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Audemars Piguet
Founded in Le Brassus in 1875 and still family-controlled, Audemars Piguet is the last of the great houses to remain independent - and the one that made steel a luxury material with the 1972 Royal Oak. Knockoff Watches Wholesale has covered every Royal Oak generation of the past two decades.
383Stories published
1875Maison founded
6Current collections
Audemars Piguet is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in Le Brassus in the Vallee de Joux, and it is still controlled by the founding families. Its defining model is the Royal Oak, designed by Gerald Genta and launched in 1972 as the first luxury steel sports watch, joined by the Royal Oak Offshore, Code 11.59 and Royal Oak Concept. Production is roughly 50,000 watches a year, and the maison sells primarily through its own AP House network rather than third-party retailers.
Audemars PiguetFounded 1875Le BrassusIndependentRoyal OakGerald GentaRoyal Oak OffshoreCode 11.59AP House
The Collection
Royal Oak Jumbo
Extra-thin · 39mm
Cal. 7121
Royal Oak Selfwinding
Integrated bracelet · 37-41mm
Cal. 5900 / 4302
Royal Oak Offshore
Chronograph · 42-43mm
Cal. 4401
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Perpetual · 41mm
Cal. 7138
Code 11.59
Round · 41mm
Cal. 4302 / 4401
Royal Oak Concept
Haute complication
Cal. 2952 / 2968
Latest Audemars Piguet Coverage
All 383 Stories ›
All Features
5 Watches That Hold Their Value Best — and Why
News
What Does “In-House” Mean Today?
Technical
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak vs. Patek Philippe Nautilus: The Genta Steel Icons
News
Your Concise Guide to Integrated Bracelet Watches
News
Introducing the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Yoon and Verbal
News
Audemars Piguet × Swatch Unveil the Royal Pop: The Most Disruptive Watch Collaboration of 2026
Milestones
1875
Founded in Le Brassus; the families still control the company today.
1972
The Royal Oak launches in steel at a gold-watch price and invents the luxury sports watch category.
1993
The Royal Oak Offshore arrives and pushes the case to 42mm.
2019
Code 11.59 becomes the first new AP collection in decades; AP House replaces most third-party retail.
Timely FAQs
Why is the Royal Oak so important?
Because in 1972 it sold a stainless steel watch for the price of a gold one and made that make sense. Gerald Genta's octagonal bezel, exposed screws, integrated bracelet and tapisserie dial created the luxury sports watch category that Nautilus, Overseas and dozens of others followed.
Is Audemars Piguet independent?
Yes. It is the only one of the traditional big three still controlled by its founding families, with no listed parent group. That independence is why the maison can hold volume at roughly 50,000 watches and sell mostly through its own AP House salons.
What is the difference between Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore?
The Offshore is the larger, sportier interpretation launched in 1993 - thicker case, screwed pushers, rubber gaskets and usually a chronograph. The standard Royal Oak stays closer to the 1972 proportions and is the more formal of the two.
Where can I read Audemars Piguet reviews from a watch publication?
Knockoff Watches Wholesale has published more than 150 Audemars Piguet stories since 2006, from Royal Oak anniversaries and Concept pieces to the AP House openings in Miami and beyond.