Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe are two of the most remarkable luxury brands to go for.
In 2022, a survey found that 10% of the people in the US consider Patek Philippe as their most loved brand and it’s the 3rd most luxury brand in the world. [Source: Statista]
Audemars Piguet, on the other hand, is 7th in ranking in the world and it’s also one of the most recognized brands. [Source: PrestidgeTime]
Both Patek and Piguet come with a strong prestige and history and these are the reasons that took the companies to the peak.
So, Audemars Piguet vs Patek Philippe which one should you invest in? Let’s find out!
Audemars Piguet vs Patek Philippe: Brand Heritage
Audemars Piguet
[Source: The 1916 Company]
Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875. Since it was established, Audemars Piguet started with complicated movements for different watchmaking brands.
However, soon, the company started to work on full watches with the help of local expert artisans.
The brand was very renowned for its overall complications in watches. Almost 80% of their initial watches were packed with high complications like chiming and chronograph functions.
Milestones
Audemars Piguet's most remarkable innovation was bringing in the Royal Oak in 1972 designed by Gérald Genta.
Its octagonal bezel and integral bracelet made this watch a complete icon and became the first luxury sporty watch.
Other productions that hyped this brand outstanding were that of the first minute-repeating wristwatch and the first skeleton watch.
Heritage and Reputation
Family-run and independent, Audemars Piguet does not bend to mass production. Rather, the brand has put more focus on quality and innovation.
It is this commitment of the brand to traditional watchmaking synced with an openness to modern design that has kept it one of the leaders in the watch industry.
Noted for its excellent watchmaking skills, Audemars Piguet keeps innovating but respects the art and remains a leader in horology.
Patek Philippe
Source: [Luxe Watches]
Patek Philippe was established in 1839 by Antoni Patek and his assistant Franciszek Czapek. Later, Adrien Philippe came on board in 1845 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Soon, the brand made a name for itself with high-quality timepieces that were of the best innovations.
Due to their remarkable crafted watches, Patek Philippe soon became a dream watch for many collectors.
Historical Inventions
Patek Philippe has been at the forefront of several horological innovations, including that of the perpetual calendar, which accounted for a leap year and also indicated precisely:
- Date
- Day
- Month
- Moon phase
Tradition and Position
To date, it is quality and innovation that have made Patek Philippe a luxury watch manufacturer.
The brand only makes a certain number of watches each year, making them very exclusive and always creating hype among watch collectors.
Due to this high demand, Patek Philippe watches mostly appreciate value, making it an ideal investment option for many.
Audemars Piguet vs Patek Philippe: Design and Aesthetics
Audemars Piguet
Source: [greatlakeswatch.com]
Iconic Designs
The Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta in 1972, is likely the sub-classic example of the Swiss brand Audemars Piguet.
The watch has captured the very market for luxurious sports watches industrially, using:
- An unusual octagonal shape
- Screws that are seen
- Integrated bracelet
Its success allowed Audemars Piguet to gain popularity, especially at a time when such traditional watchmakers were hardly successful.
The Royal Oak was eventually transformed into the bigger, more robust Royal Oak Offshore in 1993.
Source: [oracleoftime.com]
The current material work on these versions includes ceramics and carbon, but the design remains classic.
Craftsmanship
Only the best materials available are used, which also may include precious metals and advanced alloys.
The best example would be the "Tapisserie" dial on the Royal Oak, made through a "guilloché copying machine."
Modern vs. Classic Aesthetics
Audemars Piguet resembles both modern and classic designs. The Royal Oak represents a modern design, whereas Jules Audemars and Millenary are more inclined to a classic design.
Millenary was introduced in the market in 1995. It has oval cases and curved sapphire crystal, which makes a further innovative design for these timepieces.
Patek Philippe
Signature Styles
Notable among the designs of Patek Philippe are the Calatrava and Nautilus. The classic Calatrava is a creation dating back to 1932; it is a simple and elegant-looking dress watch.
The Nautilus, since 1976, is Patek Philippe's luxury sports watch and is fitted with an exclusive, integrated bracelet by Gérald Genta.
Elegance and Refinement
Patek Philippe focused on remaining classic, making clean and detailed shapes the center of attention with their watches.
The brand also doesn't hold back from trying some of the higher complications in modern materials and techniques, such as sapphire crystal for cases.
Bespoke and Customization
Patek Philippe has a customization option whereby they offer unique timepieces for their clients with customized dials, engravings, and even special movements. This is for those collectors who seek a taste of their personality on their watches.
Check Out This Video And See How Both These Brands Differ:
Patek Philippe vs Audemars Piguet - Which One Is Better ??
Audemars Piguet vs Patek Philippe: Technical Mastery and Complications
Audemars Piguet
Manufactured Movements
Audemars Piguet manufactures their watches in-house and this is also one of the reasons that this brand is so expensive.
For instance, the Caliber 2120, which, at a time, was considered the world's thinnest automatic movement with a central rotor.
Source: [watchbase.com]
They also developed the caliber 3120, a self-winding movement used in the Royal Oak models for precision and reliability.
Complications of Note
This brand has made very complex watches in the past, such as its 1899 model with multiple functions including a minute repeater and perpetual calendar.
The brand also developed watches under the name Tourbillon, solely developed to enhance precision.
Innovation and Technology
Audemars Piguet has never ceased to revolutionize watchmaking, but they have evolved into new territories using contemporary materials like ceramics and carbon.
This is one of the reasons why Audemars Piquet is such a well-recognized brand for many people.
Patek Philippe
Movement Excellence
Patek Philippe has been famous for creating astounding in-house movements crafted and finished by hand. The watches are super reliable and in fact, they can be handed down to generations.
The Signature Complications
If you are looking for complicated watch manufacturing, Patek Philippe will always take the top place in the industry.
- The perpetual calendars
- Minute repeaters
- Split-second chronographs
These are the game-changing features of this brand.
Innovation in Tradition
Patek Philippe does not hesitate to innovate; their Nautilus, launched in 1976, was the first luxury sporty watch the brand had ever made.
Source: [Swisswatches Magazine]
They do not feel timid, either, about incorporating modern materials like sapphire crystal inside a watch and still maintaining its classic integrity of watchmaking.
Audemars Piguet vs Patek Philippe: Market Value and Investment Potential
Audemars Piguet
Current Market Trends
Audemars Piguet's demand and prices for its Royal Oak model have always been at a hype. The brand's sales have more than doubled in the last five years and could top about 2 billion Swiss francs ($2.2 billion) by 2023.
The Royal Oak brand is determined to be in the price range between $50,000 and $100,000.
Despite the prices of certain luxury watches stepping down after the pandemic. Audemars Piguet watches still performed ensuring their watches are made and delivered right.
The historical data of Audemars Piguet watches indicates that they appreciate; hence the investment option is quite strong.
Some of the models that do a significant price rise when resold are the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore.
The Collectors' Insights
To collectors, Audemars Piguet is an investment of quality and innovation. The low volume supports the secondary market, and many collectors do like its design and historical importance.
Owning an Audemars Piguet is not just merely getting financial returns; rather, it possesses a horological history that speaks for a taste for luxury and craftsmanship.
Patek Philippe
Market Demand
Patek Philippe is considered the very essence of fine watchmaking. The brand's connoisseurs and collectors-investors show high demand for its products. 
Source: [Statista]
In a year, Patek Philippe produces only around 68,000 watches, which places this brand in a stronger and more demanding market value. [Source: Horando]
Therefore generally causes long waiting lists for many interested buyers wanting new models. Its quality and workmanship have contributed to this brand's leadership in the luxury watch segment.
Long-Term Investment
Patek Philippe watches are considered to have immense investment potential and, in most cases, do well at auction houses.
Several complications, such as perpetual calendars and minute repeaters, have gained huge value over the years.
Patek Philippe watches sell way above their original retail prices and are among the favorites for investors, thus preferring solid investments in the luxury market.
Heritage Value
Patek Philippe’s resale value pretty much hinges on the brand’s long history. The brand even has a long tradition and innovation in making complicated watches. This is also a solid reason for the brand to hold its resale value.
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Audemars Piguet vs Patek Philippe: Which Brand Should You Go For?
Audemars Piguet is known for bold designs with innovative features and appeals to collectors with more of a sporty look.
On the other hand, Patek Philippe is known for its traditional craftsmanship and detailed complications that definitely would be perfect for those who like classic elegance.
We can consider both brands as great investment options. However, many experts think Audemars Piguet does better at holding its value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand has a higher resale value, Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe?
Both these brands hold great value in the resale market. However, some certain limited models and editions can give a significant premium look.
Is the Royal Oak the most iconic watch from Audemars Piguet?
Yes, it can be said and it’s because of the weighty presence Royal Oak gives! Plus, another reason that makes the Royal Oak pretty iconic is the detailed horological detail the model comes with.
What makes Patek Philippe watches so expensive?
The Patek Philippe is quite high because of the effort and complexity it takes to craft and assemble all the pieces. Patek Philippe even offers advanced features that also contribute to the price rise of the brand.
Can Patek Philippe watches be personalized?
Yes, Patek Philippe often accepts personalized offers from their customers.