The process starts online, where sellers register their watch and provide proof of ownership. Eligible timepieces must be at least two years past their initial buy date before insured shipping sends them to an Audemars Piguet service facility. There, the watch is inspected, authenticated against the brand's archives, and evaluated for its condition. AP then puts together a detailed listing with high-resolution photographs and a five-point grading system covering the case, dial, and bracelet, giving buyers a clearer idea of what they're looking at before committing. Sellers can choose between setting a fixed price and accepting bids, and the watch stays securely stored at AP until the sale is completed. Buyers also have to register before making a purchase. Once the deal is done, the watch arrives with a certificate of authenticity, a travel pouch, and a two-year warranty covering proper functioning. The platform is expected to feature around 100 watches at a time, potentially including pieces that are difficult to track down through traditional retail channels.
Audemars Piguet has been making watches since 1875, and its own archives and service network give it a direct way to verify the history and authenticity of the watches passing through the platform. That matters in a market where two watches that look nearly identical can have very different histories, conditions, and values. The Watch Keepers will launch in Switzerland and Europe before expanding into other regions, giving AP another way to connect its watches with the people who want to wear them.
Source: Audemars Piguet
