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A dream day at AP
I’ve been lucky to be invited for a private tour of the AP manufacture and museum, and this was my best watch related day ever!
Absolutely amazing experience with the fantastic AP crew!
We saw case and dial production, no pictures allowed in the production area… but I can say that this is a lot more artisanal and manual than I thought! RO and Code cases are all hand polished in multiple steps, including wood stick / diamond paste polishing for the Code cases. Another interesting learning: Jumbo calibers are assembled from start to finish by the same watchmaker while the other « simple » calibers are assembled on a chain.
where it all started for AP
The founders view - very little has changed since 1875
Starwheel rooted in history
The vintage spares treasure chest
See the « 33 »? That’s for 1933
Continuing with the masterpieces of the museum
The first ever PC wristwatch
RD2 with proto guilloche dial - production RD2 have flat dials because guilloche was adding too much thickness 🤯
The movement of the Schumacher lap timer concept - not recommended for skiing
The first RO, A serie
The Concept Watch 1 - >20 years old and so ahead of its time. It paved the way for RM and many others. I absolutely love it!
Starwheel from the 90’, I’ll own one someday
Hollywood collab done right - End Of Days: when the watch is more memorable than the movie
The beast - 30 years old and also really ahead of its time
The Genta owned Genta design! Mr Genta’s very own Royal Oak
Another collab done right - T3
And now the candy shop - a « VIP room » where all production models (and some discontinued goodies) can be tried as much as you like - you leave the room with stars in the eyes! Very good surprise with the Travis Scott - absolutely stunning in real life
And finishing with some of the accommodations - we did not only see great watches, AP also took good care of our stomach 
L’hôtel des Horlogers, always great to stay there
I declined the limo, roads in Le Brassus are too nice not to drive myself
A huge thank you to AP, love the brand even more after seeing the background !
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A dream day at AP
I’ve been lucky to be invited for a private tour of the AP manufacture and museum, and this was my best watch related day ever! Absolutely amazing experience with the fantastic AP crew! We saw case and dial production, no pictures allowed in the productio...
Great visit, thanks for posting it!
I am guilty of not posting much after I visited with my Family in June. The Museum is so incredible, and innovative. A worthy visit for all AP enthusiasts, and watch fans in general.
That’s an awesome homecoming for your Starwheel!
Thanks for the fantastic pictures. I was on the Purists tour in 2006 and that was great but the revised hotel, museum and facilities look like they have taken it to another level! All the best, Jon
Wonderful pictorial!
The Concept Watch 1 is to me historically the most impressive, it looks as contemporary to my eyes as the day it was released! An astonishing feat in and of itself. Of the many hugely impressive watches you posted, the Travis Scott (no clue who that indiv...
I’m surprised I do know, but Travis Scott is a modern day rapper/performer. I don’t listen to any of his stuff, but I know he’s a successful “brand” with many collaborations including Nike special releases.
As far as the AP released in collaboration with him/his company (called Cactus Jack), it is actually the brown ceramic perpetual calendar openworked watch (on a brown strap). Aside from some controversy over choice of this collaboration and some features ...
Much appreciate the....
abbreviated version of the story behind those watches. Not surprisingly, my second favorite is the perpetual calendar you mention 😄. At least, one has to admit he has excellent taste in watches.... Cheers, Filip
AP a dream come tru
A learnable visit is always interesting. The rooms were it all began. Impressive. I learn a lot of AP, and i see interesting models that could be my first AP. All things start little and odd to see some similarities. Not that i go to start a manufacture 😎...
Amazing post!
Many thanks for sharing this experience and the novelties! Planning to visit this summer! Cheers Peter
Outstanding! I'm so happy to read this!
Not sure if you have been yet Peter? I actually hope you have not, because the first time is always the best!
Hi MichaelC...would be the first time!
And since seeing your original posts decades ago (funny it's been that long!) it has been a dream of mine. Now I got my wife into AP too so now we hope to both visit, eyes wide open! And maybe, make something special! Cheers! Peter
