Audemars Piguet Meets Street Art: The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion"

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet has joined forces with renowned contemporary artist KAWS to create a timepiece that blurs the lines between haute horlogerie and pop art. The result is the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion," a limited edition of 250 pieces that showcases the brand's innovative spirit and KAWS' iconic artistic style.

The watch features KAWS' famous "Companion" character, seemingly pressing against the sapphire crystal of the 43mm titanium case. This three-dimensional sculpture is crafted from brushed and sandblasted titanium, creating a striking contrast against the sunburst-brushed titanium dial plate.

At the heart of the watch lies a flying tourbillon, visible through the Companion's chest, cleverly referencing KAWS' "Dissected" series. The timepiece is powered by the newly developed Calibre 2979, which incorporates a peripheral time display system. This innovative mechanism allows the hour and minute hands to circle around the Companion figure, glowing blue in the dark.

 

True to KAWS' signature style, the watch incorporates several artistic elements:

- The Companion's X-shaped eyes are filled with grey lacquer.
- The bezel screws feature KAWS' trademark X motif.
- The strap is made of light grey calfskin embossed with a textile effect, with an additional slate grey calfskin strap included.

This collaboration represents a significant moment in the luxury watch industry, bridging the gap between traditional Swiss watchmaking and contemporary street art. It reflects Audemars Piguet's ongoing dialogue with the cultural world and their willingness to push boundaries in both design and technology.

The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion" is limited to 250 pieces, making it a highly sought-after collector's item. It comes with a price tag of approximately 200,000 Swiss francs (£180,000), positioning it firmly in the ultra-luxury segment.

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