New Audemars Piguet Museum

Designed by the Danish BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) architectural practice the building with a floor space of 2,800 m² will take the shape of a spiral emerging from the ground merging harmoniously with the original Audemars family house. Resting entirely on walls of curved glass it will be inaugurated in the spring of 2019.

The future «Maison des fondateurs» will blend perfectly into the Vallée de Joux. The museum’s historic building, which dates back to 1868, will be retained, enhanced and linked to a radically contemporary, half-buried structure.

Two years of studies and preliminary work were necessary for this extremely complex design. The basis of the visit will be an introductory route following a spiral path. Visitors will cross several themed spaces where they will discover the origins of watch-making in the Vallée de Joux, the mechanical principles of the timepieces and an exceptional collection of world premier enamel complication watches. A number of exceptional watches will be on display, many of which will illustrate the story of design and including, of course, the iconic Royal Oak.

Exhibition rooms will alternate with watch-making workshops, relaxation spaces, sound and cinema laboratories and contemporary art, making the «Maison des fondateurs» first and foremost a place for meeting, experiencing and sharing. There will also be reception and meeting spaces and an area devoted to the professional preservation of the archives and the Audemars Piguet Foundation.

October 28, 2016