Fashion
A museum in the Swiss mountains: Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet
You will want to drop your pin at this location
Hidden in the picturesque Jura valley, in a small watchmaking village called Le Brassus, you will find the 145-year-old headquarters of Audemars Piguet. Surrounded by farmland, vineyards and historical buildings from the 19th century there’s a new attraction in town that is impossible to miss. The brand has built an impressive museum, a contemporary construction crafted from curved glass, brass mesh and steel—a stark contrast from traditional Swiss architecture. “We wanted visitors to experience our heritage, savoir-faire, cultural origins and openness to the world in a building that would reflect both our rootedness and forward-thinking spirit,” explains Jasmine Audemars, chairwoman of the board of directors and great-granddaughter of the founder. Finding the perfect balance between the ancient and the avant-garde, the old and the new, has always been important to the Audemars Piguet vision, in their watches and in their estate. Here are five things you need to know about this swanky structure:
1
In keeping with the theme, the museum’s spiral design is inspired by the twirls of a watch spring.
2
The roof is lined with grass and you can walk in it! The lush green also helps to regulate the building’s temperature, absorb water and blend into the surrounding landscape.
3
There are 300 watches on display inside, including the most complicated pocket watch ever produced by Audemars Piguet: ‘1899 Universelle’ and a rare vintage chronograph from 1943 you don’t want to miss.
4
The museum is connected to the historical building where the company was founded in 1875. You will find the archives and workshops for restoring antique pieces here.
5
This project was designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels’ firm (BIG) and there’s talk of a sustainable hotel coming up in Le Brassus next year by the same guys. Watch this space.
The Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet opens to the public on June 25
