Sébastian Vivas of Audemars Piguet: “We may be 150 years old, but we’re still young at heart”

This year marks a monumental milestone for Audemars Piguet as the Swiss watchmaker celebrates 150 years of horological excellence—a legacy defined not only by technical mastery and bold innovation, but also by the people and places that have shaped its journey. From its roots in the Vallée de Joux to its global stature today, Audemars Piguet’s story is inseparable from the generations of craftsmen, designers, collectors, and communities who have contributed to its enduring success. In commemorating this milestone year, Audemars Piguet isn't just honouring its past; it is also paying tribute to the human spirit that continues to drive its vision forward.

Read more: Audemars Piguet’s CEO Ilaria Resta on the brand’s 150-Year legacy

Tatler GMT gets on a call with heritage and museum director Sébastian Vivas for his insights on Audemars Piguet’s legacy in Swiss watchmaking.

For its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet has chosen to celebrate the watchmakers that have made it one of the leading horological players in the world today

How does it feel to be celebrating Audemars Piguet’s 150th anniversary this year?We’re extremely happy and proud to be celebrating this milestone, as it truly is a celebration of the people working at Audemars Piguet, our partners, friends, and clients. We're 150 years young; we still feel extremely creative, active and a little bit crazy. And this is what we want to keep alive—this energy and free spirit.

I think our founders would be extremely surprised—and proud—to see how the company has evolved and grown to have such an impact on modern watchmaking. Personally, I’m privileged to be part of this adventure, this incredible story. So while 150th is a symbol, it is a very important symbol.

What aspects of Audemars Piguet’s legacy do you think are important to preserve?We need to preserve our energy, our free spirit, our creativity. We need to preserve our utmost respect for colleagues and for all the generations that have come before us. At the same time, we need to look forward. We're always trying to find the perfect balance between traditional know-how and innovation—this is also what we need to preserve.

See also: World Watch Day: Horology celebrates global recognition on October 10, 2025

Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland

Does the quest for mechanical perfection resonate with the younger generation?We live in the digital age, but we also believe it can be enriched by traditional analog. Mechanical watches are not anachronistic—they are part of our culture and identity.

You are responsible for curating the incredible display of objects in the museum. What are the key considerations when it comes to creating a holistic narrative of Audemars Piguet’s legacy?When we look through our archives, it’s like searching in a gold mine—a treasure hunt, if you will. We don’t differentiate the past, present, and future—they are naturally connected. We don’t want to be too academic and boring; we want people to enjoy and get the same pleasure that we do when we discover something exciting. With every exhibit, we start with a story. What do we want to tell? What do people want to know? We build our stories in chapters. For instance, if we talk about the origin of the brand, we start with the families—we build a family tree and create a model of the place (Le Brassus). And then we talk about the challenges they face and how they overcome them. As historians, we enjoy studying how people responded to the challenges of the period and the solutions they devised to overcome them. I believe there’s still a lot to discover—we’re only at the beginning.

Audemars Piguet held a 150th Anniversary pop-up exhibition in Shanghai from May 24-June 8, 2025. The exhibition will continue its journey to different parts of the world throughout the year.

What is the interaction like between the heritage department and the watchmakers?There is always interaction. We are connected to client service because all watches that need to be restored are done in the heritage department. In terms of a new creation like the Code 11.59, there are parts inspired by a watch from the 1940s. The [RE]Master02 collection is a reinterpretation of a relatively unknown watch produced in a limited number of pieces, and we want to share it in a more modern way.

When you walk and want to go far, you need both legs—one always trailing behind, the other stepping forward. One is rooted in the past, the other moves toward the future. This is what we do in the heritage department.

The original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from 1972, a revolutionary design that continues to be highly coveted by collectors today

What do you enjoy most about your job?Working with an incredibly dynamic and creative group of passionate people. We also get to be involved in different kinds of projects—from the creation of watches to exhibitions, and even films. It is about restoration but also preservation.

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