30 Jun 2025
Have you ever thought about how music and watches might be connected? At first glance, they seem worlds apart — one belongs on your wrist, the other in your headphones. But think about it: the steady tick-tock of a watch is the world’s most basic rhythm.
So, when Audemars Piguet hit their 150th birthday, of course, they went big. First, they did what you would expect from a legendary Swiss brand: they dropped a super limited Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked “150th Anniversary” — just 150 pieces. Titanium and Bulk Metallic Glass, their famous Calibre 5135 movement making its last appearance, and a dial inspired by an old-school pocket watch from their own museum. It is classic AP — but with a seriously modern twist.
But here is where things get even more interesting (and brings us right back to that question at the top about the link between watches and music): watches weren’t enough. To really mark the milestone, they dropped their own original track. For this, they teamed up with Mark Ronson (yes, that Mark Ronson — “Uptown Funk,” “Shallow,” you know the drill) and RAYE, one of the most exciting voices in music right now. And they also released a mini-documentary (“Syncing Sounds 150”) that shows the whole creative process and explains how a watch brand, a superstar producer, and a pop icon end up making music together.
So, why this duo? Why this song? It turns out that it all makes perfect sense.
At the core, music and watchmaking share the same DNA — both are about that sweet spot between tradition and innovation, precision and pure creative energy. Mark Ronson brings the cool, thoughtful vibe; RAYE brings the fire. Together, they capture the spirit of a Swiss watch: classic, but with a bold twist.
Mark Ronson and RAYE
And about the song itself? When RAYE threw out the name "Suzanne," Mark was immediately struck by it — it reminded him of someone important from his past. Only later, after the song was finished, did they realise “Suzanne” was also the name of a real-life person from the Audemars Piguet story: Suzanne Audemars, a family ancestor whose boldness helped shape the company’s future.
They dropped the new track at 180 Studios, right in the heart of London’s creative scene. RAYE performed live, Mark Ronson hit the DJ booth, and the whole night was a shoutout to the idea that music and watchmaking can totally be part of the same story. Honestly, who knew a watch brand’s birthday party could turn into one of the coolest gigs in town?
For Audemars Piguet, this isn’t their first time mixing watches and music. They’ve actually been working with musicians and sound experts for ages (fun fact: back in 2006, they spent eight years figuring out how to make their chiming watches sound cooler).
So, it’s not just about watches for AP. As their CEO, Ilaria Resta, puts it, bringing together Mark Ronson and RAYE for a birthday track is their way of pushing creativity and supporting new talent.
It is just another example of how they keep things fresh and interesting. Even after 150 years.
And it works.
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