The Bite Magazine - Summer 2012 - Issue 5

bite watch A host of celebrities joined Audemars Piguet’s CEO Philippe Merk, President & CEO of North America, Francois-Henry Bennahmias and Administrator, Olivier Audemars in celebration of 40 years of the iconic timepiece, the Royal Oak, the world’s first ever luxury sports watch which sparked a complete paradigm shift in the watch industry. The black tie gala held in NewYork at the Park Avenue Armory on March 21st for 200 guests was attended by celebrities such as GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger, New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, film actor and director Ed Burns, Montreux Jazz Festival’s director Claude Nobs, hockey legend Sean Avery, producer/rapper Swizz Beatz and former NewYork Giants running backTiki Barber. At the cocktail reception guests were served Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’or Cuvée 1999 vintage champagne and treated to an exceptional three-course menu with Swiss influences prepared by renowned caterer Olivier Cheng. Wine was also provided by Château Malartic- Lagravière at the dinner. The long tables set in the Armory’s spectacular main hall set the scene, dramatically decorated with glass containers holding foliage reminiscent of the landscape of the Le Brassus region where Audemars Piguet was founded. The evening’s entertainment was provided by The Irrepressibles, a band selected by Audemars Piguet because of its audacity, which is one of the brand’s core values. The band’s theatrical stage presence CELEBRITIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD PARTIED WITH LUXURY SWISS TIMEPIECE MAKER, AUDEMARS PIGUET IN NEWYORK AND MILAN AS THEY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THEIR YEAR- LONG CELEBRATION OF 40YEARS OF THE ICONIC TIMEPIECE, THE ROYAL OAK. JADA BROOKES REPORTS ONWHAT HAPPENED AT EACH EVENT. AUDEMARS PIGUET 40 CELEBRATES YEARS OF ROYAL OAK WITH CELEBRITIES