The exhibition invites guests to explore a curated selection of historical, vintage, and contemporary watches that exemplify the Manufacture’s pioneering spirit in both technical mastery and design innovation.
WATCHES & STYLE
Luxury Watches in Singapore: Audemars Piguet Celebrates 150 Years of Miniaturisation
by Portfolio Magazine
23 Dec 2025
23 Dec 2025
Audemars Piguet marks its 150th anniversary with “150 Years of Refined Elegance”, an exhibition at AP House Singapore showcasing the Manufacture’s iconic miniaturised timepieces and the evolution of its legendary women’s watches.
Audemars Piguet marks a milestone year with “150 Years of Refined Elegance”, an exhibition at AP House Singapore, which showcases miniaturisation – one of the Manufacture’s most cherished horological pursuits. The display highlights some of the smallest and most intricate timepieces ever created, while tracing the stylistic evolution of Audemars Piguet’s iconic feminine designs under the visionary direction of legendary designer Jacqueline Dimier.
- A LEGACY OF PRECISION
- JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN ERAS
A Legacy of Precision
From the transition of watches from pocket to wrist, the quest for smaller, thinner, and more complex movements has driven watchmakers to the limits of precision. Audemars Piguet has long been at the forefront of this challenge, creating calibres that continue to inspire.
Among them are an 18 mm movement chiming the time on demand, a 15 mm opus from 1921, the baton-shaped Calibre 5/7 SB (1927), and the ultra-thin Calibre 17SVF#5, measuring just 1.32 mm thick. These remarkable feats form the backbone of the Manufacture’s ongoing narrative of innovation and cultural influence.
(Related: Audemars Piguet pushes chronograph innovation further with the Royal Oak RD#5)
- A LEGACY OF PRECISION
- JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN ERAS
Journey Through Design Eras
The exhibition unfolds across key periods of design evolution. Art Deco elegance of the 1920s and 1930s saw geometric forms, elongated numerals, and vibrant contrasts redefine feminine wristwatches. The mid-century “Golden Age” of the 1950s and 1960s introduced modern elegance, with braided gold bracelets, ornamental stone dials, and organic shapes that reflected the era’s cultural transformation.
Visitors can also explore the evolution of the popular Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections. Following the Royal Oak’s groundbreaking launch in 1972, Jacqueline Dimier developed a 29 mm version for women, later inspiring the Royal Oak Mini and the 23 mm models equipped with the advanced Calibre 2730. The Offshore line, introduced in 1993, further expanded the possibilities for women’s sport-luxury watches, cementing Audemars Piguet’s reputation for innovation in miniaturisation.
The 1990s and 2000s marked a period of creative freedom, with haute joaillerie pieces inspired by whimsical motifs such as teddy bears, mermaids, and hearts. These imaginative designs coincided with the rise of luxury fashion culture and led to the first dedicated women’s collections.
In the 21st century, Audemars Piguet continues to push the boundaries of haute horlogerie. From producing the world’s smallest tourbillon in 1986 to engineering extra-small minute repeaters and ultra-thin tourbillons, the Manufacture demonstrates that miniaturisation remains a cornerstone of its craft. Recent highlights include three new 38 mm Perpetual Calendar references – Code 11.59 and Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar models – powered by the advanced Calibre 7136, blending elegant proportions with technical sophistication.
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