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Pages 34-35, Restoration Atelier located at the top of the Founders’ House Page 37, visitors can experience their expertise first-hand. In our increasingly digital world, craftsmen perpetuate a tradition that
where Audemars Piguet debuted in 1875. The spiral designed by BIG is Pages 38-39, in the center of the spiral, striking, astronomical and chrono-
perfectly integrated within the surrounding landscape. ©Courtesy of graph watches orbit the Universelle (1899), the most complex watch ever
Audemars Piguet produced by Audemars Piguet. ©Courtesy of Audemars Piguet started when art and crafts were one and the same. Watchmaking carries
on a living culture.

The Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet links the company’s Found- From a broader perspective, the role of our museum is to pro-
ers’ House, where Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste mote the watchmaking culture, tell its history, display its masterpiec-
Piguet, set their workshop in 1875, to a contemporary glass spiral es, and participate in its future. We are the oldest manufacture still
designed by BIG. The Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet showcases owned by the founding families. Thanks to this independence, we
the history of the company and the achievements of a fascinating are free to forge our own path, and we have chosen to pursue a long-
craft, shining a spotlight on the artisanal work that has been car- term vision. We pass on traditional craftsmanship to the next genera-
ried out for over a century at the heart of the Swiss Jura. Sébastian tions, while constantly reinventing ourselves and making uncompro-
Vivas, Heritage and Museum Director at Audemars Piguet will mising choices. Our aim is not only to create timepieces, but to foster
take you through the project. the numerous talents in the company. Our strength is our people.

What does it mean to create a temple of artisanal A Grande Complication spends up to 8 months in the
craftsmanship nowadays? hands of a single watchmaker before leaving the work-
I like the term “temple of artisanal craftsmanship”. Our shop: the time necessary, like the time required to com-
Musée Atelier is definitely celebrating craftsmanship. In our in- plete a yacht, to satisfy high expectations and to create a
creasingly digital world, craftsmen perpetuate a tradition that high-end product.
started when art and crafts were one and the same. Watchmak- When they look at watch, very few people can imagine how
ing carries on a living culture. Therefore, we have included three delicate and complex its fabrication can be, nor the numbers of tal-
workshops within the visitor’s journey, alongside masterpieces ented specialists who worked patiently to achieve it. Who knows
made by their predecessors. that the Royal Oak 15500 components are created, transformed,
On the other hand, our museum also connects tradition with adjusted, and assembled by 400 people before the watch leaves
future. The creation of the spiral would have been impossible Le Brassus?
without powerful computers. Today, even in the field of watch- A Grande Complication is the ultimate expression of this
making, new ideas are often developed with the help of technol- complexity. When our visitors meet with a watchmaker who has
ogy. Exhibited in the complication section, the Royal Oak Con- spent 8 months on a single Grande Complication, they start to un-
cept RD#2 is the perfect example of these bridges between past derstand that the value of the timepiece is rooted in talent, crafts-
and future. manship and passion!
The Musée Atelier opens a dialogue between Audemars
Piguet’s oldest building and a futuristic spiral-shaped glass pa- Time also means perfect balance. And, just like a watch,
vilion, which faces the timeless landscape of the Vallée de Joux. this museum project has different components and involves
different entities: BIG, ATELIER BRÜCKNER, and CCHE.
How does the public respond to the discoveries it offers? How did you collaborate on this pursuit of perfection?
Visitors are amazed by the experience offered by the Musée The development of this project has been a real adventure,
Atelier. Of course, the sanitary crisis has temporarily reduced the punctuated by countless challenges. The Danish architect BIG
number of people visiting the workshops, but thanks to the fact and German museum designer ATELIER BRÜCKNER have cre-
that those are surrounded by glass walls, it enables visitors to see ated an amazing design, but when they presented the idea, no
our watchmakers at work. It is important to mention that a guide one knew if it was possible or not to realize the project.
is always part of each visit. In the Craft section, they are invited to Dozens of companies, hundreds of people were needed to Which is your favorite “corner” of the museum? Your Last but not least: how much time is needed to visit
step into the shoes of the watchmakers. And they love it! make the dream come true. The Swiss architecture office CCHE favorite object? How does it make you feel? the museum?
coordinated the building construction, working with the best en- Actually, every section and every watch are part of the com- If you ask me, I would say that you need minimum one week!
A temple of Swiss watchmaking set in at the heart of gineers, glassmakers, heating specialists, etc. We often asked the plete narrative of the experience. Choosing one is a little like read- Actually, I will never tire of enjoying and sharing the beauty of the
the Swiss Jura. What kind of message does a company people involved step outside their comfort zone in order to find ing only one chapter in a novel, or one word in a chapter… Musée Atelier and its rich and unique collection. Seriously though,
convey by presenting its work in this way? innovative solutions. I would say the most exciting and enriching part is the one the guided tours last about 2 hours, which enables times for visitors to
Our Musée Atelier has been developed to share the best of With the trust and support of our Direction, our internal ar- we call Designing Time. We tell the parallel of 145-year history of appreciate the complete and immersive experience within Audemars
Audemars Piguet’s culture, which includes history, design, collec- chitect Stéphane Jacquiéry and I had the privilege (as well as the Audemars Piguet and the world, building links between the Vallée Piguet’s universe. We hope to see you all very soon in Le Brassus!
tions, family spirit, design, technique, innovation, complications, responsibility) of managing this incredible project. We have been de Joux, a remote region of Switzerland where our craftspeople
etc… The human dimension is the absolute key to success. We impressed by the capacity of all the people, coming from various have created extraordinary timepieces, and the great cities where
want everyone to enjoy it: the watchmakers, collectors, architec- horizons, to work together and look for meaningful solutions. they met their public: passionate collectors, aristocrats, models, and It is advisable to plan your visit in advance (at the moment only two time slots are
available every afternoon, Monday through Friday). Tickets are available on the
ture lovers, no matter their origin, age or specific interest. The secret? I think that we were all driven by the same dream. even presidents… Musée Atelier website (www.museeatelier-audemarspiguet.com).

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