The first stone of watchmaker Audemars Piguet's new new museum "Maison des Fondateurs" was installed on March 30 in Le Brassus, cradle of the Manufacture in the heart of the Vallée de Joux, western Switzerland.

Imagined by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, the new "Maison des Fondateurs" pairs the original museum established in the historical Audemars family house, with a futuristic spiral emerging from the fields, entirely supported by curved glass walls.

The ceremony, followed by a cocktail, was held in presence of Jasmine Audemars, chairwoman of the Audemars Piguet Board of Directors; Olivier Audemars, vice president of the Board of Directors; and François-Henry Bennahmias, chief executive officer of Audemars Piguet. The main partners of the project, Danish architects BIG, German museum design consultancy Atelier Brückner and Swiss architects CCHE as well as the authorities of the Vallée de Joux and of the Canton of Vaud also attended.

During the ceremony, Museum director Sébastian Vivas presented this unique project combining respect of the brand’s origins and openness to the world, transmission of traditions and freedom of imagination. Meanwhile, two watchmakers placed the 333 parts needed to assemble a Royal Oak in a waterproof case, before sealing it and burying it under the foundations of the future building…all this for the attention of the future generations of watchmakers who might one day discover this treasure.

The next step should take place before winter: the installation of the curved glass walls, each of them weighing more than two tons. The interior museography and the restoration of the historic building, will be carried out during 2018.

Jasmine Audemars concluded the ceremony saying: "This project is far from simple, but it is important, not only for Audemars Piguet but for the entire Vallée de Joux.  As a company, we are both international and local. We therefore thank all our partners and neighbours for their support, and especially for their taste for avant-garde projects!" - TradeArabia News Service