Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is pleased to inaugurate a new manufacturing site in Le Brassus as part of ongoing celebrations for its 150^th anniversary. Named the Arc, the 23 700m² facility brings together local production teams under one roof, reaffirming the brand’s continued investment in the Vallée de Joux. Designed with flexibility, comfort, and sustainability in mind, the Minergie-ECO^® certified building supports the brand’s long-term ambitions and propels it into the future.


From the early days of the Établissage system — a network of artisans and ateliers specialised in individual watch components - Audemars Piguet has fostered a strong sense of collaboration while nurturing individual talent. Guided by this philosophy, this ambitious building project was developed with the aim of gathering the manufacturer’s technical specialities – previously dispersed across the Vallée de Joux – under one roof.

Designed by Geneva-based architectural firm de Giuli & Portier, and built by Alpenda SA, construction was completed within three years of receiving the building permit in 2019. Modelled on the Industry 4.0 concept¹, the project’s flexible infrastructure addresses future ways of working, allowing the company to adapt to evolving needs over time. With a surface area of 23 700 m², the new production site accommodates up to 700 employees, offering a pleasant working environment characterized by open space and natural light. Transparent partitions and ample meeting rooms encourage communication and idea-sharing between teams, while dedicated quiet zones and traditional offices allow for focus and privacy, allowing individuals to choose the environment that suits them best.

¹ Originating from the term Forth Industrial Revolution, the Industry 4.0 model represents a shift from traditional manufacturing practices towards automation and smart technology to revolutionise how businesses produce and distribute their products. The integration of this model addresses several simultaneous transitions: energy, ecological, digital, organizational, and societal, while providing a flexible and evolving framework for industrial activities.

Fitted with electrochromic technology, the tint of the glass façade automatically adjusts to light intensity and heat, ensuring optimal comfort for employees at all times without obstructing their exposure to natural light and surrounding views.

Poised to support future brand growth, the newly centralised production site will gradually allow for an increase in production capacity thanks to an optimised workflow and state-of-the-art facilities. Automated solutions designed to eliminate certain manual tasks will enable more employees to focus on those requiring dexterity and expertise.

As such, Audemars Piguet continues to bring its savoir-faire into the 21^st century while promoting and safeguarding watchmaking expertise native to the Vallée de Joux. By contributing to the region’s growth, the Manufacture contributes not only to economic development but also to local community life.


The Arc is equipped with a centralised storage system designed to streamline stock management and improve efficiency. Making optimal use of limited space, this GTP (Goods-to-Person) system uses shuttles to deliver components and parts to the appropriate workshops. Standing 15 metres high and fitted with 66 robots, this automated tool can perform up to 350 movements per hour (1,200 by 2030).

Production and Customer Service teams will now be able to retrieve the necessary components while saving around 15 seconds per operation. As the technical heart of the Manufacture in Le Brassus, the centralised storage system required several months of construction and testing before becoming fully operational and meeting the expectations of the various production teams.


Certifié Minergie Eco^©, l’Arc est comme les deux autres sites de production de la marque au Locle et à Meyrin, l’un des rares bâtiments à caractère exclusivement industriel à obtenir ce label en Suisse. Le projet a été développé dès le départ avec pour objectif de limiter son impact environnemental.

Following in the footsteps of Audemars Piguet’s existing production sites in Le Locle and Meyrin, the Arc is Minergie-ECO® certified, meeting the highest ecological standards for buildings in Switzerland. From the outset, the project was developed with the aim of limiting its impact on the environment.

Thanks to a carefully considered Partial Land Use Plan, an eco-responsible approach was prioritised. A dedicated green roof, for instance, recreates the ideal conditions for insects and birds, while simultaneously offering a panoramic view of the Vallée de Joux. The building benefits from advanced energy efficiency: in addition to heat recovered from industrial machinery, a fully renewable complementary energy source is provided via connection the “Brassus Bois” wood-fired heating plant located next to the station. At the start of the project, non-polluted excavated soil was transported from this same station for reuse in a major infrastructure project, reducing the ecological impact of the construction phase. Finally, the installation of a photovoltaic panel surface exceeding regulatory requirements provides additional energy to the Manufacture.

The architects proposed a crenelated surface to animate the curved façade, which stretches 321 metres. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it reduces the risk of bird collisions and limits glare from glass reflections. To guard against potential flooding, the building is surrounded by an 80-centimetre wall that protects it by diverting water towards a natural drainage channel without altering the surrounding environment.

Located next to Le Brassus station, the Arc is accessible by public transport and offers 502 parking spaces (274 at the Arc, 228 at the station) to minimise the impact of parking on public areas. The Brassus-Gare car park is also available to the community at weekends and during special events outside company use. Numerous spaces for electric vehicles have been provided. The company has also implemented an internal programme to encourage carpooling among employees and has generalised remote working for administrative roles.

Combining heritage and forward-looking vision, ancestral know-how and cutting-edge technology, this new building marks a significant milestone for Audemars Piguet and reflects its deep roots in the Vallée de Joux.


Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Based in Le Brassus since 1875, the company has nurtured generations of talented craftspeople who have continuously developed new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, Audemars Piguet has created numerous masterpieces, testament to the Manufacture’s ancestral savoir-faire and forward-thinking spirit. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible and building bridges between different creative worlds, Audemars Piguet has been able to explore new horizons and build an inspired community. The Beat Goes On.