In celebration of its 150th anniversary, Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet unveiled a powerful musical tribute in London: an original track titled “Suzanne”, created in collaboration with globally acclaimed producer Mark Ronsonand rising British music icon RAYE. This artistic venture blends horology and music in a celebration of legacy, creativity, and shared values. Unveiled at the iconic 180 Studios, the track was the highlight of an immersive event attended by artists, watch aficionados, and close friends of the brand.
The song “Suzanne” is more than a melody—it’s a tribute to heritage, inspired by the unexpected historical resonance of its title. The name, first proposed by RAYE, was later discovered to coincide with Suzanne Audemars, a key ancestral figure in the founding of the Manufacture. The emotional synchronicity sealed the song’s title and deepened the narrative, adding poetic weight to the duo’s collaborative journey. This origin story is further brought to life in Syncing Sounds 150, a behind-the-scenes film that reveals the creative synergy between Ronson and RAYE.
A true master of sonic alchemy, Mark Ronson praised the authenticity of their collaboration, describing the experience as an alignment of timing, energy, and creative intuition. Known for his introspective yet precise sound, Ronson’s aesthetic perfectly counterbalanced RAYE’s expressive vocals and genre-defying flair. From late-night studio sessions in London to jam-packed writing marathons across New York and LA, their joint process was as emotionally rich as it was musically dynamic.
For RAYE, who joined the Audemars Piguet family for the first time, the experience felt like destiny. Fresh off her record-breaking wins at the 2024 BRIT Awards, including Best Artist and Songwriter of the Year, the classically trained musician embraced the opportunity to connect her deeply personal artistic vision with the storied legacy of AP. Her vocals on “Suzanne” radiate a rare vulnerability, capturing the emotion and narrative arc of the track in a way that resonates far beyond the watch world.
The launch event mirrored this same spirit of intimate innovation. Guests were led through a transformed version of AP’s home in Le Brassus—complete with alpine vistas and secret speakeasies—culminating in a surprise live performance by RAYE, followed by Ronson himself taking over the decks. It was more than a product reveal—it was a soulful celebration of creativity and craft, curated in true APxMusic fashion.
Audemars Piguet’s dedication to music is far from new. The brand’s engagement with sound began in 2006 through academic research into acoustic timepieces, later expanding into cultural preservation via its partnership with the Montreux Jazz Festival. The launch of APxMusic in 2019 formalised its artistic ambitions, with global collaborations ranging from DJ collectives like Keinemusik to soul artists like Lucky Daye. With each project, the brand reaffirms that horology, like music, is at its best when driven by emotion, expression, and a fearless embrace of the new.
As “Suzanne” finds its audience, the track stands as both a celebration of the past and a declaration of the future. At the intersection of sound and time, it exemplifies the magic that happens when worlds—watchmaking and music, legacy and innovation—collide. Through artists like Ronson and RAYE, Audemars Piguet continues to expand its cultural footprint, reminding us all that time is not just measured, but felt.
The collaboration also underscores Audemars Piguet’s ongoing commitment to crafting experiences that reach far beyond traditional luxury. By aligning with musical talents who mirror the brand’s values—dedication to craft, bold individuality, and deep emotional resonance—AP continues to evolve its identity with each generation. “Suzanne” is not just a song; it’s a statement of how heritage can inspire new creation, and how music, like watchmaking, is built on rhythm, precision, and feeling.
Looking ahead, RAYE’s entry into the AP family hints at more boundary-pushing collaborations to come. Her multicultural perspective, classical training, and fearless storytelling represent the next generation of creative visionaries Audemars Piguet seeks to champion. In bridging horology with human connection, the brand isn’t just marking 150 years—it’s laying the foundation for the next chapter in luxury storytelling, one that listens as deeply as it ticks.
