For a gentleman who wants a luxury watch that is sophisticated and practical, the Audemars Piguet Tradition 15160PT.OO.A092CR.01 is just that. The simple design of the face makes it easy to tell time, while maintaining a dignified look. The internal workings are well designed, making the Audemars Piguet Tradition a refined timepiece.

External Features: Externally, the majestic silver dial with large pink gold Arabic numerals and hands makes it easy on the eye to read the time. Clearly marked with succinct pink gold dots, the minute markers match the color of the hands and numerals. The regal silver and gold colors come together with a platinum silver case making this timepiece a stylish masterpiece. The back of the case is transparent, giving you a look at the intriguing internal mechanisms.  A specially designed glare-proofed sapphire crystal glass covering protects the dial.  The brown hand-stitched “large square scale” crocodile band adds a charming touch to the décor accompanied with a sturdy 950 platinum AP folding clasp.

Internal Features: The Audemars Piguet Tradition features excellent workmanship. Waterproof up to 20 meters, you don’t have to worry about getting it wet. This wristwatch runs with bi-directional automatic movement with the weight oscillating 2.75 times per second. The annular ring running on four jewels ensures movement of the oscillating weight. Even the inside of this timepiece is upscale, as the support and weight segment are in 21-karat gold. Upon request, the oscillating weight can even be custom decorated. In addition, there is a forty-hour power reserve that will keep this timepiece ticking. Thirty six-jewels and a total of two-hundred-twelve parts ensure that this high quality watch is mechanically sound. The workmanship is finished manually with polished bevels, satin brushed edges, and Perlage on the recesses.

Alternative Models: The Audemars Piguet Tradition lives up to its name because it is very traditional in style. This watch has the basic minute and hour hand dial. If you like the workmanship of Audemar Piguet, but are looking for more additional features, you may want to check out the Tradition Perpetual Calendar 26051PT.OO.D092CR.01 or the Tradition Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater 26052BC.OO.D092CR.01 which are similar in style. The Tradition Perpetual Calendar watch displays the day, the date, the month and leap years, as well as the moon phases. The Tradition Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater is another alternative that has all the same features as the Perpetual Calendar watch with the addition of a small seconds display dial.

The Audemars Piguet Traditiona Perpetual Calendar is an alternative similar in style that includes calendar features. (Image from: wwww.audemarspiguet.com, retrieved January 27, 2012)

The downside of the Audemars Piguet Tradition is that it is expensive with the U.S. retail price at $65,200. However for the cultured and well-bred gentleman who can afford it, this watch has excellent internal features with a highly distinguished exterior.

Pros:

• Easy to read the time
• Transparent backing
• Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Unique crocodile band
• Water resistant up to 20m
• Custom decorated oscillating weight
• High quality workmanship

Cons:

• Expensive

With the Piguet Jules Audemars Men’s Watch 15120BC.OO.A002CR.01 a man can cloak his wrist in courtly gentility, for this blue blood exemplifies your own. This Audemars Piguet showcases a 18 kt white gold case on a black alligator strap and18 kt white gold ardillon buckle. Its 22 kt yellow gold rotor bears the AP family crest, marking it as among one of the world’s premiere watchmakers’ finest.

From their inaugural1875 partnering to their studies at The Vallée de Joux –  a valley in the Jura Mountains in the Swiss Canton, Vaud said to be the origin of world-class watch manufacturing – to their litany of custom made timepieces, these masterminds and their protégées understand watch making. And the Men’s 15120BC.OO.A002CR.01 demonstrates the reason for their success. With its white guilloche dial, 18 kt white gold case and 18 kt white gold bezel – this piece is pure panache.

Audemars Case Back: Watch the Workings

Also host to 18 kt gold lugs, fully polished silver dial, and sleek white gold Roman numeral hour markers, the AP 15120BC.OO.A002CR.01 plays a cool hand. Functioning by mechanical automatic movement with 60 reserve hours and AP Caliber 3120, it can be depended upon to keep track of life’s hours. Further distinguished by a transparent case back and polished bezel, this watch encapsulates the essence of Audemars-Piguet genius.

Additional Features Include:

• Date display
• Polished white gold hour and minute hands
• Black center seconds hand
• Guilloche-textured silver dial
• 21,600 vph movement beats
• Scratch resistant sapphire-crystal
• Brushed satin finished 18 kt white gold case (39 mm; 1.5 in)
• 7 in adjustable black alligator leather strap
• Tang buckle clasp
• Water resistant to 20 meters (60 ft)

The manufacturer’s retail price lists for $23,500. This model (also referred to as 15120bc, 15120bc/oo/a002cr/01, and 15120bc-oo-a002cr-01) is widely available through online discount sellers including: Authentic Watches.com ($21,995); Goldwatches.com ($19,270); Steindiamonds.com ($18,330)—this seller also offers a bank wire option of $17,780; Luxurybizaar.com ($17,625); Worldofluxury.com ($18,330). Note: to date, there are no consumer reviews to consider.

Similar pieces include the Piguet Jules Audemars 15056BC.00.A001CR.02 and the Piguet Jules Audemars Equation of Time 26003BC.00.D002CR.01.

If you would like to have your watch match your wallet, and your wallet happens to hold a surplus of $20,000, then you could be in the market for the Piguet Jules Audemars Men’s Watch 15120BC.OO.A002CR.01. Join the ranks of sportsmen like Novak Djokovic, LeBron James, and Rory McIlroy and don an AP to say you understand (and own) the essence of eminence. With this Audemars Piguet on your person, there will be no end to the compliments it is sure to elicit.

In search of an unique designer time piece?  Look no further, the Audemars Piguet Millenary watch is one of a kind, ensuring you originality amongst your friends.

The great thing about this Audemars Piguet watch is that it is both classy and sporty, making it great for any occasion you could possibly think of.  The theme of this watch is certainly black.  The black stainless steel case has a very unique shape measuring at 45 millimeters in width and 40 millimeters in length, making it a great size sure to fit most men.  The thickness of this case measures at 8.9 millimeters.  The black dial is certainly the most eye catching part of this watch.  The dial contains a white second, minute and hour hand all pointing to white roman numeral hour indicators.  Around the hands and numbers is a hypnotic bar type pattern.  Over the dial is scratch resistant sapphire crystal to save you from any casual accidents that may happen.  The gorgeous black alligator strap accompanies the black theme of the watch.  To ensure that your watch will be secured to your wrist at all times, the band contains a deployment clasp.  A great feature of this watch is that it has a little date window by the hour three.  Another spectacular feature this watch has is that it can go as deep as 20 meters of water, making it great for a day at the lake or that big summer cruise you’ve been planning to take.  With its classy look, this watch is also great for those out of town business trips and long meetings.  You’re sure to be the envy of all of your friends when sporting this watch.  This time piece is very luxurious, retailing at $21,400.

If you’re a fan of this specific Audemars Piguet Millenary watch but not so into the all black theme, don’t worry.  The Millenary comes in several different variations.  A unique, colorful variation of this watch includes a brown strap, gold case and turquoise numerals and hands.  If you’re looking for something more eye catching, there is a variation of the Millenary watch available that contains baguette-cut diamonds all around the dial.

Pros

• Water resistant up to 20 meters
• Date window
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Unique shape
• Luxurious designer watch

If you are genuinely interested in purchasing this fancy time piece, it is best to do so through an authorized Audemars Piguet dealer.  Designer watches are one of the most counterfeited items on the internet, don’t fall victim to a scam.  Always make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth, especially on a luxurious watch like the Audemars Piguet Millenary watch.

In search of an elegant designer men’s watch with a classic feel?  Well then, your search ends here.  The Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars automatic men’s watch incorporates style and chic all within this luxurious time piece.

This fancy Audemars Piguet men’s watch is sure to catch everyone’s eyes with its timeless look.  The beautiful 18kt rose gold case measures at 39mm in diameter, making it a perfect fit for most men.  The crocodile brown leather bracelet gives this watch a very professional feel, making it ideal for those long business trips and meetings.  The bracelet measures at eight inches in length making it a great fit for the average man.  The bracelet also contains a pin and buckle clasp to ensure that your watch will be on your wrist at all times.  The white dial adds an unique appearance to the watch with its fine linear guilloche texture pattern.  Attached to the white dial are polished rose gold second, minute and hour hands which point to rose gold applied roman numeral hour markers.  The dial is protected by scratch resistant crystal.  A great feature of this watch is that there is a date window positioned by the hour three.  This classic time piece is water resistant in up to 60 feet or 20 meters of water.  This watch is a very luxurious item to own, retailing at $20,600.

The Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars automatic men’s watch is available in many different styles and colors.  The Jules Audemars collection has thin variations of this watch available as well as stainless steel watches with black bracelets and diamonds lining the case.  The Jules Audemars collection also has a very elegant ladies watch line if you’re looking for a matching watch for the mrs.

Pros

• Water resistant up to 60 feet or 20 meters
• Luxurious designer watch
• Classic look
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
• Date window
• Average size case and bracelet – perfect fit for most men
• Available in many different styles and colors

If you are genuinely interested in purchasing the Jules Audemars automatic men’s watch, it is best to do so through an authorized Audemars Piguet dealer.  Luxury watch replicas and counterfeits can be found all over the internet.  If you’re serious about spending this much money on a watch it’s best to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth and it’s better to be safe rather than sorry!

Whether you’re on that summer cruise or at that late night cocktail party, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars automatic men’s watch is sure to catch the eye of all your friends and acquaintances.

By Debbie O’Brien

Audemars Piguet Headquarters in Switzerland

My Journey to the Audemar Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26300ST.OO.1110ST.06:

In my search for a new watch for my husband, I checked out the Audemars Piguet website.  So many choices!   But, before making such a significant purchase, I needed answers to questions. Questions like: who are these people, what choices are available,  how long have they been in business, what is their reputation, who even likes their product? As I studied their website, and the stainless steel Royal Oak Chronograph in particular, I knew my search was over.

When they opened their company in 1875, Jules Louis Audemars’ and Edward Auguste Piguet’s passion for creating and crafting fine time pieces was the cornerstone of their every endeavor. It is no different today. Each and every watch bearing the Audemars Piguet pedigree is built as if it will be the only watch to represent the company.

The ambassador program for Audemars Piguet mirrors this company’s never-ending quest for quality, competitive spirit, and hallmark recognition in their respective fields. Ambassadors are chosen from the art , sports, technology, community, and business worlds.

The Audemars Piguet Prestige Sports Collection redefines the word sports while encouraging a broader sense of the characteristics that define an athlete.

Royal Oak Chronograph, Model No. 26300ST.OO.1110ST.06

To name just a few of their ambassadors:

• Svetlana Zakharova, principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow
• Lebron James, two-time NBA MVP was signed on as a global ambassador
• Lionel Messi, FIFA professional and Olympic Gold Medal soccer player
• Sachin Tendulkar, right-handed batsman for the Mumbai Indians cricket team

The case and watch band are brushed, polished stainless steel, giving the watch a modern industrial appearance. The dial (or face) is a complementing metallic color with a design reminiscent of a man-hole cover! Three sub-dials are black with matching rims and white hands which point to black numbers on a silver background for quick and easy reading. The date window is white with black numbers located just above the five o’clock position on the dial.

Here are a just few of the endearing qualities of Audemar Piguet’s Royal Oak Chronograph 26300ST.OO.1110ST.06s:

• Hour marks match the minutes and hours hands
• White sub-dial hands against a black background
• The seconds hand is a contrasting red
• The hand on the seconds sub-dial is white with a red tip
• The chronograph function has a 12 hour capacity w/30 minute counter
• The movement is automatic: No winding! No batteries!
• Water resistant to 50 meters/ about 165 feet
• Watch band has a bracelet-style push button clasp
• All this and it’s only 39mm x 49.5 mm (1.5″ x 1.9″) including bolts
• 11 millimeters thick (.4″)
• Warranty, and more!

This watch retains a hard-working,  athletic look without sacrificing the luxury and the quality that are synonymous with Audemars Piguet.  Quality comes with a price, of course, but I found several authorized dealers online selling the stainless steel Royal Oak Chronograph in prices ranging between $14,500.00 and $20,000.00.

Royal Oak Chronograph in Stainless Steel and a Black dial

Are you a man that likes robots? Do you like futuristic looking things that have nifty buttons, are shiny, and have a cool shape? How about practicality? Do you want your gizmo from the future to be productive? How about the quality and the desirability of your gadget? You want it to be top notch and be the envy of all, right? Well, consider the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph watch for men.

This timepiece looks like something Tom Cruise’s character in the movie, Minority Report would wear while being a badass and trying to survive an ultra-modernistic,  corrupt government. The Royal Oak Chronograph’s hexagonal shape secured down by 8 screws, makes it easily distinct from other watches’ designs. The case and bracelet are made of a brushed and polished Stainless Steel finish with bevel edges.  Case Diameter is 39mm by 49.5mm including lugs, and the case thickness is 11mm. A Push Button Fold-over Clasp secures the bracelet around your wrist.  The dial is Metallic Black with an engraved tapestry “waffle” design, and has a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock position.  The crystal protecting the dial is made of Scratch Resistant Sapphire. The hour markers and hands are of applied silver toned index with a luminescent fill. The watch also contains 37 Jewels.

Other functions of the Royal Oak Chronograph include automatic movement, a 12 hour stopwatch, and self-winding Chronograph. It also has an AP Caliber of 2385 beats at 21,600 vph. The approximate power reserve is 40 hours and it has a water resistance of 50m/ 165 ft.

Pros: the watch contains 37 jewels that aren’t highly visible. This could be a good thing since many men would rather not show off the bling, but the jewels add monetary value besides fashion value to the watch.  The watch has many useful functions: hour, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, and water resistance. It also comes with a warranty.

Cons: Metal watches usually start off cold and take awhile to warm up, so some may find the chill factor a little uncomfortable. Two buttons for the stopwatch stick out quite a bit on the right side that can get caught on things. The watch costs $15,525 and to me, the value isn’t super apparent, visibly. The watches all-steel finish doesn’t make it look like a watch that would cost up to $20,700.

So who should own this watch? Men who like to be discreet about their wealth perhaps, or men who like the hexagonal shape, all-Stainless Steel material, and chronographs that give it a polished and futuristic appearance. The variations to the Royal Oak Chronograph 2600STOO1110ST03 by Audemars Piguet you can get, are mostly based on dial color and other color details inside the watch. You can get it with a dial color difference of:  blue, white, or brown.

Manufacture des Forges

February 18, 2010 – Built in the beautiful Joux Valley where Audemars Piguet originated in 1875,  German magazine Immobilienmanager recognizes Manufacture des Forges  for its environmentally-friendly design.

Never before has an  industrial facility received this coveted award for its efforts in compliance to “Minergie-Eco®” standards.  Director of Audemars Germany Axel Felmy accepted the award with great pride,  mentioning  the employees and local people will all benefit from this design.

Taking into account health and environmental issues  in the construction of the building  and based on the “Minergie-Eco®” criteria the designers used non-toxic materials in the creation of the plant.  The heating system utilizes a carbon-neutral wood-fired design and instead of traditional air conditioning, the plant is cooled with a “Free-Cooling” design using outside air.

The 300 workers who are employed at the plant enjoy their ergonomic workstations created especially for them.    Special attention was paid to the lighting which is north-facing and offers views of the Orbe.  Beautifully landscaped gardens using native plants provide a stable bank on the river and a lovely sight for the workers.  The landscape design took the local trout into consideration as well offering them a shady place to rest.

Making sure standards were met by the Audemars Piguet Foundation Mrs. Jasmine Audemars, great-granddaughter of the founder and president, presided over the project.  The foundation ensures the  preservation of endangered forests and of raising awareness since 1992.

Royal Oak Offshore

March 13, 2010 – In conjunction with its latest boutique in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Audemars Piguet introduces the Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix chronograph inspired by racing.  With 200 exclusive international brands in the “Moda Mall” a 240 meter building with twin towers resembling sails in the Arabian Gulf, Audemars Piguet now joins the luxury watch offerings.

 This is the third store opening in the Middle East region, Audemars Piguet is plans a fourth store  in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection was warmlyreceived at SIHH 2010 and is reminiscent of the world of fine cars. 

The face of the watch resembles the dashboard of a car, the crown looks reminds one of a gear and the bezel like a disc brake with bolts holding it to the case.  Limited series, each watch is a work of sophistication and fine engineering.   

Three models to choose from:

26290IO.OO.A001VE.01
. carbon case, carbon and black ceramic bezel
. black titanium crown, ceramic and titanium pushpieces and pushpiece guards
. titanium caseback with  sapphire crystal
Limited to 1750 pieces

26290RO.OO.A001VE.01
. 18-carat pink gold case and crown
. carbon and black ceramic bezel
. black ceramic and pink gold pushpieces
. carbon pushpiece guards
. pink gold caseback with sapphire crystal
Limited to 650 pieces

26290PO.OO.A001VE.01
. 950 platinum
. carbon and black ceramic bezel
. white gold crown
. black ceramic and white gold pushpieces
. carbon pushpiece guards
. platinum caseback with sapphire crystal
Limited to 75 pieces

Thailand’s King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

March 18, 2010 – Since 2001 the King’s Cup Elephant Tournament has attracted people from all over the world to raise money to protect Thailand’s elephants and their heritage.  Audemars Piguet and Anantara Resorts to date have raised US$250,000 used to care for more than 60 elephants. 

In 2006 the proceeds were used to build an elephant ambulance for use at the National Elephant Institute (NEI) which provides free veterinary and in-patient care.  Audemars Piguet selects projects that reflect its fundamental values of tradition, excellence and innovation. 

Conserving the planet’s natural heritage and safeguarding animals, Audemars Piguet supports educational projects and environmental awareness-raising.  Anantara Resorts is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) the world’s largest independent hotel group.

GHA partners are renowned for respecting local culture and traditions through their services and products.  The name Anatara is taken from the Sanskrit word meaning “without end” after a Thai tradition of welcoming passing travelers with a jar of water outside of their homes.

Thailand is thought to have a population of around 3,600 domesticated elephants and 1,500 wild elephants.  Medical care, sustenance, employment and mahout training is provided for the elephant population. 

Proceeds from the 2009 project were used as part of a joint Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, Chiang Mai University project investigating the benefits of using elephants to treat Autism.  Forty players from four continents and at least 15 countries made up the 12 teams from 2009. 

It has gone from a small two-day event to a week long extravaganza.  The event takes place on the grounds of the Anantara Resort Golden triangle, admission is free.

MC12

Imagine if you will wearing a piece of technological wizardry on your wrist designed after the limited edition MC12 Maserati sports car.  A work of art built for only 150 lucky individuals, the Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon Chronograph and the car are limited editions. 

The tourbillion chronograph offers a platinum case protected by a sapphire scratch-resistant crystal with self-winding movement.  Every piece of this watch is made by hand.  With a 237 hour power reserve and indication you will always be in the know about your battery life. 

The off-center skeletonized dial  allows a view deep into the inner workings of this masterpiece.  The strap is made from blue crocodile offset by white stitching.

Audemars Piguet Caliber 2884 contains 30 jewels, 336 parts and 21,600vph.  The chronograph has a 30 minute carbon totalizer at 12 o’clock.  You will find the sweep center seconds, chrono pushers in the 10 and 2 o’clock  positions.

This watch measures in at 47.0mm with a transparent back to admire it from both sides.   With a fixed  bezel it is also water resistant to 20 meters or 65 feet making it suitable for any Spring shower, taking a dip or light diving should the mood strike you.

Matching the Maserati MC12 high performance sports car in every detail, perhaps if you are lucky enough you can make it a matching pair.  It would be exquisite.