For the second year running, Audemars Piguet has won two awards at Geneva’s Watchmaking Grand Prix, held at the city’s Grand Théâtre on 13 November 2008. The Manufacture received awards in the categories of Jewellery Watch and Complete Calendar Watch for its diamond-set Millenary Pianoforte chronograph and Jules Audemars Equation of Time skeleton watch.

Geneva’s eighth Watchmaking Grand Prix was one of the city’s finest. The ceremony opened to the strains of tango music and continued apace, unveiling some of the most beautiful timepieces created by today’s master watchmakers and giving the 1,500 guests present a chance to marvel at some of the world’s most exclusive and diverse watches. 

Miss Suisse Romande 2008 and Georges-Henri Meylan, AP CEO

Although chiefly known for its sports chronographs, Audemars Piguet won an award this year in the less-familiar Jewellery Watch category, with the Millenary Pianoforte winning over the eminent members of the jury. With its white-gold case featuring 311 brilliant-cut diamonds and diamond-pavé dial, this outstanding watch inspires both  awe and reflection. The exclusive AP 3120 calibre selfwinding movement imparts a special cadence to this  timepiece. Georges-Henri Meylan, CEO of Audemars Piguet, is extremely proud of the watch’s success: “The  Millenary Pianoforte has a special place in our hearts because of its pedigree. It was initially designed in honour of Quincy Jones, and was due to carry his name. Today, I am happy to take this opportunity to announce that we have signed a partnership with this legendary musician and have donated a number of Millenary Pianoforte watches for auction, with the proceeds going to the Quincy Jones Foundation.”
 
The Manufacture received its other award for the Jules Audemars Equation of Time skeleton watch in the Complete Calendar category. This exclusive timepiece reflects the endless dance of the stars, featuring a range of functions: equation of time, sunrise and sunset times, and perpetual calendar with astronomic moon. These functions can be adjusted according to the reference city chosen by the wearer. Audemars Piguet’s master watchmakers have succeeded in creating an outstanding fully engraved, selfwinding skeleton timepiece that  perfectly captures the sun and moon’s celestial choreography. 

Giulio Papi

Giulio Papi, Audemars Piguet’s co-founder (Renaud & Papi — in which Audemars Piguet is the majority shareholder), was also voted the year’s top watchmaker and designer. According to Georges-Henri Meylan: “No one deserves this award more than Giulio. He is a pioneer in fine watchmaking. Over the past 22 years, he has succeeded in setting up a world-class Manufacture complete with state-of-the-art technology. Audemars Piguet (Renaud & Papi) has come to set the standard in complex movement. We extend our warmest congratulations to Giulio Papi.”

Diamond-set Millenary Pianoforte watch
Reference:
15326BC.ZZ.D600CR.01
Movement: Calibre 3120, selfwinding 
Case: 18-carat white gold entirely set with 311 brilliant-cut diamonds; sapphire case-back 
Dial: Two-zone dials in white mother-of-pearl with black piano motif minute circle; hour zone with diamond-pavé feature; wine-coloured centre seconds hand
Strap: Crocodile leather; AP folding clasp in 18-carat gold 
Functions: Hours and minutes; central seconds hand; date

Jules Audemars Equation of Time skeleton watch 
Reference: 
26053PT.OO.D002CR.01
Movement: Calibre 2120/2808 skeleton, selfwinding 
Case: 950 platinum; sapphire case-back; flange with equation of time graduations; solar culmination time adjusted to the reference city chosen by the client
Dial: Sapphire dial with printed counters 
Strap: Crocodile leather with 950 platinum AP folding clasp 
Functions: Hours and minutes; date, days, months and years; moon phases (astronomical); sunrise and sunset times; equation of time

Source: Audemars Piguet