Audemars Piguet

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My Visit to Manufacture D'Horlogerie Audemars Piguet! Part 2!

A beautiful sunny day in Geneva is how the day started. Audemars Piguet really took care of us. We had a driver take us from Geneva up to the factory. What a gorgeous drive. It was about an hour and fifteen minutes away.

The driver was very nice even though his english was very minimal. You just got a good vibe from him as he showed us the sights while driving up. Of course he had an offshore on.

The museum is also there but we didn't have time to do both that day. Who cares, just another reason to go back! You definitely need a couple of hours in the museum.

We are getting close!

Ahhhhh.....There it is!

Main Offices.Got to love 1875

The Museum is to the left.

Inside the main office entrance. The glass door which leads you in on the right has some great print on them. I didn't snap a picture though. Love the watchmaker desk.

From the main office we had to drive down to the new facility. Here is our ride again. Can't go wrong with Audi.

Here is the new facility. Very impressive! It's also like Fort Knox inside. I just love this picture.

Jenny-Lynn granted me access to take pictures of everything but I will not post everything here out of respect to AP. Every single Audemars Piguet employee was inviting and let me ask questions and take pictures. They are extremely friendly and love to share their passion. They are all true artists. Each with their own set of skills. Amazing work!

Skeleton dial being created.

Hand finishing bridges.

This particular artisans view.

This watchmaker was showing us the different oils for the movement. She actually hand assembled the chronograph modules in lightning speed.
Offshore movements on the table.

The gauge is to check the pressure of the chronograph start/stop and reset buttons

Notice that box of screws in front of her. In that box are 10 or so different size screws. Usually they are all separated but she doesn't like to work that way. Her method is to just have them all in one box and pick them out one by one. I was truly stunned. She picks them all out with no problems.

Some pieces in from various boutiques.

Grande Complication Room. It's just crazy in here. The pieces in here all under one roof blew my mind.

Master watchmaker showing me how the Grande Complications are put together. Start to finish this is his baby.

Yup......That's 3/4 of a Million US Dollars there. The sound is priceless. The wood used to make these "amplifiers" are from right behind the factory in the valley. You can't just use any wood.

Audemars Piguet Research and Development. Amazing things come from this place.

I couldn't believe I was going to see this!

From start to finish this process is a sight to see.

I have many pics from this department but I am only posting a few out of respect to AP. Please don't ask for more. Thanks!

Grand Prix Collection Bezel Just Made.

QC and finishing. Everything that comes out has to be finished by this gentleman. It was nice to have my Alinghi with me because everyone in this department was happy to see one in the wild. They work on all of these carbon models but they rarely see them all together as a watch being used if that makes sense.

After my tour of the factory Jenny-Lynn had a nice surprise for me. She took me up to Octavio Garcia's office. Imagine my surprise when she did this. Octavio was nothing but great. He sat with me for about 40 minutes and showed me some of his work. He is extremely talented and I was honored to meet him. Unbelievable things are coming from AP.

After the amazing tour and meeting with Octavio we sat down to a delicious meal at the hotel next door. Les Horlogers. hotel-horlogers.ch n

Exquisite Food, people and scenery. I will for sure stay there a night or two next time. Again my sincere gratitude to Pierre, Jenny-Lynn, Octavio and the rest of the folks at Audemars Piguet for having us there. A memorable experience that I will never forget.

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