Audemars Piguet and the new code 11:59: exclusive interview with the Country Manager.
Today I came to the SIHH in Geneva (the Haute Horlogerie Show)
to see the latest news in the world of watchmaking
(at least from the Manufacturers participating in this Show)
and I interviewed for you readers Andrea Cardillo,
Country Manager of Audemars Piguet and dearest friend. And the occasion could not have been better, given that the Manufacture presents its latest collection, which Andrea will describe below!
D. Hello Andrea. Let’s start by asking you something about yourself and your background …
A. I grew up in the world of hands. both of my parents worked in the field of watchmaking and, as you can imagine, once the opportunity presented itself, taking this path was a natural choice. My career began in the early 2000s in Corum; I was in my early 20s and had little experience. After a few years of apprenticeship, in 2004 I met Franco Ziviani (the previous Italian Country Manager) at a dinner, who suggested that I work for him in Milan as his personal assistant. The call of Audemars Piguet was obviously very strong and so I decided to move from Rome and start an adventure, which has been going on for 14 years now, and which today has led me to fill the role of Country Manager Italy.fake Audemars Piguet
Q. Let’s move on to Audemars Piguet; tell us how she was born.
A. The history of Audemars Piguet begins in le Brassus, in the heart of the Vallée de Joux, the cradle of world fine watchmaking. This territory has exceptional natural resources such as forests, water, ice and rocks that have favored the development and success of the watch industry. Already towards the end of the 17th century, during the long winter months, farmers began to devote their days to the production of timepieces, transforming their homes into real workshops. With industrialization, two young watchmakers Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, combined their talents and their experience and founded Audemars Piguet in 1875, to date the oldest watchmaking factory still managed by the founding families.best replica watches
Q. What are the most significant things that Audemars Piguet has done in the recent past?
A. Audemars Piguet is known to specialize in the production of complicated parts. During the last SIHH we unveiled the prototype of the Royal Oak rd # 2, the thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar in the world with a thickness of just 6.30 mm: a record in the world of watchmaking! Not to mention the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon models; alongside the new GMT reference for men, the Concept collection has also been extended, for the first time, to the female universe. Finally, I cannot fail to mention our spearhead, the new Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication entirely in ceramic: pushers, crown, push button protectors and case… a real jewel of which we are very proud.watch
Q. Is there a piece or a line that, in your opinion, best reflects the spirit of Audemars Piguet?Audemars Piguet and the new code 11:59: exclusive interview with the Country Manager
A. Although the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections are the best known, all Audemars Piguet models reflect, albeit with different nuances, a single spirit: that of our maison, with the aim of satisfying the desires of our customers in the best possible way. and watchmaking enthusiasts from all over the world.
Q. How important is research and development for you?
A. Research for us is undoubtedly a fundamental activity; after all, it is no coincidence that our motto is “to break the rules, you must first master them”, that is tradition and avant-garde are inextricably intertwined in the history of our brand.
D. Can you give us an idea of how many pieces you make each year?
A .: Certainly. Since 2012 we have set production at only 40,000 pieces per year.
D. Let’s talk about the Offshore. In 2018 you celebrated the 25th anniversary of the collection; you can tell us something more: how it was born, characteristics, distinctive signs, etc. have you made a celebratory model for this anniversary?
A. That’s right, the Royal Oak Offshore collection last year blew out 25 candles.
After the launch of the first Offshore in 1993, over 120 references of this model were produced in various materials, such as steel, titanium, gold and platinum. In 2018, alongside the reissue of the original Offshore, Audemars introduced a new model equipped with a chronograph and tourbillon – available in steel or 18-karat rose gold, each limited to 50 pieces. With a completely redesigned movement, the Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph also features a new dial built as an authentic work of contemporary architecture, testifying to the bold approach that our maison has always sought to convey through the aesthetics of its offshore collection. while remaining true to its DNA.
Q. We almost always talk about Royal Oak. But you have other models that hide amazing movements. Or am I wrong?
R. You are absolutely not wrong! As for the female universe, the Millennary collection represents a milestone. It is a collection that hides a unique mechanism of its kind, designed to be enclosed in an oval case and to be visible directly from the dial. Fresh, always new thanks to the brand new colored straps capable of satisfying the mood of the most demanding women, but also classic and refined in the models with opal dial and Polish knit bracelet. Speaking of sensational movements, I cannot fail to mention another flagship of our brand: in the Jules Audemars collection we find the first collector’s classic equipped with the innovative “supersonnerie” complication or minute repeater, which boasts three patents, capable of producing an unprecedented harmonic and crystalline sound. a true masterpiece of mechanical engineering.
Q. Can you briefly describe the current collection? So, finally, we can talk about the “newcomer” who is already making a lot of talk about himself …
A. 2019 will be a year that will remain in Audemars history. Alongside the novelties related to our iconic Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections, this year we present a unique collection of its kind: code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, capable of embodying the DNA of our brand but with a look that goes beyond.
Q. Why did you call it Code 11:59?
R. Code is the acronym for the English words challenge (to challenge), own (respect traditions), give (dare) and evolve (evolve). 11.59 instead is the minute before the new day, which means our constant projection to tomorrow. With 13 different models, including four complications, this collection represents one of the most important and complete in the history of the Manufacture, designed specifically for both a female and male audience.
Q. Why did Audemars Piguet decide to end the collaboration with the Geneva Motor Show?
R. After 19 years of partnership, we have decided that 2019 will be the last year in which we will present our new products at the Geneva Motor Show. For some time the watch industry has been changing and with it also our business model, which is increasingly oriented towards providing a fast and higher quality service to the end customer and to all lovers of fine watchmaking in the world. I would like to remind you that Audemars Piguet, as a founding member of the FHH (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie), will nevertheless remain a partner of the foundation while continuing to support its cultural activities.Audemars Piguet and the new code 11:59: exclusive interview with the Country Manager
