The esteemed Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet proudly announced its latest public exhibition, “Seek Beyond: Shaping Materials,” taking place at Portrait Milano’s Piazza del Quadrilatero, in the heart of Milan.
This immersive experience delves into the Manufacture’s universe, paying homage to the audacious and innovative spirit that has propelled generations of watchmakers and artisans to pioneer new ideas and sculpt the world of Audemars Piguet. This exhibition follows the inauguration of the brand’s new AP House Milano in the historic Garage Traversi building on Via Bagutta, further cementing Audemars Piguet’s strong connection with Milan, a city that shares its profound dedication to heritage, creativity, and modernity.
“Seek Beyond: Shaping Materials” narrates the story of Audemars Piguet’s unyielding pursuit of creative techniques and designs. It begins with the raw materials, tracing their transformation into watch components before they are meticulously finished by skilled artisans. The exhibition also underscores the brand’s unique design journey, often drawing inspiration from broader cultural, architectural, and artistic movements.
For over a century, Audemars Piguet watch cases have been reimagined in various sizes, materials, and shapes, utilizing traditional geometries—round, square, and rectangular—alongside more unconventional forms such as trapezoids and octagons. This boundless creativity merges material innovation and form language with artistic dials, vibrant colors, and exquisite gem-setting techniques, bringing forth expressive designs that embody the pioneering spirit nurtured by the Manufacture through the generations.
The exhibition is divided into five distinct rooms, each showcasing a curated selection of heritage and contemporary timepieces. This includes some of the brand’s latest creations and a series of watches designed for the slenderest wrists, notable for their advancements in miniaturization, design, material innovation, or gem-setting. Accompanied by edutainment content, the displays promise an engaging and educational experience, ensuring complete immersion and enjoyment for all visitors.
“We are delighted to host the new brand exhibition Seek Beyond: Shaping Materials in Milan, sharing our savoir-faire and passion for Haute Horlogerie with watch lovers and novices alike. Its free-spirited exploration of materials and shapes, past and present, strongly resonates with the city of Milan – a centre of history, creativity and design. This exhibition also complements the opening of our new AP House Milano, located in the building of the former Garage Traversi on Via Bagutta, further strengthening the brand’s local ties with the city and the Italian market.” – Ilaria Resta (Chief Executive Officer, Audemars Piguet)
by Olga Barrale