The Watch - Stories and Savoir Faire: Audemars Piguet pays homage to the art of watchmaking

To mark its 150th anniversary, the Audemars Piguet Manufacture is presenting a new book dedicated to the history and anatomy of the watch. The almost 600-page volume, published by Flammarion, is aimed at the curious, enthusiasts and experts alike and combines technical expertise with historical insights and anecdotes.

Exploring the many facets of the art of watchmaking, "The Watch - Stories and Savoir Faire" takes readers on a journey into the heart of timepieces and honours the passion and talent of generations of artisans.

Published by Flammarion, the book takes readers behind the scenes of haute horlogerie and offers an instructive and exciting insight into techniques and expertise as well as the numerous components of a watch - from the dial, case and bracelet to complicated movements and complications. Interviews, photos, illustrations and archive documents complement the content.

"I wish this book had existed when I discovered my love of watchmaking. It is exactly what I would have given to my friends and colleagues - as an introduction to the world of mechanical watches and as a valuable companion on their further journey in this field," comments Sébastian Vivas (Director Heritage & Museum Audemars Piguet).

The book was compiled by the Audemars Piguet Heritage team and contains numerous technical and historical insights as well as anecdotes. Did you know, for example, that the terms used in gastronomy and to describe watch dials have interesting similarities? Or what the term "zapon" means?

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Zapon

You will often hear the word "zapon" in a watchmaker's workshop. At the beginning of the 20th century, the term referred to a lacquer produced by the American Celluloid Zapon Company. Over time, it became a generic term for clear protective lacquer. In a broader sense, "zaponising" refers to the application of a layer of varnish.

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Sophie de Closets (Managing Director Flammarion) says: "This book is truly unique. It is the result of outstanding work with the clear aim of bringing the world of watchmaking to the widest possible audience. We are delighted to support Audemars Piguet in presenting this knowledge in such a lively way. What better time to publish such a work than the year in which both our publishing house and the Manufacture are celebrating their 150th anniversary?"