Continuing with their recent collaborations and their involvement with artists and celebrities, Audemars Piguet presents a new watch in collaboration with the artist KAWS. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS reference 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01 reinforces Audemars Piguet’s curiosity and ongoing dialogue with the cultural world. KAWS’ work paved the way for his cast of characters, including ‘Companion’, which have served as experimental platforms to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of shape, material, and size.
Designed in collaboration with KAWS, this 250-piece limited edition timepiece is made entirely of titanium and has a miniature ‘Companion’ at its heart. The peripheral time display offers an unobstructed view of this cartoon-like character in shades of grey.
“As part of this collaboration, we have pushed our limits in terms of watchmaking technology to create a spectacular setting with the character at the center, surrounded by a brand-new hour and minute display system housed in the periphery of the movement.” Lucas Raggi, Research and Development Director, Audemars Piguet
Fully crafted in titanium, the timepiece is imbued with the aesthetic DNA of the New York-based artist, who has placed a miniature ‘Companion’ at the very heart of the watch, and features an innovative peripheral time display. The 43 mm Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon ‘Companion’ incorporates KAWS’ aesthetic on both sides of the watch. In a nod to KAWS’ dissected series, the chest of the ‘Companion’ reveals its beating heart, the watch’s tourbillon. The watch has a thickness of 17.4 mm and is water-resistant to 100 meters.
The miniature 3D character is entirely made of titanium and is mounted on a titanium dial plate decorated with a sunburst motif. Its alternating satin-brushed and sandblasted finishes add texture and depth while accentuating its rounded silhouette. Additionally, the center of the hex-screws on the bezel doesn’t have a flat-head screwdriver shape but instead, they have been reshaped to have the eyes of the KAWS ‘Companion’.
To ensure an unobstructed view of the miniature ‘Companion’ on the dial side, time has been pushed to the side by using a peripheral time display that offers new aesthetic possibilities for both movement and dial designs. The hour and minute hands rotate around the periphery of the movement and dial, thanks to two visible, superimposed gear wheels driven by pinions and guided by rollers.
The new limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS is powered by the new manual wound peripheral hour and minute movement, the AP calibre 2979, which gives pride of place to the tourbillon on the dial side at 6 o’clock. This delicate, high-end complication reduces the effects of gravity on the watch’s accuracy. This new 39-jewel manual wound movement is composed of 326 parts and provides a power reserve of 72 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph.
The watch is delivered on a light grey textured calfskin strap with a titanium AP folding clasp and interchangeable strap system and is accompanied by an additional dark gray calfskin strap.
Additionally, on the occasion of KAWS:HOLIDAY Le Brassus, KAWS has created a limited-edition, 18-inch tall —approx 40 centimeters tall— walnut sculpture of COMPANION, sitting atop the iconic Audemars Piguet’s headquarters building in Le Brassus. A symbol of the artist's and the Manufacture's commitment to meticulous craftsmanship. The sculpture is named ‘Time Together’ and is sold separately in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS is exclusively sold at Audemars Piguet boutiques worldwide and only 250 pieces will be made.
Sticker Price Upon Request —probably close to USD 225K at the very least. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
