If you’ve ever wanted to see time come to life, there’s no better place than the Vallée de Joux this year. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Swiss watchmaking legend Audemars Piguet (Instagram) is pulling back the curtain with a bold exhibition titled “The House of Wonders,” hosted at its flagship Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus. Equal parts immersive, emotional, and educational, the exhibition is more than a retrospective—it’s an invitation to step into the soul of the brand.
The exhibition reimagines Audemars Piguet’s storied past as a walk-through dreamscape. Designed as an homage to the House’s original 1907 atelier, the House of Wonders unfolds in seven evocative stages—from archival images and secret sketches to a whimsical forest installation—each space revealing the watchmakers, artisans, and creatives who’ve shaped the brand since 1875. Whether you’re a horological purist or just intrigued by beautiful things, this is a deep dive into the alchemy of time, craft, and human passion.
To bring their legacy closer to the present, Audemars Piguet is also launching a trio of hands-on masterclasses. Adults can explore the materials used in the company’s incredible timepieces in “Shaping Materials – 150 Years,” or get intimate with the iconic Royal Oak in “Origins of the Royal Oak”, a workshop that culminates in assembling your own Calibre 4302 movement and a case while trying your hand at decorative techniques. And yes, the next generation is invited too: a special Wednesday afternoon workshop lets kids aged 8–12 play watchmaker-for-a-day, discovering stunning watches and assembling part of a Calibre 4302.
For the first time, the museum is also spotlighting the work of the Audemars Piguet Foundations. Tucked inside the Founders’ Hall, an astronomy-inspired installation tracks the Foundation’s environmental and social impact across 80 countries, from sustainability projects to education initiatives. It’s a reminder that the brand’s vision goes far beyond the movement of hands on a dial—it’s about shaping the future, too.
Can’t make it to Switzerland? Don’t worry—the House of Wonders is hitting the road. After its debut in Le Brassus, the exhibition will land in Dubai this November. Because some stories are too powerful to stay in one place.
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