AP CELEBRATES THEIR 150 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH MARK RONSON AND RAYE

There is no celebration without music and to commemorate its 150th anniversary, Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is thrilled to unveil a dedicated track created in collaboration with long-term friend of the brand Mark Ronson and new AP family member RAYE. The song titled “Suzanne” was revealed during an exclusive evening at London’s 180 Studios, which gathered artists, clients and friends of the brand for a celebration full of passion and emotion. Following the release of the song, the film Syncing Sounds 150 will offer a rare insight into the duo’s creative process and collaborative journey. By partnering with talents who share common values, Audemars Piguet continues to expand its dynamic music programme while crafting experiences that go beyond watchmaking.

“SUZANNE” – A TRIBUTE TO FAMILY AND HERITAGE

Initiated by AP for its 150th anniversary, RAYE and Mark Ronson’s collaborative journey culminated in the creation and release of an original track. Titled “Suzanne”, it speaks to heritage and family spirit, showcasing the artists’ common values by blending the sounds of musical instruments with digital technology and creating a groovy melody enhanced by RAYE’s unparalleled vocals. When she suggested the name “Suzanne” for their song, Mark was struck by the coincidence, as it resonated with a significant figure from his past. It wasn’t until post-production, however, that the duo linked the name to the story of Suzanne Audemars, a direct ascendent of both the Audemars and Piguet families, whose courage would play a role in the founding of the company. This captivating story is portrayed in the latest AP Chronicles article and the serendipitous connection cemented the title of the song.

Additionally, Audemars Piguet has extended the experience for music lovers by documenting the creative process behind “Suzanne”. Directed by Theodor Guelat, the film Syncing Sounds 150 provides exclusive backstage access to the world of RAYE and Mark Ronson, exploring their artistic mindsets and their journey from raw inspiration to studio recording.

RAYE and Mark Ronson’s contrasting styles capture the essence of the brand’s values: craftsmanship, passion, and collaboration. Meticulous and introspective, Ronson’s refined and understated style organically complements RAYE’s vibrant personality and raw expressive energy. Together, they embody the balance between tradition and innovation, spontaneity and precision – a harmony at the heart of both watchmaking and music.

“I’ve admired RAYE’s artistry for years now, watching her evolution from songwriter to the powerhouse artist she’s become. When Audemars Piguet brought us together through their APxMusic programme, it felt like the stars aligning at exactly the right moment. This collaboration isn’t just another project – it’s something we’ve poured ourselves into completely… all night tracking sessions in London, New York and Los Angeles. The music we’ve created together carries both our musical DNA but takes us somewhere neither of us would have reached alone. I can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve made. There’s nothing quite like that moment when a piece of music finally leaves your hands and finds its place in the world. I hope it resonates with you the way it has with us.” – Mark Ronson (DJ, songwriter, and record producer).

AP150 IN LONDON – AN EVENING OF INSPIRING SYNERGIES

The launch of the new track was held at 180 Studios, London’s iconic cultural centre. Guests and friends were welcomed to the venue where the entrance was transformed to replicate the brand’s home in Le Brassus, creating an enchanting journey through the region’s natural landscape. With Benji B.’s musical curation setting the mood, the interactive décor went on to disclose historical archives, lively portraits of the AP family, as well as its watchmakers’ safe-guarded secrets. Further down, the entrance to a speakeasy then opened to reveal a complete change of scenery.

The evening continued with an informal dinner in a vibrant, yet intimate atmosphere inspired by the distinctive vibe of recording studios, perfectly capturing the essence of the APxMusic programme. To everyone’s surprise, RAYE took the stage for an electrifying performance, followed by the surprise reveal of “Suzanne”, setting the stage for an unforgettable night on the dancefloor. A DJ set by Mark Ronson himself later ignited the dancefloor, bringing together artists, clients and friends of the brand for a unique musical experience celebrating passion, teamwork and talent.

RAYE – APXMUSIC’S GIFTED NEW TALENT

Audemars Piguet is delighted to welcome RAYE as its newest friend of the brand. A classically trained musician known for her ability to blend traditional and progressive musical influences, Rachel Agatha Keen has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary music. Winning a record-breaking six trophies at the BRIT Awards in 2024 including Best Artist, Album and Song, Raye made history by becoming the most decorated artist at a single ceremony and the first woman ever to win Songwriter of the Year. Among the world’s most streamed musicians, she was honoured at the Ivor Novello Awards later that year and received three Grammy nominations including Best New Artist and another for Songwriter of the Year, cementing her status as a true icon in the music industry.

In addition to her genre-defying approach and artistic versatility, RAYE shares Audemars Piguet’s deep sense of family spirit, multicultural outlook and dedication to craft. Working closely with her parents, her desire to push boundaries and forge her own path is truly inspiring, embodying the independent spirit that has characterised Audemars Piguet since 1875. This first collaboration with the brand is certainly not the last and marks the beginning of a promising and fruitful friendship.

“Music is my chosen purpose; it fuels my passion and dedication to create. I find inspiration from artists whose craft is so alive that their works remain timeless even after they’ve passed. Making “Suzanne” with Mark Ronson was a kind of miracle and discovering the song’s underlying connection with the brand’s history was mind-blowing! I’m truly honoured to be working with AP and the legendary Mark Ronson. I love this song and am so proud of it… it feels like everything was meant to be.” – RAYE (Singer and songwriter).

AP AND MUSIC – A LONG-STANDING TRADITION

Over the years, Audemars Piguet has leaned into the creative convergence between Haute Horlogerie and the world of music through various collaborations. One of its main partnerships began in 2006 when the Manufacture joined forces with EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) and a panel of experts including musicians, for an 8-year research programme to improve the acoustic tonality of its chiming watches.

Furthering its engagement in the world of music, Audemars Piguet has been contributing to the Montreux Jazz Digital Project since 2010, in collaboration with the Claude Nobs Foundation and EPFL. This sizeable project covers the digitisation, preservation and enrichment of the Festival’s audiovisual archives, acknowledged by UNESCO as part of its “Memory of the World” register.

In 2019, Audemars Piguet became Global Partner of the Montreux Jazz Festival and debuted its APxMusic programme to support musical talents through collaborations directly benefitting the artists’ practice and development. In this capacity, the brand launched its ‘180’ miniseries in 2020, retracing the creative process of artists invited to collaborate on an original track. This project was followed by a performance on the fringes of the Montreux Jazz Festival’s 2021 edition, which paved the way for the launch of Audemars Piguet Parallel in 2022. Coinciding with the Festival, this innovative concert series provides select artists with the opportunity to perform in special locations while simultaneously offering unique hospitality experiences. The same year, Audemars Piguet announced Mark Ronson as a friend of the brand, kicking off the partnership with a series of short videos documenting the creative process at play between the British-American producer and R&B artist Lucky Daye with their collaboration “Too Much.” In 2023, Ronson was entrusted with organising the Montreux Jazz Festival’s closing party and gathered his musical family on stage for the occasion.

Furthermore, the brand has also fostered individual and bespoke collaborations with artists from diverse backgrounds, such as the Berlin-based DJ collective Keinemusik, opening the brand to new perspectives that resonate with a wide audience. Today, the brand continues to work on collaborative projects with various music artists around the world, welcoming RAYE as the latest talent to join the AP family.

“The APxMusic programme is an extension of our commitment to nurturing creativity and talent. We are so excited to bring RAYE and Mark Ronson together, in time for our 150th anniversary, to present a wonderful, original track that will resonate with the AP Community and the public for years to come.” – Ilaria Resta (Chief Executive Officer, Audemars Piguet).

Further information – Audemars Piguet | Raye | Mark Ronson