Audemars Piguet

Last week, as part of the events of the 2nd Haute Horlogerie Salon in Mexico City, Audemars Piguet gave us the inmense pleasure of meeting and greeting both Giulio Papi and Octavio Garcia, whom cordially greeted everybody who approached them and even held a press conference to explain the philosophy behind their work at AP and Renaud & Papi.

I walked into their booth not really aware of what I was about to encounter.

Not only did a wide variety of models were available for viewing (the Royal Oak Carbon Concept being one of them), but also the willingness of everybody to guide you through the collections was overwhelming. And for that cherry on the cake, Mr. Guilio Papi was there on scene to answer your questions and take you on the magnificent journey through avant garde materials and innovative horlogerie, including bits of superb information about any particular watch, including the reason behind the anodized aluminium coated green base plate. It needed that coating because aluminium, over time, tends to emit a certain gas, and thus looses stifness and rigidity. Up to 20% over a 10 year period. The color green was chosen, for no other reason other that the fact that it is the corporate color.

Octavio Garcia was also in hand to talk about the logic behind his designs. He told us that the trend is to follow form and function with noble materials.

In the end, both Giulio and Octavio agreed that the future and the limit in terms of engineering and design is gravity itself. Meaning? That they will continue to release newer materials, tricked out tourbillons, revolutionary escapements all in hopes of defeating gravity and the same thing these beating instruments are meant to tell...time itself.

SURVIVOR UPDATE

I managed to get a scoop on the upcoming Survivor watch to be released through AP's website sometime in November.

I was told: "Military inspired, stealthy, incorporating ceramic in a never before seen way". In short, it will be massive, ground breaking, and super cool!

My most sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the AP team at the show, including Mr. Papi, Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Hugo Escude part of AP Latin America. They where very kind, helpful, and pacient.

 

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this small review.

Best regards,

Alex

That's a very nice idea to go all around the world, to share these beauties!

So, what do you think about the RO black Concept???

Does it really sing to your ears?

Best, and first of all, thanks for sharing, Alex!

Caramba! LOL

Nicolas

 

Nicolas,

This was the second year this exhibit was organized in which around 30 brands displayed their novelties. It's very nice to know that these brands are setting Mexico as an important venue for selling their products, and it is safe to say that it is the one event I look forward to with great expectations as if it were the World Cup final.

Now, as for the Carbon Concept, it is very nice, extremely light, but somehow it just doesn't work out as well, at least on my wrist. It fits perfectly, but I think it overshadows me. Now, don't get me wrong, I think its a superb and brilliant timekeeping device, but the one watch from AP that I really fell in love with was the Jules Audemars 30th Anniversary Perpetual Calendar in platinum (also pictured in my original post). It just radiates class and elegance and a sense of security and understatement that puts it in a class by itself. Sheer romanticism...(I'm feeling philosophical and inspired this afternoon as you may have noticed, LOL).

Thanks for reading.

All the best,

Alex

 

. . . but I rather like carbon fiber AP on your wrist. I don't really comprehend the aesthetics of most Gerald Genta designs, including the Royal Oak, but this particular iteration seem more coherent to my eyes than all the others I've seen . . . I rather like the extension of the sectioned bezel carrying over to the outlines of the case. This is one AP I'd like to try on myself . . . cordially, Art

This message has been edited by Dr No on 2008-10-03 00:06:53

It will bring a nice punch to your very elegant and ¨noblesque¨ collection.

Your observation is quite keen, as in this design everything has a reason of being, whereas in some other watches it´s just carbon fiber for the sake of using carbon fiber.

Ohh, and speaking of aesthetical values, I got a chance to see the GO Senato Meissen......speechless! It was one of my top 5 of the show!

All the best,

Alex

of them aswell and they are very kind which is why I love AP more.

S

Their generosity is overwhelming.

If I could only buy as many watches in order to express my gratitude!

Thank you for your kind words.

Alex

This message has been edited by AlexSunrise on 2008-10-02 16:59:48

Alex,

Thanks for the update and also the tidbit about the Survivor.

Don't forget to check ThePuristS AP forum for more chatter about the Survivor.

 

Regards,

MTF

The Carbon Concept didn't look too bad on you and I think you carried it off quite well.Like you I also fell for the Pt. PC when I saw it during a presentaion in HK. Very classy and refined.

Cheers

Fernando

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