A New Chapter for an Old Building

Meyrin has long housed AP’s case and bracelet manufacture, but the brand is now dramatically increasing its capacity. In 2023, AP took over a distinctive U‑shaped building originally constructed in 1965 for a pharmaceutical company. After extensive renovation, the structure now offers 9,000 square metres of space—nearly four times the brand’s previous footprint—and can accommodate up to 350 employees.

Rather than constructing something entirely new, AP chose to breathe new life into an existing industrial landmark. The building has been fully modernised, equipped with updated energy‑management systems and the infrastructure needed for contemporary machining and production.

A Neighbourhood of Watchmaking Heavyweights

The expanded facility sits just minutes from Les Boîtiers de Genève, F.P. Journe’s own case and bracelet manufacture, and within a cluster of major horological players including Roger Dubuis and Chopard. Meyrin is already a hive of watchmaking activity, and AP’s investment only deepens the area’s industrial significance.

The site will also host AP’s New Technologies hub—an extension of the brand’s internal “Fab Lab” initiative, which focuses on research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing processes.

Building an Industrial Ecosystem

During a recent conversation with Lucas Raggi, AP’s chief industrial officer, the brand’s long‑term manufacturing strategy became clear: scale with purpose. AP has been investing heavily in infrastructure to support both quality and volume.

The Arc Manufacture in Le Brassus, which recently became operational, was designed as part of a broader ecosystem capable of producing up to 65,000 watches per year. That’s a substantial increase from the roughly 30,000 watches produced just a few years ago and the estimated 50,000 expected in 2025.

The Meyrin expansion—quadrupling the space dedicated to case and bracelet production—is another decisive step toward that goal. It signals a brand preparing for sustained growth while reinforcing its commitment to industrial excellence.