⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
Audemars Piguet is a watch manufacture based in Le Brassus, in the Vallée de Joux, canton of Vaud. Its Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta, is an iconic model of Swiss watchmaking. In the 1970s, watch design was almost exclusively a male field, according to Luxury Tribune. Jacqueline Dimier was one of the industry's first women designers, according to Audemars Piguet.
The key points
Jacqueline Dimier died on 7 November 2026, aged 87, according to Luxury Tribune. Born in 1938 and trained as a graphic designer, she began her career in jewellery. She then worked with Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex, which she joined in 1968.
She joined Audemars Piguet on 6 January 1975 as a stylist. She designed most of the brand's models for 24 years, until 1999. In 1976, she created the first women's Royal Oak, reference 8638, with a 29 mm steel case. She reworked its proportions rather than scaling down the men's model.
She also contributed to the design of the ultra-thin automatic perpetual calendar launched in 1978, and to the Bambou model. Audemars Piguet dates the launch of the 8638 to 1976; a Luxury Tribune caption gives 1977.
Key figures
- 24 years : career at Audemars Piguet, from 1975 to 1999
- 1976 : launch of the women's Royal Oak 8638, according to Audemars Piguet
- 29 mm : case diameter of this watch
- 87 years : Jacqueline Dimier's age at her death
Who says what
- Emmanuel Gueit (former Audemars Piguet designer, who worked alongside her for thirteen years): he names her as one of his three mentors; in his words, she "brought the Royal Oak to life".
Analysis
- According to Luxury Tribune : her work between watch and jewellery echoes the Royal Oak Joaillerie collection, unveiled fifty years after the first women's version.
Further reading
Sources
- Audemars Piguet – Royal Oak II: Birth of the First Women’s Model (official source)
- Luxury Tribune – Jacqueline Dimier has passed away: watchmaking loses a visionary designer
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