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From 1875 until the late 20th century, Audemars Piguet operated as an établisseur, coordinating a vast watchmaking ecosystem that extended from the Vallée de Joux to other Swiss and international centres. Deeply rooted in the watchmaking culture of the Jura Arc in Switzerland, the term établissage is untranslatable. It describes a network of small, independent workshops working under the guidance of an établisseur to co-create unique timepieces or very small series. Each artisan specialised in a specific component, contributing to the production of watches born from collective precision.
The Atelier des Établisseurs
Welcome to the Atelier des Établisseurs, a creative workshop where ancestral savoir-faire meets contemporary innovation. Rooted in the historic tradition of établissage, this initiative brings together master artisans to craft one-of-a-kind, ultra-limited timepieces, designed and assembled with great artistic freedom.
In 2026, Audemars Piguet revives the tradition of établissage through the Atelier des Établisseurs, located within the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus. This creative hub fosters collaboration between the Manufacture’s artisans, specialists in rare crafts and a broad network of independent Swiss workshops.
A wide range of traditional crafts such as engraving, enamelling, skeletonisation, gem-setting and lapidary work converge with contemporary fields including design, engineering and advanced component development, each contributing their unique expertise to shape singular creations celebrating heritage and innovation.
THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN KNOW-HOWS AND ARTISTIC FREEDOM
The Établisseurs collection, which takes shape within the Atelier des Établisseurs, opens up new creative horizons in terms of design and function. These timepieces showcase the talent, expertise and creativity of the artisans who bring them to life. Each watch is unique and powered by modern calibres that have been specially adapted, hand-decorated, finished and assembled in the atelier.
Établisseurs Galets Mineral Harmony
The Établisseurs Galets timepiece pays tribute to the Vallée de Joux, birthplace of Audemars Piguet. This poetic timepiece results from the collaborative dialogue between a designer, jeweller, engraver and watchmaker. The natural shape and characteristics of the stones selected for the dial and bracelet links give each Galets piece its unique character, making each creation one of a kind.
Shaped by Nature
Evoking the shores of the Lac de Joux, each Établisseurs Galets timepiece draws its singularity from the shape and natural characteristics of the stones selected for its dial and bracelet.
The Craft of Stone Cutting
The artisan cuts each stone to shape one at a time—a delicate and crucial step.
The Precision of Hand Grinding
The stone is meticulously ground by hand to avoid breaking the mineral.
The Art of Polishing
Once the desired shape has been achieved, the stone is polished to bring out its natural brilliance.
The Essence of Gold Heating
Each gold bracelet link is heated to give it its own unique shape and silhouette.
Crafted and Assembled by Hand
The bracelet links are hollowed out to accommodate the stones, which are cut to their exact specifications. The links are then assembled using small gold spheres.
Établisseurs Peacock The Art of the Secret Watch
The Établisseurs Peacock timepiece pays homage to the tradition of secret watches, blending Haute Joaillerie, automaton artistry and mechanical ingenuity into a singular miniature world. It is the result of a collaborative endeavour between a designer, jeweller, enameller, engraver and watchmaker, who combined their expertise and artistic vision to bring this creation to life.
Reviving the Secret Watch
Designer at Audemars Piguet, Kenan Geraud has created this spectacular secret watch, reviving a 19th-century tradition.
Meticuloulsy Crafted Details
Finely chiselled, the wings and head of the peacock showcase the skill of the master engraver.
Peacock in Motion
Radiant with colour, the dial poetically unfolds to reveal a peacock's tail.
The Art of Enamelling
The dial is hand-engraved and covered with translucent enamel by Vanessa Lecci in an extremely delicate process.
Inspired by Feathers
Painstakingly crafted one by one, the bracelet links are inspired by the motifs that adorn peacock feathers.
Flexible Elegance
Connected by hidden gold wires, the links are hollowed out for a flexible, lightweight feel on the wrist.
Établisseurs Nomade A Multifunctional Horological Creation
The Établisseurs Nomade watch reimagines historical portable timepieces with a sculptural, multifunctional design that can be used as a pocket watch or table clock. The result of a collaborative dialogue between a designer, movement constructor, jeweller, lapidary and watchmaker, the watch showcases skeletonisation, hand bevelling and lapidary craftsmanship.
A Finely Engineered Case
The rectangular case of the Établisseurs Nomade was meticulously co-developed by the watch and case designers.
Sculpting the Dial’s Frame
Technology meets craftsmanship: the natural stone surrounding the dial is carefully cut into the desired shape.
Assembly: A Meticulous Art
Assembling the case requires painstaking work to handle its tiny components.
Precision Under the Lens
Under a binocular microscope, a tiny component reveals the level of precision required in watchmaking.
The Atelier des Établisseurs brings an old dream to life: designing, developing and finishing watches at the very heart of the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet. This ambitious project brings together the Manufacture’s artisans with a myriad of small independent workshops to create extraordinary timepieces, just as in the days of the établisseurs.
Sébastian Vivas
Museum and Heritage Director, Audemars Piguet
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Find a boutique
We invite you to visit our AP Houses and boutiques to explore a variety of Audemars Piguet timepieces and receive expert watch servicing from our skilled professionals, by appointment or walk-in.