Audemars Piguet joins hands with artist Kaws to drop the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion
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Limited to 250 pieces, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion fuses high watchmaking with pop art by American artist Brian Donnelly, better known by his pseudonym Kaws.
PHOTO: AUDEMARS PIGUET
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SINGAPORE – Audemars Piguet has teamed up with contemporary American artist Brian Donnelly – better known by his pseudonym Kaws – to create the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion, a 43mm titanium horological knockout which groovily fuses high watchmaking and pop art.
Limited to 250 pieces, the watch’s star is Kaws’ iconic Companion character, reimagined in miniature form and integrated into the dial beneath a sapphire crystal.
The cartoonish figure, complete with its signature X-shaped eyes and dissected chest, is surrounded by a peripheral time display that breaks conventions by shifting the traditional hour and minute hands to the outer edge.
The Companion, with its cut-up chest revealing an intricate tourbillon, flaunts alternating finishes for a striking play of light and texture. Luminous accents add flair and a playful glow in the dark.
Likewise, the case features contrasting textures and incorporates Kaws’ signature X motif on the bezel screws and satin-brushed sapphire caseback.
Powering the Companion is Audemars Piguet’s Calibre 2979, a hand-wound movement with black-PVD titanium bridges echoing the padded designs often seen in Kaws’ artwork, adding another layer of detail.
Paired with a dark-grey calfskin strap inspired by textile patterns, the watch artfully redefines horological norms with its marriage of whimsy and innovation.
Price: 200,000 Swiss francs (S$303,000 excluding taxes)
