Haute News: Audemars Piguet Wins The Prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix At The 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

François-Henry Bennahmias, Audemars Piguet’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed his gratitude to the individuals whose unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit have propelled watchmaking to new heights. With nearly three decades in the watchmaking industry, Bennahmias dedicated this remarkable achievement to the Audemars Piguet teams, his successor Ilaria, Jasmine Audemars, and the founding families who have been instrumental in the brand’s journey.

The “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, honoring the most exceptional timepiece across all categories, was presented to François-Henry Bennahmias for the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultra-Complication Universelle. As Audemars Piguet’s inaugural ultra-complicated self-winding wristwatch, housed within the contemporary and innovative design of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection, this timepiece has been recognized in its own echelon.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

RD#4 pays homage to the brand’s heritage of high complications while prioritizing ergonomic design and modern usability, ensuring unparalleled comfort and ease of use. This groundbreaking creation integrates Audemars Piguet’s horological expertise into a single movement, the self-winding Calibre 1000, comprising over 1,100 components. This engineering marvel boasts an astounding 40 functions, including 23 complications, featuring a Grande Sonnerie Supersonnerie, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-seconds flyback chronograph, and a flying tourbillon.

Challenging conventional watchmaking norms, Audemars Piguet’s dedicated teams blurred the lines between movement and case by developing user-friendly ergonomic correctors and crown-pushers, simplifying the activation of the watch’s multifaceted functions. Leveraging the brand’s three recent R&D innovations, including the Supersonnerie technology, ultra-thin perpetual calendar movement, and an oscillator with increased amplitude, this RD#4 timepiece stands as a pinnacle of craftsmanship.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

For over seven years, a collective effort of engineers, designers, watchmakers, and craftspeople collaborated relentlessly to bring the RD#4 timepiece to life. Their dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence have pushed the boundaries of Haute Horlogerie craftsmanship to remarkable new heights, solidifying Audemars Piguet’s reputation as a trailblazer in the world of watchmaking.