Audemars Piguet Expands Its Vision of Luxury Watches With a New Manufacture in Meyrin
Audemars Piguet reinforces its long-term vision with the inauguration of a new manufacture in Meyrin, near Geneva. Designed to unify production, accelerate innovation, and support future growth, this new hub reflects the strategic direction of a Maison deeply connected to the expectations of the 1%.
A New Era of Production for Luxury Watches
After three years of development, the new Meyrin manufacture significantly expands Audemars Piguet’s operational footprint. The site now offers approximately 9,000 square meters of production space, nearly four times the size of the previous facility.
Close to 200 specialists have already relocated to the new building, with capacity designed to accommodate up to 350 employees. This expansion allows the Maison to bring together multiple divisions within a single environment, encouraging collaboration and enhancing the efficiency of production flows.
For collectors of luxury watches, this level of vertical integration strengthens the consistency and quality associated with high horology.
Architecture Designed for Precision and Innovation
The project blends heritage and modernity through the transformation of a historic industrial structure originally built in the 1960s. The U-shaped building has been restored and extended with a new four-storey structure, creating a cohesive architectural identity.
Inside, the manufacture is designed as a fluid and adaptable space. Open-plan production floors, modular partitions, and integrated technical systems allow for continuous evolution as watchmaking technologies advance.
Workshops follow a logical sequence across three levels. Machining, finishing, and assembly are located on the ground level, while technical offices and collaborative spaces occupy the upper floors. A dedicated division focused on new technologies reinforces Audemars Piguet’s commitment to innovation within the luxury watches sector.
Sustainability as a Core Principle
The new manufacture reflects a broader shift within luxury watches toward responsible production. The site integrates solar energy systems, rainwater collection, and intelligent energy management solutions that optimize performance across all operations.
Certified under both Minergie Rénovation and Minergie-P-Eco standards, the building embodies a balance between environmental responsibility and industrial excellence. These elements align with the expectations of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, who increasingly value sustainability alongside craftsmanship and exclusivity.
Supporting Growth in a Rising UHNW Market
The expansion of production capacity arrives at a time when the global population of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals continues to grow. Wealth projections indicate an increase of more than 20 percent in the coming years, with a significant concentration of wealth in markets such as North America and the Middle East.
This demographic plays a defining role in the demand for luxury watches, particularly for highly crafted, limited-production timepieces. Swiss watch exports exceed CHF 26 billion annually, underscoring the sustained appetite for exceptional watchmaking.
For the 1%, access to rare creations is closely tied to the ability of Maisons to control quality, innovation, and production at scale.
Strengthening a Global Watchmaking Vision
The Meyrin manufacture follows the recent opening of a major production site in Le Brassus, further illustrating Audemars Piguet’s investment in long-term growth. Together, these developments create a network of advanced facilities that support both traditional craftsmanship and future technologies.
In the world of luxury watches, such investments represent more than expansion. They signal a commitment to excellence, continuity, and innovation.
For the 1%, the value of a timepiece is shaped not only by its design and mechanics, but also by the ecosystem behind it. With its new manufacture in Meyrin, Audemars Piguet continues to define what that ecosystem looks like in the modern era of watchmaking.
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