Audemars Piguet Holding SA was founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux. The name Audemars Piguet & Cie was acquired in 1881, and today the company is based in Le Brassus, Switzerland and still owned by the family. Before being known as the company that makes the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet created the first minute-repeating movement in 1892, and developing the first skeleton watch in 1934.
Custom Ferrari Timepieces
Scuderia Ferrari founder and boss Enzo Ferrari was known to have commissioned small batches of Ferrari-branded watches to give to friends, drivers, and valued collaborators during the 1950s. Primarily sourced through a Bolognese jeweler named Gerardo Veronesi, the early Ferrari timepieces included a variety of brands like Zenith, Vetta, Super Royal, and Longines.
One such example also included an Audemars Piguet watch that was gifted to Luigi Villoresi to celebrate his win at the 1952 Daily Mail Trophy, a non-championship Formula 1 race. It was sold at a June 2025 Christie’s auction.
US Grand Prix Royal Oak Prototype
An Antiquorum Auction listing from 2010 featured the Audemars Piguet US Grand Prix Royal Oak Prototype. According to the description, a total of three pieces were made, with one going to the winner of the 2000 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 18k yellow gold Royal Oak features the Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo on the dial, underneath the AP logo which sits at the 12 o’clock position.
The following text was also included:
In 2000, Audemars Piguet and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway owners developed a common project to design Royal Oak’s to give to the winner of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Three prototypes were eventually made (including the current one) featuring the famous logo on the dial. Michael Schumacher won the race that year and was unable to accept the timepiece as he was already under contract with another Swiss watch manufacturer. The collaboration was never completed and it is therefore a unique opportunity to acquire this rare Royal Oak.
Royal Oak “Campioni del Mondo”
One example of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (ref. 15189ST) was made for former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt. The caseback is engraved with “Buon Compleanno Siamo Campioni del Mondo! Con Affetto Jean Todt 31.08.04”, which translates to Happy Birthday We are World Champions, With Love Jean Todt.
Formula 1 Driver Edition Royal Oak Offshore Models
Audemars Piguet has worked with a number of Formula 1 drivers from the mid-2000s to early 2010s, along with the release of coinciding Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph driver editions. The list included Juan Pablo Montoya, Rubens Barrichello, Jarno Trulli, Sebastien Buemi, and Michael Schumacher.
Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher
2015 saw the unexpected release of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher, which featured the first mechanical chronograph with alternating consecutive lap timing and flyback functionality. Schumacher is credited with inspiring the movement.
Inaugural Singapore Grand Prix
In addition to driver editions, Audemars Piguet has also released the Royal Oak Offshore Singapore Grand Prix Chronograph (ref. 26190OS.OO.D003CU.01) in 2008 to commemorate the first Formula 1 race in Singapore. 250 pieces were made.
Grand Prix Collection
Despite having no official connection to F1, the 2010 release of the Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix collection may be worth a mention. The selection involved titanium, 18k pink gold, or platinum which came in a limited edition of 1750, 650, and 75 pieces, respectively.
Related Pages
References
https://watchlibrary.org/en/details/PBR_CH080222_72
https://www.chrono24.com/magazine/formula-1-watches-p_23897/
https://www.fratellowatches.com/audemars-piguets-tribute-to-formula-1-driver-michael-schumacher/
https://wristcheck.com/discover/icons/the-most-important-audemars-piguet-watches-ever-created-part-ii
https://quillandpad.com/2023/09/04/30th-anniversary-of-the-audemars-piguet-royal-oak-offshore-roo-f1s-high-octane-fairy-tales-of-super-star-racing-drivers/
https://luxatic.com/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-offshore-sebastien-buemi/
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-offshore-rubens-barrichello-ii-watch-available-on-james-list/
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-offshore-juan-pablo-montoya-watch-available-on-james-list/
https://hauteliving.com/2010/10/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-offshore-jarno-trulli-chronograph/100857/
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-offshore-grand-prix-watches/