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The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak anniversary party drew many revelers.

Written by: Katie Garren

In an opulent party aimed at celebrating 40 years of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak model, focus was placed on the inspiration behind the brand’s long tradition of exellence.

On January 17, many gathered in the Vallée de Joux in Switzerland, the birthplace of Audemars Piguet. The evening consisted of three sections: a cocktail reception, an opulent dinner and several live performances.  The theme of the cocktail reception was “autumn where inspiration stemmed from nature,” the company said in a press release.  The dinner was inspired by the hard winter experienced by the “watch-farmers [who] used to spend time in their homes perfecting the art of watchmaking.” The dinner was prepared by Swiss chef Philippe Rochat and attended by the brand’s ambassadors, such as Formula 1 driver Micheal Shumacher.

Inculded in the performances was portrait artist Franck Bouroullec, who painted the founders of Audemars Piguet, upside-down, in front of the party goers.  Later, Phillipe Merk, CEO of Audemars Piguet, and Jasmine Audemars, President of the Board of Directors, gave a speech “thanking everyone for supporting the brand throughout the years and paid tribute to the late Gérald Genta. They also talked about the upcoming Royal Oak worldwide exhibitions before they raised their glasses and sang Happy 40th Birthday to the iconic Royal Oak.” Birthday cake was then presented to the revelers.

The party came to a close with a performance by Bastian Baker, an up-and-coming Swiss musician.  He was joined on stage by former director of the Montreux Jazz Festival, Claude Nobs, on harmonica.

In congruence with the party, Audemars Piguet released a limited edition version of the Royal Oak.  The watch has a platinum finish and “the wristwear is water resistent up the 50 meters and also highlights glare-proof sapphire crystals on the front and rear.” Only 40 watches were made, in honor of it being the watch’s 40 year anniversary.

Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet.  According to the company’s website, the comapany “is still the oldest fine watch-making manufacturer never to have left the hands of its founding families. This gives the company an independent streak that allows it to go its own way and follow its own unique vision.”  In 1992, the company formed the Audemars Piguet Foundation, which was aimed at conserving the world’s forests and protecting the environment.  The foundation has worked in 30 countries around the world.