Audemars Piguet Watches

What you need to know about Audemars Piguet watches

Why choose an Audemars Piguet watch?

All Audemars Piguet watches have been born from innovation, and as such, are some of the most instantly recognisable in circulation.

The watchmakers’ attention to detail was second to none, and their intricate quality control procedures ensured that Audemars Piguet watches were highly in demand in the decades that followed.

 

This dedication to excellence still shines through in the brand’s production methods today. When you choose to purchase an Audemars Piguet watch, you know you are investing in a premium quality piece with a unique personality.

 

Which Audemars Piguet to buy?

Audemars Piguet features only four collections on their website. Compared to the confusing range of luxury watches from some other manufacturers, this is a streamlined range of collections that is easy to understand:

• The Royal Oak collection holds a very special place in the history of the brand. Along its various offshoots a large, Royal Oak watches command a large proportion of the Audemars Piguet offering.
• The Royal Oak Offshore is the larger and more complicated sibling of the Royal Oak, perfect for larger wrists.
• Audemars Piguet Concept is where the brand is at its most experimental. If you want a high-tech watch or sci-fi look, you will find it under this label. 
• The newest collection, Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, has a round instead of an octagonal case. The aesthetic is a compelling mix of traditional and new. 

With such a high standard of mechanical quality and aesthetics, we don’t think any used Audemars Piguet will disappoint you. The only question left is, which one catches your eye? 

 

Pre-owned Audemars Piguet price guide

Pre-owned Audemars Piguet watches come in various ages, models, conditions, and levels of popularity, which makes it hard to give brief rules of thumb.

However, based on previous sales at Luxe, we can share the following data about some of the Cartier collections that you may wish to use as a guideline.

	Average	High	Low
Royal Oak	£37,001.21	£18,9995	£6,995
Offshore	£29,515.39	£9,6995	£9,495

 

Is a used Audemars Piguet a good investment?

We recently looked at the data to determine how watches compared to other investments historically, and we found Audemars watches’ growth to be second only to Patek Phillipe when it comes to luxury watch investments (they even beat out Rolex!). 

Remember, like any other luxury item, there is no guarantee that its price will increase in value over time — it depends on individual preferences and market conditions. That means to make money on your Audemars Piguet watch purchase you must wait patiently for a surge in the market before selling. 

 

Buying Audemars Piguet pre-owned – What should you know?

Because of their extreme exclusivity, there is usually a long waitlist for buying an Audemars Piguet new. This is part of what makes the second-hand market so appealing.

There are active and enthusiastic buyers and sellers of pre-owned watches in every AP collection. You can browse many of them available from Luxe above, where we follow the expected best practices so that we never disappoint a customer. 

Before committing to a purchase, there are a few things you will want to know. 

You can find the serial number of an Audemars Piguet watch on the back of the case (it is sometimes referred to as a case number). Don’t mistake it for the movement number, which is on the mainplate of the watch movement and visible if the watch has a transparent case back.

With the serial number, you can confirm an approximate date of manufacture

• A 1972 – 1975
• B 1976 – 1979
• C 1980 – 1986
• D 1987 – 1994
• E 1994 – 2000
• F 2001 – 2007
• G 2008 – 2010
• H 2011 – 2012
• I 2013 – 2015
• J 2016 – 2018
• K 2019 – present

Note that for watches made before 1972, there is a different system.

There are two documents that can be ordered from AP and give more information about the watch as well as help to demonstrate authenticity:

• Extract from the archives
• Certificate of authentication

You can get an initial impression of the authenticity of an Audemars watch by examining it yourself. Look at the back of the case and write down the serial number. Check it against the standard format for serial numbers. Look for an “Audemars Piguet” engraving, also on the back of the case. Also, does the overall quality feel similar to other Audemars Watches you have handled?

However, to know for sure, you should always buy your watches from a trusted dealer with the relevant expertise. At Luxe, we sell Audemars watch with original paperwork and box if possible.

Luxe Watches has been in business since 2011 and has a reputation for excellent service in this industry. 

 

Buying via Luxe Watches

At Luxe Watches, we have the expertise and technical experience to be able to guarantee the authenticity of Audemars Piguet watches, as well as sell, source and service them. 

All of the used and pre-owned Audemars Piguet watches available from Luxe Watches will arrive complete with their original boxes and paperwork to prove their authenticity.

We send watches via secure delivery to be received within seven days of payment. 

If you expect your watch to need strap length adjustment to fit your wrist, send us a message and we will make the adjustments.

We offer 0% Audemars Piguet finance, which enables more people than ever to own a luxury timepiece. 

We have a reputation for excellent customer service and are very happy to talk through any questions or issues you have. Just give us a call or visit us in our store in Epping, just outside of London. Have any other questions? Check our FAQ here.

 

Selling an AP Watch

Remember that you can sell your AP watch for more if you have the official papers and box and/or receipt.

Next, your watch will need to be appraised to assess its condition. You can send it to us by post or visit our store in person. A final valuation will be given, and an offer will be made for your watch. If you decide to go ahead with the sale, will send you the payment via bank transfer to be received in 3-5 days. 

Choose a reputable fine watch expert to sell to, check their reviews online, and talk to them in person so that you can feel comfortable that the sale will go through smoothly and professionally. 

Sell your Audemars Piguet watch with Luxe.

 

Caring for a Audemars Piguet

Taking care of your new AP watch will ensure its longevity, preserve its beauty and help retain its value. Below are some tips.

It’s important to have your Audemars Piguet watch serviced regularly by an authorized service centre or watchmaker. The recommended interval is usually around 3 to 5 years. During servicing, the watch will be cleaned, lubricated, and checked for any potential issues. This helps maintain its accuracy and ensures the smooth operation of the movement. Find out more about Audemars Piguet luxury watch servicing. 

Understand your specific watch’s water resistance rating. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and avoid exposing the watch to water if it’s not designed for water activities.

If you have a mechanical Audemars Piguet watch, it’s best to wind the watch at the same time every day to keep it running smoothly. Be gentle while winding and setting the time. Avoid excessive force, especially when the crown is fully wound or pulled out.

Keep the watch away from magnetic fields as they can interfere with the movement, and from extreme temperatures. Consider using a watch box when storing the watch to protect it from dust and potential damage. If your watch has a leather or rubber strap, avoid prolonged exposure to water or excessive moisture, as they can cause damage or discolouration.

When cleaning, avoid using harsh chemicals, solvents, or abrasive materials that can damage the case, bracelet, or crystal. Clean leather straps with a slightly damp cloth and use leather conditioner occasionally to keep them supple. For metal bracelets, you can use a non-abrasive metal polish to restore their shine. 

Purchase the Luxe Watches premium watch cleaning kit for exceptional and safe cleaning.

 

About AP Complications

Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin are sometimes considered the Swiss trinity of quality watchmakers. All three make top-tier complications, with Patek and Audemars usually considered the gold and silver medalists when it comes to horological excellence.

The mechanisms available differ by collection. Royal Oak Offshore watches were conceived of as functional divers watches, so feature a unidirectional rotating bezel, ensuring precise timing underwater. On the other hand, the Royal Oak Concept is where Audemars experiments with new ideas, like a minute repeater in a skeletonized case. 

At the cutting edge, we have the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, a new collection that started in 2019, and in which we find the Universelle Ultra-Complication. With a total of 23 complications and 40 functions, this “grande complication” competes with the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime and the Vacheron Constantin Celestia for the most complicated wristwatch today. 

 

Audemars Piguet history

As a fiercely independent brand with a rich history, Audemars Piguet delivers some of the most creative watch designs on the market. 

The company was founded in 1875 by two friends, Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet, who worked together to assemble and regulate highly accurate horological movements from their workshop in the Vallée de Joux.

 

More information

Mind-Blowing Facts About The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Review of the Royal Oak Rose Gold Sanskrit dial

A Colourful Collaboration for Bucci and Audemars Piguet

 

Buy online or visit our showroom

Whether you are looking to buy an Audemars Piguet of your own, sell a pre-loved Audemars Piguet, or are looking for refurbishment and repair, Luxe Watches are the friendly luxury watches experts that can help with your query. We’re happy to talk on the phone, over email, or in person at our UK luxury watch showroom in Epping, near London. 

Browse our range or contact us today.