In early June, Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet celebrated the reopening of its Geneva flagship store after several months of renovation. The Geneva boutique being the largest in the world, CEO François-Henry Bennahmias was joined on this auspicious occasion by the entire Board of Directors, naturally including its President, Jasmine Audemars and Vice-President, Olivier Audemars. The festivities were enlivened by an acoustic performance from the talented and charismatic recording artist Patrick Bruel.
The French singer and friend of the brand, who had paid a visit to the Manufacture in Le Brassus earlier that day, expressed his delight in sharing this experience with the Audemars Piguet team. “Meeting the watchmakers was extraordinary. They adore their work and are passionate about their profession. You have to go and see them in the Manufacture to realise that fully!”
In the wake of this red carpet reopening ceremony, Country General Manager Audemars Piguet Switzerland David Pantillon associated WorldTempus and GMT magazine in a second special preview by inviting their readers from the Lake Geneva region. They too had a chance to discover the new design of the Geneva boutique, inspired by the surroundings of the Manufacture in Le Brassus, at the very heart of Swiss nature. The elegant, warm and original decor gives pride of place to wood and metal. The boutique windows are a reminder of the breath of fresh air one senses in the region that is home to the company headquarters, thereby whisking Audemars Piguet clients away to the pure and natural world of the Vallée de Joux.
Audemars Piguet ambassador Claudio Cavaliere, who presented the new boutique and its staff to guests, naturally also spoke about watchmaking, since the evening was also an opportunity for Audemars Piguet to highlight its exclusive new boutique-only line: the Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph. This collection comes in four funky colours that are just perfect for summer: yellow, green, blue and orange. The tangy green version has indeed already found favour with Swiss professional tennis player Stan Wawrinka, who is never parted from it, even on court. Driven by a mechanical self-winding movement, this model featuring a 50-hour power reserve is fitted with a rubber strap that is pleasant to wear year round and especially so in summer.
