The AP House in Buckhead is much more than a boutique, according to the Swiss watchmaker

Audemars Piguet is heading from Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux to America’s South. The luxury watchmaker has just opened a new outpost in Atlanta, Georgia. Billed as “more than a boutique,” AP House Atlanta gives collectors a chance not just to shop but also enjoy music, art, and gastronomy. Think of it as a members’ club in which you can unwind before picking up the latest Royal Oak.

Located in the heart of Buckhead Village District, the house spans nearly 10,000 square feet across two stories. The ground floor features a curated collection of AP timepieces that spans historic models from the past 150 years to the avant-garde references of today. Beyond that mini AP retrospective lies a listening lounge for enjoying soulful tunes, as well as several customised spaces for chilling or perusing watches. Clients can enjoy personalised consultations, private viewings, and exclusive presentations, according to AP. To top it off, literally, a huge wraparound terrace offers sweeping views of the affluent Buckhead neighborhood below.

The upscale shopping destination where the AP house sits is also home to a Patek Philippe boutique and Hermès and Dior stores. AP looked beyond Buckhead for design inspiration, though: The watchmaker says the interiors, designed in partnership with Arcturis Square Feet Studio, reflect the vibrancy of Atlanta’s cultural landscape. That is perhaps most evident in the contemporary art that lines the walls. The works of local artist Patrick Eugene, for example, explore his Haitian-American heritage, with Atlanta being a major hub for the Black-African diaspora in the U.S. The decor also reflects AP’s design DNA, with bold materials and refined finishes. Polished metals play against deep woods, while dynamic lighting accentuates layered textures and structural forms.

AP currently has houses in Miami, New York, and L.A., as well as further abroad in Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Hong Kong, London, Milan, Mexico City, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo. The debut of the Atlanta house comes shortly after AP opened the new Arc Manufacture in the village of Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux, where it has been based since 1875. The new facility, which covers almost six acres, unites several sites that were previously spread across the region and puts all 700 employees under one roof, as reported by the Financial Times.

“We’re proud to expand our presence in the United States with the opening of AP House Atlanta—a new home for the Audemars Piguet community in the region,” CEO of Audemars Piguet Americas, Louis-Gabriel Fichet, said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming clients, friends of the brand, and horology enthusiasts to experience the essence of Le Brassus and engage with the world of Audemars Piguet.”

This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Audemars Piguet