The story of celebrated family-owned manufacturer Audemars Piguet and its universally acclaimed, widely coveted luxury watches begins deep in the Jura Mountains in western Switzerland.
The Vallée de Joux has been a haven of watchmaking since the late 18th century, when the residents of farming communities began creating timepieces during the winter months.
Jules Louis Audemars (1851–1918) and Edward Auguste Piguet (1853–1919), both natives of the region, were already deeply entrenched in the world of watchmaking when they joined forces to form a new house of horology near the end of the 19th century, an alliance that would be the start of a multigenerational family company. With complementary specialties within the field, Audemars and Piguet made the perfect pair in 1875: Audemars, the more technically minded of the two, oversaw production, while Piguet specialized in quality control and led the business and marketing parts of the outfit.
Audemars Piguet’s first major milestone came in 1892, when it created the world’s first minute-repeating movement for a wristwatch. (It was sold to Omega, whose origins date to 1848.) That was soon followed in 1899 with the Universelle pocket watch, a masterpiece of horology that boasted a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, alarm and chronograph with jumping seconds. It is still said to be the most complicated timepiece that Audemars Piguet has ever designed.
Between 1918 and 1919, both founders of Audemars Piguet had died and were replaced by their respective sons, incidentally both named Paul. Under the leadership of Paul Louis Audemars and Paul Edward Piguet, the watchmaker continued to innovate. It retained an ever-evolving technical focus and found new praise for its efforts, producing the world’s thinnest pocket-watch caliber in 1925, the first skeletonized pocket watch in 1934 and the world’s thinnest wristwatch in 1946.
When the quartz crisis of the 1970s left many watchmakers in the lurch, Audemars and Piguet found a creative solution, tapping the Geneva-born Gérald Genta to conceive the first-ever luxury watch in stainless steel. Launched at what would become the Baselworld watch and jewelry fair in 1972, the Royal Oak, with its octagonal face and integrated bracelet, would come to define the look of Audemars Piguet and revolutionize the luxury wristwatch industry, setting a standard that continues to this day.
Find a collection of vintage Audemars Piguet wristwatches and pocket watches on 1stDibs.
Van Cleef&Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Jewelry Watch – Co-Signed Baume & Mercier
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in PARIS, FR
Van Cleef & Arpels / Baume & Mercier – 18K Yellow Gold Jewelry Watch – Circa 1970 Rare and elegant 18K yellow gold jewelry wristwatch produced by Baume & Mercier and ret...
Yellow Gold
Vacheron Constantin 7813, 18K Yellow Gold Cal. K1014 mechanical Circa 1970s
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Vacheron Constantin Ref. 7813 in 18K yellow gold, produced during the 1970s and powered by the celebrated manufacture calibre K1014. This elegant tonneau-shaped dress watch per...
Yellow Gold
Piaget Cushion Ref 13406, 18K Gold, Ultra-Thin Calibre 12P, Circa 1978
By Piaget
Located in PARIS, FR
PIAGET “Cushion” Automatic – Ref. 13406 – 18K Yellow Gold Elegant late-1970s Piaget “Cushion” wristwatch crafted in 18K yellow gold and powered by the renowned manufacture calibre 1...
18k Gold
Chopard L.U.C Ref. 810 Diamond Bezel with Integrated 18K Gold Bracelet, 1980's
By Chopard
Located in PARIS, FR
Chopard Genève L.U.C Ref. 810 – 18K Yellow Gold & Diamond Jewelry Watch – Circa 1980 Rare and elegant Chopard Genève L.U.C Ref. 810, crafted entirely in 18K yellow gold and produced circa 1980. This refined jewelry watch perfectly illustrates Chopard's distinctive approach to luxury watchmaking during the late twentieth century, combining precious materials, sophisticated design and traditional mechanical watchmaking. The watch features a beautifully executed integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with a satin finish, demonstrating the exceptional jewelry craftsmanship for which Chopard is renowned. Its supple construction and harmonious proportions allow it to be worn as both a fine timepiece and an elegant piece of jewelry. The minimalist gold-tone dial is enhanced by applied gold hour markers and slender baton hands, preserving the watch's understated elegance. Surrounding the dial is a bezel set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 1 carat, providing a refined sparkle while maintaining the overall balance of the design. Powering the watch is the hand-wound Chopard calibre 2512 RZ, a reliable mechanical movement that complements the traditional character of the piece. The 26 mm case offers elegant proportions and excellent wearability, while the integrated bracelet creates a seamless visual flow characteristic of the most successful jewelry watch designs of the period. The watch was fully serviced in May 2026 and is running perfectly. Specifications • Maker: Chopard Genève L.U.C • Reference: 810 • Period: Circa 1980 • Case Number: 401442 • Case: 18K yellow gold (750/1000) • Bezel: Set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately 1 carat total) • Dial: Gold-tone dial with applied gold indexes • Hands: Gold baton hands • Movement: Chopard Calibre 2512 RZ • Type: Manual-winding mechanical movement • Bracelet: Integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with satin finish • Clasp: Signed Chopard clasp • Diameter: 26 mm • Bracelet Length: Approximately 17 cm • Weight: 50.1 g Included • Chopard presentation box • Chopard travel pouch • Service documentation Condition Excellent overall condition. Particularly well preserved, with no visible oxidation or notable wear. Running perfectly following recent servicing. An elegant and increasingly uncommon Chopard jewelry...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Jaeger-LeCoultre Power Reserve 40h Cal. 481 Bumper Automatic 18K Rose Gold 1950s
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in PARIS, FR
Jaeger-LeCoultre Power Reserve "40h" Calibre 481 Bumper Automatic 18K Rose Gold, 1950s Elegant and highly collectible, this Jaeger-LeCoultre Power Reserve "40h" in 18K rose gold dat...
18k Gold
Longines Classic 18K Yellow Gold, Cal. 420 mechanical, Circa 1968
By Longines
Located in PARIS, FR
Longines Calibre 420 – 18K Yellow Gold – Circa 1968 Elegant vintage Longines wristwatch in 18K yellow gold, dating to the late 1960s and powered by the manufacture Calibre 420 manua...
18k Gold
Audemars Piguet Vintage Dress Watch – 18ct Gold – Manual Wind – Oval Case
By Audemars Piguet
Located in London, GB
Audemars Piguet Vintage Dress Watch – 18ct Gold – Manual Wind – Oval Case A recently serviced Audemars Piguet vintage dress watch, crafted in 18ct yellow gold and presented in superb...
Steel
Audemars Piguet 18Kt Solid Gold & Diamond Bezel Turler Ladies Watch circa 1970's
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Audemars Piguet STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 21mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manu...
18k Gold
Audemars Piguet Yellow Gold Ellipse Automatic Wrist Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980 Audemars Piguet "Ellipse" Wrist Watch, 33 x 31 M.M 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece Cushion case, Automatic, self winding movement, Gold Satin dial with Black Roman Numerals. New B...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Audemars Piguet Carnegie, REF. 14941
By Audemars Piguet
Located in New York, NY
Authenticity Guarantee, Audemars Piguet Carnegie classic ladies watch in 18K yellow gold, 16mm diamond bezel. Reference number: 14941. This watch has a folding butterfly clasp. Quart...
Diamond, 18k Gold
18 Kt Gold Audemars Piguet Cal K2070 Wrist Watch Collectors Automatic
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Audemars Piguet vintage 18 kt yellow gold collectors wrist watch with Audemars Extract from The Archives Movement: Automatic , Caliber K2070 with 18 Kt Gold Rotor, On Extract Calibe...
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Audemars Piguet Two-Tone Grey 'Hash' Dial Quartz 34mm
By Audemars Piguet
Located in New York, NY
A Different Side Of Audemars Piguet Before the Royal Oak became the brand's singular focus, Audemars Piguet was a master of the classic dress watch. This piece comes from a unique t...
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
The timepiece features a pink dial to celebrate the arrival of a baby girl
As the watch world celebrates one of fine timekeeping’s most disruptive designs, AP archivist Sébastian Vivas tells tales from the piece’s storied history.
