Introducing Audemars Piguet in Collaboration with Kaws Unveils the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion

Audemars Piguet has long been dedicated to creating unique and exclusive timepieces, often offering special editions with distinctive designs. This is especially true in their collaborations with renowned artists, such as the “Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer” designed in partnership with John Mayer, which is considered one of the notable releases in the brand's collection.

Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS, is a prominent name. KAWS is celebrated for his creative, graffiti-inspired designs featuring cartoon-like characters, which have become central to his artistic identity. His collaborations with major global brands are well-known, and one of the most recent and significant is his partnership with Audemars Piguet. Now, they introduced the Audemars Piguet x KAWS Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion”, a limited-edition timepiece inspired by Companion character, blending contemporary art with fine watchmaking.

The watch comes in a 43mm titanium case with a combination of brushed and sandblasted finishes, offering a refined look. The octagonal bezel, a hallmark of the Royal Oak design, is secured by 8 screws that are uniquely shaped in an "X" pattern, inspired by the eyes of KAWS' Companion character, giving the watch a distinctive artistic touch. The case is 17.4mm thick and is paired with a black ceramic screw-down crown, marked with the brand's logo and protected by crown guards at the top and bottom, ensuring 100 metres of water resistance. The watch also boasts a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating for enhanced visibility, while the sapphire case back, surrounded by a titanium bezel secured by 8 screws, offers a view of some parts of the movement inside.

The dial features an openworked design with a miniature 3D titanium "Companion" character from KWAS, intricately positioned beneath a sapphire crystal. The Companion's skull-shaped head, with X-shaped eyes filled with grey lacquer, contrasts against the sunburst-brushed titanium dial plate, adding depth and texture. The titanium hands, designed in a peripheral style, are coated with luminescent material that glows blue in the dark, as do the five-minute graduations on the inner bezel, driving the movement’s hour and minute hands. The dial also features a tourbillon at 6 o'clock, which is crafted of grey titanium.

The watch is powered by the Audemars Piguet Calibre 2979, an in-house, manually-wound movement featuring a 60-second tourbillon and peripheral hours and minutes. Operating at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz), and a 72-hour power reserve. With 326 components, the movement is finished with black PVD-treated titanium bridges. The skeletonized architecture incorporates ratchet wheel Kaws X shaped, and the Audemars Piguet logo, along with other engravings, is highlighted in white lacquer for a sharp visual contrast.

It comes with a light grey textured calfskin strap and a dark grey calfskin strap, both featuring a titanium AP folding clasp. This watch is a limited edition of 250 pieces, and the price is still upon request..

For more information, you can visit Audemars Piguet’s official website.