, 2008 and assist in the transition of his successor. We will have many occasions in the future to show our appreciation with regards to Georges-Henri Meylan who will remain a member of the Board. But we would like to once again thank him for his service to the Company for more than 20 years in which time AP has enjoyed an impressive growth.

Source: Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman, Board of Audemars Piguet Holding SA

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Audemars Piguet debuted their new Royal Oak Carbon Concept at the SIHH show, in Geneva, this past April. Unfortunately no info was released as far availability, but they did just release this video on the AP website. This is the first watch equipped with both case and movement in carbon. One site does have the watch listed as "Coming Soon", so it could be available before the end of the year. MORE

Read "VIDEO: AP Royal Oak Carbon Concept" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 2:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

[ via Audemars Piguet ]

Audemars Piguet recently released a new version of the Royal Oak Offshore in honor of Rubens Barrichello. The picture shown is the only edition of this watch, because it is a one of a kind.

Press Release:

The unique design draws on the world of motor racing to create a subtle blend of F1 finesse and fine watchmaking, featuring a bezel adorned with eight screws reminiscent of engine screws, a bezel joint in the image of a ventilated disc brake, strap attachments in the shape of pedals, a crown akin to a gear cog and pushpieces in the form of an air extractor. The exclusive watch also boasts a pink-gold case, boldly blended with titanium studs, pushpieces and crown protector. The watch back carries the inscription "R. Barrichello - 257 - New Grand Prix Record", showing the Rubens Barrichello logo and name of the timepiece.

Read "AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Audemars Piguet ]

Here are a few shots of the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Carbon Concept Tourbillon. I have always liked the Royal Oak models from Audemars and this concept is my favorite one so far. It looks a lot like the TB Buti Carbon concept watch that was featured at Baselworld. Unlike the TB Buti the Audemars has a ceramic bezel and a tourbillon movement. Expect to pay much more for the Audemars name and the tourbillon movement. Both watches have high-tech movements and use a lot of carbon, but the prices should be very different.

The Audemars Carbon watch is ultra-lightweight and may become the first watch to feature a carbon case and movement. I am not sure if the TB Buti will feature a carbon movement, but the all carbon case is still very impressive. Audemars utilizes a pure carbon 384 part Calibre 2895 tourbillon chronograph movement. The bezel is ceramic, the crown features AP intials and the ring surrounding the caseback is secured by eight screws made of PVD blackened titanium.

Read "AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Offshore Carbon Concept Tourbillon" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via The Watch Quote ]

Here are a few Valentine's Day themed watches from Audemars Piguet, Blancpain and Hublot . More pics after the jump.

Read "Valentine's Day Watches" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via WatchQuote ]

Chanel partnered with Audemars Piguet to make this special edition J12 Calibre 3125. The watch has the Chanel label on it , but the movement was done by Audemars Piguet. It uses 18k yellow gold on a nice black ceramic finish. I really like when watch companies work together to produce even better products, however I am not sure this would be enough to sway me towards a Chanel watch.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via Audemars Piguet ]

This month, after Geneva, Milan, New York, Miami, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Dubai, it was Paris’ turn to inaugurate its new Audemars Piguet boutique. Taking as its theme A Midwinter Night’s Dream, enthusiasts of fine watchmaking were transported into an enchanted wintry world as a prelude to the magic of Christmas. To celebrate the opening of their new store a Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 'Rue St-Honoré' watch was created in stainless steel in limited edition of 100 pieces.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Kronosclub ]

Today is the 75th Anniversary of the "SAVE THE CHILDREN" foundation. There is an auction going on today September 6th to raise money for this charity. One of the items pictured is a Royal Oak Chrono engraved with President George H.W. Bush's signature. I am sure it will command an ultra high price as it is a one-of-a-kind wristwatch and because it is for charity.

If anybody is interested in biding here is the link for more details.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via Audemars Piguet ]

On July 11 and 12, Audemars Piguet opened its new boutique on the first two floors of a ten-story building in Tokyo’s high-profile Ginza district, a highly sought-after location. The boutique provides an ideal showcase for the brand’s timepieces, with the rest of the building housing other Audemars Piguet operations, including customer service, offices and a VIP suite on the top floor. More pics after the jump.

Read "Ginza Boutique Opened by AUDEMARS PIGUET" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via Watchismo ]

Here is a really cool black version of the Maserati MC 12 by Audemars Piguet. The new Maserati MC 12 roadcar inspired timepiece, imited edition Black Millenary MC12 Tourbillon and chronograph is a reinterpretation of its predecessor. This interpretation has a much more aggressive and sporty design.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 2:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via Kronosclub ]

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal Limited Edition. Two editions of this watch will be available, a steel version of 960 pieces, and a 96 piece white gold version with 32 diamonds in the bezel. This particular watch uses the same cal. 3126 movement that was found in the limited edition Arnold's All Stars watch. Probably the most unqiue and cool feature of this watch is the use of Shaq's number on the dial of the watch. Since he began playing for the Miami Heat he has been wearing the number 32, so they reversed the "2" and the "3" so the "3" actually comes first. This watch comes in a box that looks like a life-sized basketball and is made of polished wood. All proceeds from the endorsement of this watch will go to Shaquille O'Neal's charity foundation.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check some more photos of the new Audemars Piguet Team Alinghi Chrono that I found after the jump.

Read "Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Check out this beautiful new Audemars Piguet Team Alinghi chrono. I am sure there are people who will not like this watch, but my guess is most people with love the unique style. It is very aggressive and sporty. If you take a close look at the watch case you will see a black metal finish like no other watch you have ever seen. Well that is because they are the first company to use "forged carbon" for the watch case. Forged carbon is not only strong and light it also has a unique look that makes this watch stand out. I cannot wait until I see more watch companies using forged carbon on their watches.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Kronosclub

Here is a limited edition Audemars Piguet Offshore Volcano. It actually uses an in house movement, but it is nothing more than a typical Offshore with unique colors made in a limited quantity of 300 watches. I really like limited edition watches, but I get so tired of watch companies calling 3000 "limited edition". Or in this case when Audemars Piguet simply rebadges a timepiece and calls it a limited edition because it looks slighty different and is produced in small quantities. The end result is higher prices with no real added value.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I really like this Audemars Piguet Offshore Safari wristwatch. The cream dial, crocodile leather strap and overall look is very appealing. I have heard the wait is over 3 months to get one, so I guess it is a popular watch.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

[ via Audemars Piguet ]

Audemars Piguet Maserati Limited Edition Platinum watch (47 x 42 mm) equipped with a Calibre 2329/2846 automatic movement. Three-dimensional dial construction with Maserati trident, Arabic numerals, hours, minutes functions in second time zone, 24-hour and date indications, 40-hour power reserve with indicator, crocodile leather strap with folding clasp, water-resistant to 20 metres. Limited Edition of 90 pieces.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (1)