The official inauguration of the Florentine Audemars Piguet boutique took place yesterday at 12 noon, with the classic ribbon-cutting ceremony, in the presence of Jasmine Audemars, president of the company's board of directors, François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet, Franco Ziviani, Country Manager Italy, Edoardo Piccini, retailer of the Ugo Piccini jewellery store, with whom the company collaborated for the opening of the boutique, and Giovanni Bettarini, councillor for economic development of the city of Florence. So, after Milan, Venice, Rome and the seasonal boutique in Porto Cervo, Audemars Piguet lands in Florence and opens, in collaboration with Ugo Piccini jewellers, its new boutique in the heart of the city, at number 16 Ponte Vecchio. A little gem housed in a three-storey building, the only one on the bridge whose façade was restored by the famous architect Giuseppe Martelli in the 19th century. The boutique fits perfectly into this place, a symbol of the city, in a continuous dialogue between inside and outside. On the ground floor, a window opens onto the river, like a painting that offers a unique and spectacular view of Ponte Santa Trinità. On the third floor, on the other hand, from a charming little terrace, one can enjoy an absolutely unprecedented view of Ponte Vecchio. Also preserved here is an ancient oven dating back to the 16th century, which was used to melt gold. The interior décor codes are typical of all the Maison's boutiques, creating a unique experience that brings the visitor even closer to the world of Le Brassus, the cradle of Haute Horlogerie, the birthplace of Audemars Piguet in 1875 and still the headquarters of the Manufacture today. The occasion also served to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the women's Royal Oak, which Audemars Piguet "exploited" to present the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold, a glittering timepiece and reinterpretation of an iconic design, in white and pink gold and created in collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer Carolina Bucci. In 2016, the Manufacture in Le Brassus pays tribute to the style and character of the designers who have contributed to enriching the heritage of the Royal Oak, from Jacqueline Dimier, who reinterpreted Gérald Genta's original 1972 model and imagined the first Royal Oak for women in 1976, to Carolina Bucci. The launch of the Royal Oak Frosted Gold further confirms Audemars Piguet's traditional passion for experimenting with new goldsmithing techniques. The salient characteristic of this timepiece lies in its sparkling lustre due to a special surface treatment process rooted in an ancient technique of hammering gold, also known as the Florentine technique or diamond polishing. Carolina Bucci has reinterpreted this technique by applying it to contemporary jewellery design, while Audemars Piguet experts have adapted it to the exclusive watchmaking construction of the Royal Oak's case and bracelet. The affinity between the tactile quality of Florentine diamond polishing and the original brushed/polished workmanship of the case and bracelet of the Royal Oak - a characteristic element of this iconic design - gave rise to the idea of a collaboration between the two companies. The Florentine technique has been used for decades in Carolina Bucci's goldsmith workshops, especially on smaller pieces. By beating the surface of the gold with a diamond-tipped tool, tiny notches are created that give the metal a sparkle similar to that of precious stones. For several years, Carolina Bucci has also been using this effect on rigid bracelets and necklaces, for a bold style that emphasises the finish more than any other design element.
