We travel back to the origins of Audemars Piguet to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore

Last April we travelled to Switzerland, specifically to the Jura Valley (Vallée de Joux) located 50km from Geneva and home to the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet. The reason? To learn first-hand about the history of AP and to discover all the secrets of the production process of each of its iconic watches, especially the Royal Oak Offshore.

Staying at the exclusive Hôtel des Horlogers in Le Brassus, we were able to enjoy all the facilities and the wonderful views of the Swiss landscape. Situated in the middle of the valley, the building was designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingles Group) and executed by the Swiss studio CCHE, the same studio that also collaborated in the realisation of the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet. It has been conceived as the ultimate meeting point for all lovers of watchmaking, architecture and nature, making it the ideal location to understand the essence of the watchmaking house.

Once settled in, we had the opportunity to sample first-hand the exclusive tasting menu created by the hotel’s three-star Michelin-starred chef and brand ambassador, Emmanuel Renaut, who is in charge of the hotel’s catering. Le Gogant welcomed us amidst decorations inspired by La Vallée de Joux and views of the meadows.

The next day, first thing in the morning, we headed to the Musée Atelier, where Sébastian Vivas, Audemars Piguet’s Director of Heritage and Museum, was waiting for us. It was there that we discovered each and every one of the pieces that make up the history of Audemars Piguet, and where we were able to enjoy the history of the Royal Oak Offshore, a model that over the years has built up its image through countless collaborations with film, sport and music personalities that reaffirm the strength, versatility and power of the collection. First presented in 1993, this year it celebrates its 30th anniversary with four new Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs models, preserving the evolution in terms of movements, materials, finishes and dials.