Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Exhibition

Anthony Tsai provides an extensive overview of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Exhibition in Singapore. His post details the event's scale, historical context, and the various activities designed to celebrate the iconic timepiece, offering readers a comprehensive look at this significant milestone.

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. Designed by late designer Gerald Genta, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak faced fierce initial criticism and even contempt before it evolved to be today’s icon. Born amid a climate of artistic experiementation and intellectual effervescence, it overturned the far more conformist customs of mechanical watchmaking.

ROYAL OAK AND 40 YEARS OF ROYAL SUCCESS THE BIGGEST EXHIBITION FOR A SOLO COLLECTION BY A WATCH BRAND EVER

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of design icon – The Royal Oak, the Swiss Manufacture from Le Brassus curated an exhibition of 100 exceptional timepieces set against the backdrop that underscores Audemars Piguet’s origins, mastery and artistry. Singapore was the last stop of the travel exhibition, having made waves around the world at the key major cities of New York, Milan, Paris, and Beijing.

On the opening night of 9th October, the Manufacture hosted an invitation-only cocktail gala for 400 guests, many of whom traveled from the region to attend. The art deco architecture of Singapore's decommissioned Tanjong Pagar Railway Station sets an enchanting backdrop for the 40th Anniversary celebration of the design icon. Equally boasting of a rich illustrious history through time, the railway station was the befitting venue to showcase the evolution of the Royal Oak over the decades.

Apart from the iconic timepieces and invaluable memorabilia dating back to the beginning of the 70s on display, invited guests were given a visual treat to visit the watchmaker’s area which featured a working guillochage machine. Surrounding the mighty machine that had produced many an exquisite timepiece, guests had the opportunity to witness the beating heart of the skilled craftsmanship in assembling Audemars Piguet’s finest movements.

The ebullient spirit of the gala reception extended to the railway platform which saw Australian singer-songwriter Sarah Blaskow serenading guests under the starry open sky with her unique sound notes. Colourful bright lights from the stage, which was specially set up atop the railway tracks, illuminated the old tiles and interior of the railway station. The multitalented lady gave the guests a captivating performance, as they indulged in the fine culinary delights and drinks along the trackside.

Three nights of gaiety followed, as Audemars Piguet strengthened its relationships with the local retailers and loyal customers through the private cocktail receptions.

Opened to the public from 10th to 14th October, the exhibition was met with a warm and wellreceived response, with a high and steady flow of people streaming into the railway station to check out the exhibition each day. Members of the public had the opportunity to register themselves for the guided tours, to enhance their experiences at the exhibition. Special appreciation sessions were conducted with the supercars clubs, where Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati car owners enjoyed a privileged guided tour and tea reception. Students from Art Schools in Singapore were invited to immerse in the artistic ambience and to understand the art and design codes of the exhibition.

“This exhibition is an excellent opportunity for the public and our partners to understand the passion and our commitment to the world of horology. The artistic approach to the exhibition provides the perfect backdrop to stage the epic saga of the Royal Oak – iconoclast turned icon which so vividly embodies Audemars Piguet’s enduring spirit of independence,” Oliviero Bottinelli, Audemars Piguet Managing Director, Asia.

The exhibition also brings forth the radical act and authentic work of art through the innovative perspective of three contemporary artists. Using design, photography, sound and film from creative director Sebastien Leon Agneessens, digital artist Quayola and photographer Dan Holdsworth, the Manufacture presented these rare watches, from the very first Royal Oak in 1972 to the latest models presented to showcase the brand’s ability to innovate and create, illustrating how the Royal Oak became the icon it is today.

Dan Holdsworth’s photographic work documented the Vallee de Joux in Switzerland, the place where the story started, at its stillest hours, capturing the ancient forests and glacial topography under the celestial presence of mist of moon to convey the extraordinary temporal significance vested in the landscape.
Matter , Quayola’s time-based digital sculpture, played with The Thinker as a metaphor for the ethos and approach behind the Royal Oak. Like Audemars Piguet, Rodin first mastered the rules of the academia to then eventually break them to create the iconic sculpture that is now considered the bridge with modernity.
Sebastien Leon Agneessens’ sculptural and sonic installation features massive metallic rock fragments inspired by the Royal’s Oak’s materiality and angular shapes, while offering a new experience of time by infiltrating the intrinsic sounds of timepieces and by rearranging ambient recordings from Le Brassus.

After 40 years, the allure of the Royal Oak is retained and this speaks volumes for itself as a true classic and icon in the watchmaking industry. The year-long celebration of the iconic timepiece ended with a royal success and remains a significant milestone in the watchmaking history.

Press Release