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The Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition Arrives in Singapore 10 – 14 October 2012
ROYAL OAK 40 YEARS THE JOURNEY OF AN ICONIC TIMEPIECE TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM.
To break the rules, you must first master them - 40 years ago, Audemars Piguet broke all rules of fine watchmaking when in 1972 it introduced the ground-breaking design of the Royal Oak, an unprecedented steel watch and the first luxury sports watch in Haute Horlogerie. No one could have predicted anything whatsoever regarding its legendary destiny when it was launched. 40 years on, the Royal Oak not only became one of the brand’s signature pieces but it is also one of the world’s most recognisable timepieces.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak, the Swiss Manufacture from Le Brassus has put together a unique, ephemeral exhibition. Using design, photography, sound and film from three unequivocally 21st century artists, Sebastien Leon Agneessens, Quayola and Dan Holdsworth, the Manufacture curated an exhibition of 100 exceptional timepieces set against the backdrop that underscores Audemars Piguet’s origins, mastery and artistry. These rare watches, from the very first Royal Oak in 1972 to the latest models are presented to showcase the brand’s ability to innovate and create, illustrating how the Royal Oak became the icon it is today.
The inspiration of these artists stemmed from their visits to La Brassus manufacture in the Vallee de Joux in the Swiss canton of Vaud, where it is the home of Audemars Piguet since 1875. The artistic rendition by the artists created an ambience that will immerse every visitor deep in the Vallée de Joux, the birth place of Haute Horlogerie in Switzerland. The Vallée de Joux in the Swiss Jura mountains has for millennia been a harsh and unyielding environment, a place of raw nature and unforgiving climate. It was not until the sixth century that monks first settled in the Vallée as they saw in its austere surroundings a place of serenity and spirituality, a place where the early watchmakers concentrated on mastering the most complex mechanism during winter.
Drawing the inspiration from the natural origins of Audemars Piguet in La Brassus, Sebastien Leon Agneessens, the creative mind behind the overall design of the exhibition, created hundreds of tubular sticks of different heights to symbolise the forests of the valley and treated them as organ-like sound sculptures surrounding the exhibition area. At the core of the Royal Oak exhibition is his sculptural work – Fragments – which is made to resemble a fragmented mineral rock typically found in the Vallée de Joux and symbolizing Audemars Piguet. Composed of a massive metallic rock split into six indivudal pieces with each unit assigned to a specific function – a watchmaker’s desk, watch showcases and an interactive station. The angular and multi-faceted exterior of the fragments and its dark reflective metal surface were inspired by the Royal Oak, creating a natural contrast with the wooden interior which reflects Audemars Piguet’s long tradition and humble origins.
Apart from the 100 iconic Royal Oak timepieces and invaluable memorabilia dating back to the beginning of the 70s, the exhibition features a working guillochage machine with a highly skilled watchmaker, a watchmaker working on two Royal Oak movements, a magnifying video camera linked to a video monitor embedded in the counter, as well as four exploded views of the watches. Visitors will be treated to a whole new level of interactive experience as they witness the beating heart of the skilled craftsmanship in assembling Audemars Piguet’s finest movements.
The contemporary lens of photographer Dan Holdsworth captures the terrain of the Vallée de Joux and its special – cosmic – relationship to time. Documenting the Valley at its stillest hours, Dan Holdsworth was able to capture the ancient forests and glacial topography under the celestial presence of mist or moon to convey the extraordinary temporal significance vested in the landscape. This incredible link between nature, man and his creations, the complex movements that have become the beating hearts of every Audemars Piguet timepiece, continues to live in Le Brassus of the 21st century and inspires the watchmakers of today as they pursue their never-ending quest to unravel the mysteries of nature. One of these images has been selected for the new branding campaign of Audemars Piguet, launched worldwide beginning of January 2012.
Quayola's work for Audemars Piguet 40-years exhibition is a study and celebration of ‘matter’ itself, the substance of all physical objects. The installation focuses on a continuous transformation and metamorphosis of matter – from the grace, complexity and unpredictability of geological forms, to the perfection, beauty and precision of man-made objects of art. Through a process of continuous mutation and metamorphosis it explores simultaneously classical art, 1970s sculpture and contemporary digital aesthetics. Specific sculpture's have been reinterpreted by the artist as icons of man's craftsmanship, reflecting on the classical view of man's mastery over matter.
As part of the celebration of the forty regal years, the newly launched limited edition Royal Oak Leo Messi Chronograph case no. 10 in platinum and tantalum, will be displayed for the first time in Singapore. This exclusive piece will be auctioned off at the end of the exhibition run, with proceeds going to the Leo Messi Foundation. Other highlights include the Royal Oak Grande Complication which was specially created in 1998 for the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté and the Royal Oak Concept as an avant-garde tribute to the Royal Oak’s 30 years of watchmaking revolution.
The Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition will culminate its worldwide tour in Singapore from 10 – 14 October 2012 at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, following the showcase in New York, Milan, Paris, Geneva and Beijing. Guided tours will be available to enhance the exhibition experience. Shuttles buses will be available from the Audemars Piguet boutique at Liat Tower and Tanjong Pagar MRT (Exit B). Admission to the Royal Oak Exhibition is free.
To break the rules, you must first master them - 40 years ago, Audemars Piguet broke all rules of fine watchmaking when in 1972 it introduced the ground-breaking design of the Royal Oak, an unprecedented steel watch and the first luxury sports watch in Haute Horlogerie. No one could have predicted anything whatsoever regarding its legendary destiny when it was launched. 40 years on, the Royal Oak not only became one of the brand’s signature pieces but it is also one of the world’s most recognisable timepieces.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak, the Swiss Manufacture from Le Brassus has put together a unique, ephemeral exhibition. Using design, photography, sound and film from three unequivocally 21st century artists, Sebastien Leon Agneessens, Quayola and Dan Holdsworth, the Manufacture curated an exhibition of 100 exceptional timepieces set against the backdrop that underscores Audemars Piguet’s origins, mastery and artistry. These rare watches, from the very first Royal Oak in 1972 to the latest models are presented to showcase the brand’s ability to innovate and create, illustrating how the Royal Oak became the icon it is today.
The inspiration of these artists stemmed from their visits to La Brassus manufacture in the Vallee de Joux in the Swiss canton of Vaud, where it is the home of Audemars Piguet since 1875. The artistic rendition by the artists created an ambience that will immerse every visitor deep in the Vallée de Joux, the birth place of Haute Horlogerie in Switzerland. The Vallée de Joux in the Swiss Jura mountains has for millennia been a harsh and unyielding environment, a place of raw nature and unforgiving climate. It was not until the sixth century that monks first settled in the Vallée as they saw in its austere surroundings a place of serenity and spirituality, a place where the early watchmakers concentrated on mastering the most complex mechanism during winter.
Drawing the inspiration from the natural origins of Audemars Piguet in La Brassus, Sebastien Leon Agneessens, the creative mind behind the overall design of the exhibition, created hundreds of tubular sticks of different heights to symbolise the forests of the valley and treated them as organ-like sound sculptures surrounding the exhibition area. At the core of the Royal Oak exhibition is his sculptural work – Fragments – which is made to resemble a fragmented mineral rock typically found in the Vallée de Joux and symbolizing Audemars Piguet. Composed of a massive metallic rock split into six indivudal pieces with each unit assigned to a specific function – a watchmaker’s desk, watch showcases and an interactive station. The angular and multi-faceted exterior of the fragments and its dark reflective metal surface were inspired by the Royal Oak, creating a natural contrast with the wooden interior which reflects Audemars Piguet’s long tradition and humble origins.
Apart from the 100 iconic Royal Oak timepieces and invaluable memorabilia dating back to the beginning of the 70s, the exhibition features a working guillochage machine with a highly skilled watchmaker, a watchmaker working on two Royal Oak movements, a magnifying video camera linked to a video monitor embedded in the counter, as well as four exploded views of the watches. Visitors will be treated to a whole new level of interactive experience as they witness the beating heart of the skilled craftsmanship in assembling Audemars Piguet’s finest movements.
The contemporary lens of photographer Dan Holdsworth captures the terrain of the Vallée de Joux and its special – cosmic – relationship to time. Documenting the Valley at its stillest hours, Dan Holdsworth was able to capture the ancient forests and glacial topography under the celestial presence of mist or moon to convey the extraordinary temporal significance vested in the landscape. This incredible link between nature, man and his creations, the complex movements that have become the beating hearts of every Audemars Piguet timepiece, continues to live in Le Brassus of the 21st century and inspires the watchmakers of today as they pursue their never-ending quest to unravel the mysteries of nature. One of these images has been selected for the new branding campaign of Audemars Piguet, launched worldwide beginning of January 2012.
Quayola's work for Audemars Piguet 40-years exhibition is a study and celebration of ‘matter’ itself, the substance of all physical objects. The installation focuses on a continuous transformation and metamorphosis of matter – from the grace, complexity and unpredictability of geological forms, to the perfection, beauty and precision of man-made objects of art. Through a process of continuous mutation and metamorphosis it explores simultaneously classical art, 1970s sculpture and contemporary digital aesthetics. Specific sculpture's have been reinterpreted by the artist as icons of man's craftsmanship, reflecting on the classical view of man's mastery over matter.
As part of the celebration of the forty regal years, the newly launched limited edition Royal Oak Leo Messi Chronograph case no. 10 in platinum and tantalum, will be displayed for the first time in Singapore. This exclusive piece will be auctioned off at the end of the exhibition run, with proceeds going to the Leo Messi Foundation. Other highlights include the Royal Oak Grande Complication which was specially created in 1998 for the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté and the Royal Oak Concept as an avant-garde tribute to the Royal Oak’s 30 years of watchmaking revolution.
The Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition will culminate its worldwide tour in Singapore from 10 – 14 October 2012 at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, following the showcase in New York, Milan, Paris, Geneva and Beijing. Guided tours will be available to enhance the exhibition experience. Shuttles buses will be available from the Audemars Piguet boutique at Liat Tower and Tanjong Pagar MRT (Exit B). Admission to the Royal Oak Exhibition is free.
Some of the key Royal Oak timepieces displayed ...
Press Release
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The Royal Oak 40 Years Exhibition Arrives in Singapore 10 – 14 October 2012
ROYAL OAK 40 YEARS THE JOURNEY OF AN ICONIC TIMEPIECE TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM. To break the rules, you must first master them - 40 years ago, Audemars Piguet broke all rules of fine watchmaking when in 1972 it introduced the ground-...
Thanks to my AD & AP
It was a complete hospitality show from flights to the hotel lodging...and lovely gifts to end with AP ROYAL OAK A SERIES 1972 Worn by me at the exhibition ...
Images of gifts recieved
Gifts received-books, keychain, chocolate Royal Oak designed Chocolate ...
Such nice gifts!
I did not get as much as you did, only the Royal Oak 40 years book! What a nice gesture!
That is a STUNNER, the ICON in (or on!) the flesh!!!
Great photo. Please feel free to post this one more in the future!
