Audemars Piguet was founded in1875 when Jules Audemars met with Edward-August Piguet in the Vallée de Joux of Switzerland. The company is now the only high-end Swiss watch brand still owned by the founding families. Between 1894 and 1899 Audemars Piguet produced approximately 1,200 watches and during the heart of the Great depression they produced only four watches in an entire calendar year. Today they are producing approximately 28,000 watches a year and are one of the most highly desirable brands in the world. The most popular timepieces AP produces are part of the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore collections.