Giulio Papi - Master of Challenge

on June 21, 2011

1 minute read

According to Giulio Papi, the tendency is going toward calibers with traditional savoir faire and technical purpose as well as contemporary aesthetics.

WORLDTEMPUS – 21 June 2011

Louis Nardin

Giulio Papi quickly goes through the projects that he has received by singling out one criterion: is it a true challenge to realize? Co-founder of APRP, one of the companies designing some of the most significant calibers on the market, it is Papi and his team who have realized all the complicated calibers for Richard Mille and have participated in many projects for other brands – such as A. Lange & Söhne's Tourbograph, for example. Worldtempus visited Papi at home, with his family, when Veloptuous Times arrived in La Chaux-de-Fonds. A big fan of barbeque, Papi cooked in advance, and all was set to test his passionate (edible) talents.

Worldtempus: Have market demands recently changed?
Giulio Papi: The very “baroque” achievements with much decoration comprising a great deal of curves and spirals are less and less in demand – things like an accumulation of several large complications in one caliber such as a chronograph tourbillon minute repeater. The tendency is going toward really horological motors, meaning calibers with a high level of technology, but designed so as to have a really contemporary style and generally totally visible – like the Cabinet No. 5 by Audemars Piguet, for example.

What is your work philosophy?
I always search for the simplest solutions and ones that include components that are easy to machine and to assemble. The competition is intense between movement designers; one needs to always watch out for the competition in advance. Finally, it is most important that I continue to have fun, otherwise it is better to stop.

What is your next personal challenge?
To conceive a barbeque grill that is easily cleaned because the result [of the food] depends on its cleanliness. I am totally serious and I already have an idea that I may be able to realize soon. Otherwise, extra-flat calibers have recently seen very few innovations. This represents a true challenge, and I would love to be able to conceive one with the height of a credit card.