Audemars Piguet, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker known for its technical innovation and craftsmanship, has partnered with the acclaimed New York-based artist KAWS for an extraordinary collaboration. The result is the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION,” a limited-edition timepiece that combines the artistry of KAWS’ signature COMPANION character with the precision of Audemars Piguet’s watchmaking.
The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION” takes high-end watchmaking and gives it an artistic twist, thanks to KAWS’ iconic COMPANION figure sitting proudly at its center. Crafted in titanium and paired with an innovative peripheral time display, this limited-edition watch redefines how we look at time and art. It’s the perfect mix of Swiss precision and street art, making your wrist the most stylish place to tell time.
The heart of the Audemars Piguet x KAWS creation is also essentially a work of art. The miniature COMPANION, KAWS’ beloved character, is positioned on the dial plate. The minuscule figure made entirely out of titanium reveals a “beating heart” in the form of a tourbillon. It’s a nod to KAWS’ iconic Dissected series, where form meets function in the most unexpected way. Meanwhile, the dial itself, also titanium, features a gorgeous sunburst motif with alternating finishes that add texture and depth to the overall design, emphasizing the rounded silhouette of the COMPANION figure.
And here’s where things get really interesting. In a bold move, Audemars Piguet has quite literally pushed time to the side. The hour and minute hands aren’t in their usual central position but instead, rotate around the outer edge of the dial in a peripheral display. This shift is made possible by two superimposed gear wheels, driven by pinions and guided by rollers. It’s a smart aesthetic move that clears the way for the miniature COMPANION to shine while still allowing the watch to keep accurate time with the help of a state-of-the-art movement.
Speaking of movement, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION” is powered by the new Calibre 2979, a hand-wound, peripheral hour and minute movement that places the tourbillon front and center at 6 o’clock. The tourbillon, a high-end complication, works to reduce gravity’s impact on the watch’s accuracy, keeping this cutting-edge timepiece running with precision.
Limited to just 100 pieces, this watch is a collector’s dream. And if you’re looking to add a KAWS touch to your home, you’re in luck. To coincide with the launch, KAWS has also designed a limited-edition walnut sculpture of COMPANION, standing 18 inches tall, which will be perched atop Audemars Piguet’s iconic headquarters in Le Brassus. It’s a symbol of the meticulous craftsmanship shared by both the artist and the watchmaker.
So, if you’re one of the lucky few to snag this limited edition, you’re not just wearing a watch. You’re wearing a moment in time where art, culture, and horology collide. And when you look at it, you’ll be reminded that time, just like art, is never static.
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