Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion

Quick specs Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion
Price: approx. $ 226,000 | approx. € 215.000 | approx. £ 179,000 | CHF 200’000 (all excluding taxes)
Size: 43 mm
Reference: 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01 – limited to 250 pieces

Audemars Piguet presents the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion”, a 43-millimeter titanium piece of art. This limited edition watch, created in collaboration with artist KAWS, highlights innovative watchmaking and the interplay between art and horology. With its unique design, the watch brings a fresh perspective to haute horology. As long as you like what’s depicted of course.

The Royal Oak Concept series is a platform for Audemars Piguet to experiment with futuristic designs and cutting-edge mechanics. Since its introduction in 2002, the collection has redefined traditional watchmaking, offering avant-garde aesthetics and bold engineering. Check this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie for instance. Or this cartoon-style Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Spider-Man.

A Cultural Legacy Meets Fine Watchmaking

The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” stems from Audemars Piguet’s collaboration with KAWS, a contemporary artist known for his distinctive characters and reinterpretations of pop culture. KAWS’ journey began in 1990s New York as a graffiti artist, later gaining global recognition for his cartoon-inspired characters.

The Companion figure, a signature element of his work, takes center stage in this watch, symbolizing the convergence of artistic expression and fine craftsmanship. Here combined with a tourbillon.

Design Details and Key Specifications

This Companion Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon features a 43-millimeter titanium case with a multifaceted finish, alternating between satin-brushed, sandblasted, and polished textures. The titanium dial plate showcases a miniature 3D Companion figure in contrasting grey shades. The character’s X-shaped eyes and chest reveal the tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

The hour and minute hands are positioned peripherally to give prominence to the central character. These titanium hands are luminescent, glowing blue in low light. A unique gear system enables the hands to move around the edge of the dial, guided by rollers and pinions.

Movement Behind the Innovation

The watch houses Audemars Piguet’s caliber 2979, a hand-wound movement designed for peripheral timekeeping. This mechanism ensures a clear view of the tourbillon and the artistic centerpiece. The movement provides a 72-hour power reserve, allowing for reliable operation over three days.

The black-PVD-coated titanium bridges are inspired by KAWS’ designs, incorporating elements like the artist’s signature X motif. This modern aesthetic merges technical precision with visual storytelling, underscoring the artistry of haute horology.

A Closer Look at the Strap and Craftsmanship

The strap of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” is made of dark grey calfskin leather with a textile effect. It features a titanium triple-blade folding clasp for secure fastening. A second interchangeable strap in slate grey calfskin leather adds versatility.

The strap-changing mechanism is user-friendly, enabling wearers to swap styles quickly. The attention to material and craftsmanship enhances the overall experience of wearing the watch.

Pricing of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion retails exclusively at AP boutiques for 200,000 Swiss francs, excluding taxes. Which is over 200k for the US and in euros, and about 180k in British pounds. Also excluding taxes.

Despite the price it will be a collector’s item, and surely show up at auctions in about 5 to 10 years after being sold out.