This year at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Audemars Piguet took things off the beaten track. As part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, the third edition of Audemars Piguet Parallel transformed a disused thermal power plant in Vouvry into a full-blown sonic dream. Nearly 1,000 guests were invited to an exclusive, last-minute location reveal, where Alex Wann, Chloé Caillet, and the legendary Peggy Gou lit up the decks in a night that pulsed with emotion, innovation, and serious voltage. More than a party, it was a statement of how haute horlogerie can intersect with music, creativity, and raw energy in the most unexpected places. Leave it to AP to prove that precision and rhythm are, in fact, a perfect match.
This week, KHAMSA takes you on a different kind of journey for this travel guide. We reached out to Sarah Hardan (@sarahardan on Instagram) & Saad Naamani (@saadnaamani on Instagram) to tell us all about their exclusive AP experience at Montreux Jazz Festival.
Sarah and Saad are a dynamic, multi-hyphenate duo and accomplished DJs known for their rich and distinctive musical style. Splitting their time between Dubai and Ibiza, they seamlessly blend their backgrounds in music, communications, and events to craft experiences that are both grounded and transportive.
Through their shared love for music, we explore Sarah and Saad’s journey with Audemars Piguet at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the AP Parallel experience — a journey that began in Le Brassus, offering deeper insight into the brands origins, and travelling to Montreux to celebrate Audemars Piguet’s longstanding connection to music.
١. Audemars Piguet Manufacture and Musée Atelier in Le Brassus
“Right in the heart of the Vallée de Joux, a region known as the birthplace of Swiss haute horlogerie. Entering the historic headquarters of AP, founded in 1875”.
Before going to Montreux, we loved exploring the world of Audemars Piguet closely and discovering the history of the families and how they started 150 years ago. We were very impressed by the artistry and craftsmanship of watchmaking. It was the first time we experience such a thing up close and personal. It gave us a whole other perspective and appreciation for this world and for AP in specific.
I loved trying on my favorite AP , the Royal Oak Mini in Frosted yellow gold.
We also had a moment to explore and understand the relationship of Audemars Piguet with Music which is rooted in both craft and culture. From the melodic complexity of their minute repeaters to their partnerships with artists like Mark Ronson, and history with iconic figures like Quincy Jones the brand treats sound as both science and emotion which is not a combo you see every day.
Through initiatives like the APxMusic series and immersive sound-driven experiences, AP explores the intersection of time, rhythm, and creativity, celebrating music as their natural extension.
PS: Claude Nobes Chalet is not open to the public.
٢. Where To Stay: Fairmont Palace Montreux Hotel
“The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is more than just a hotel to stay in during the Montreux Jazz Festival, it’s actually part of the whole experience”.
It’s located on the edge of the lake and just a few minutes’ walk from the main festival venues, the Fairmont offers fast access to the heart of the festival action while also providing a comfortable room for when we needed to rest and reset.
“The balcony overviews of the lake and the Alps, with music sometimes resonating across the water from the nearby stages”.
It’s a beautiful mix of old-style Belle Époque palace interiors and festival energy. The sunny lake, and the sound of jazz from the festival really makes it an iconic home base for the whole Montreux experience!
٣. AP VIP Lounge at Montreux Jazz Festival.
One of my favorite spaces at Montreux was the Audemars Piguet Lounge, located above the lake with a beautiful view.
The design was so thoughtfully done: wood-paneled walls, curated vinyls lining the shelves, and soft warm lighting that made it feel more like a hidden hi-fi bar than a brand activation.
Out on the lounge balcony, was a live food station, and a DJ playing laid-back sets, with a breathtaking view. It felt intimate, cozy, and cool in an understated way.
٤. Audemars Piguet Parallel Experience
Wow. What A RAVE!
Never seen a chicest rawest RAVE. The Audemars Piguet Parellel Experience was definitely a highlight for us, we were not aware of the location, once we arrived we entered a massive thermal power plant. “L’Usine de Chavalon” located in Vouvry, which closed in 1999, and reopened exclusively for Audemars Piguet after 30 years of complete silence.
The production, was immaculate, we had a beautiful sonic voyage by Alex Wann, our friend Chloé Caillet and Peggy Gou. Truly a night to remember. This exclusive rave has limited spots available for the public, making the experience even more surreal and intimate.
٥. Montreux Jazz Festival & Concerts
What we loved is the authenticity of the festival and how it felt truly alive, you walk along the water and the streets are buzzing: food trucks, people dancing, little moments of magic everywhere.
And at night our favorite live concert was Hermanos Gutierrez, they were on our “TO WATCH” bucket list and truly transported us on a journey. It was a multi-sensory experience as their show was set against the lake with the boats and sunset being their backdrop.
Another amazing part was roaming around late at night and entering different stages that had different musical experiences, the grooviest was Dante’s HIFI, they had a pop-up at the festival, we definitely danced a lot there.
