Tokyo (SCCIJ) – Visitors of Tokyo’s youth district of Harajuku can dive deeply into the creation of mechanical watches at the world’s first interactive facility “AP Lab Tokyo”. The Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet (AP) lets visitors experience traditional watchmaking through games and hands-on activities.
Audemars Piguet has been operating the "AP LAB Tokyo" in Harajuku since July.
Office-like façade
The facility sits close to Cat Street in the bustling district of Harajuku. The striking bronze-colored mesh façade is a reference to the glass pavilion front at the Musee Atelier Audemars Piguet in the brand’s hometown Le Brassus, Switzerland. However, the understated design, marked only by the brand’s logo, gives it the appearance of an office or showroom.
The AP Lab Tokyo is based on the concept of “edutainment”. Visitors won’t find any watches showcased. Instead, the focus is on enriching their understanding of the essence of time and the world of luxury timepieces. Through interactive games and practical experiences, they are introduced to the fundamental architecture of a mechanical watch that maintains accurate timekeeping, along with an exploration of intricate mechanisms like repeaters and moon phases.
The "Audemars Piguet LAB Tokyo" uses edutainment to give insights into the making of mechanical luxury watches.
Five “ateliers”
The main floor houses five distinct ateliers on the themes of “TIME” (watches), “MATERIALS” (materials), “ENERGY” (mechanisms), “CHIMING” (sound), and “ASTRONOMY” (celestial objects). They are designed to engage both novices and watch aficionados alike, offering new insights that are both informative and engaging.
Visitors hone their perception of time and gain a deeper understanding of the meticulous craftsmanship of watchmakers and the unique materials used in luxury watches. For example, visitors encounter a magnetic hourglass. This contemporary art-like object offers a unique way for guests to connect with the concept of “time.” Simultaneously, they can explore the storied history of this Swiss luxury brand.
The "Audemars Piguet LAB Tokyo" aims to introduce young people to the world of mechanical watches.
Master class
In one atelier, visitors use touch to identify the materials of Audemars Piguet watches. The “Mechanism” theme is explored through a puzzle demonstrating how a mechanical watch transmits energy via gears to maintain precise timing. Another atelier delves into the complexities of the minute repeater. The astronomy section features a huge model of a dial reproducing the moon phase. This rare item is worldwide only displayed in Tokyo.
After completing the five games, visitors advance to the master class on the second floor. At a watch workshop, they can try their hand at the various techniques of mechanical watchmaking. Expert watchmakers will guide them through the decorative finishing techniques of haute horlogerie, such as hairline finishing and perlage patterning.
Visitors can reserve a tour spot at the bottom of this webpage.
Text: SCCIJ based on material of Audemars Piguet
