KAWS Brings His Signature Fashion to Audemars Piguet

December 5, 2024

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In a shocking collaboration that bridges the hole between high-end watchmaking and modern artwork, famend Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has partnered with iconic artist KAWS.

This extraordinary collaboration has created a timepiece that reimagines conventional watchmaking, mixing it with KAWS’s signature aesthetic. The result’s the Royal Oak Idea Tourbillon “Companion,” a hanging creation from Audemars Piguet, launched as a restricted version of simply 250 items.

Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion. Image source: Audemars Piguet — Royal Oak Idea Tourbillon Companion Picture supply Audemars Piguet

Impressed By KAWS’ Aesthetics

The brand new 43 mm Royal Oak Idea Tourbillon, crafted in titanium, is a limited-edition masterpiece that embodies the inventive essence of KAWS. At its core, a miniature COMPANION determine brings his iconic aesthetic to life, complemented by an revolutionary peripheral time show that redefines the watch’s design language.

Image source: Audemars Piguet — Picture supply Audemars Piguet

In a nod to KAWS’ dissected collection, the chest of the COMPANION reveals its beating coronary heart, the watch’s tourbillon. The miniature 3D character is fully fabricated from titanium and is mounted on the titanium dial plate embellished with a sunburst motif. Its alternating satin-brushed and sandblasted finishes add texture and depth whereas accentuating its rounded silhouette.

Pushing Time To The Aspect

The watch incorporates a groundbreaking peripheral time show to showcase the miniature COMPANION on the dial with out obstruction. This revolutionary design opens up new aesthetic prospects for each the motion and dial. The hour and minute fingers glide across the outer fringe of the motion and dial, powered by two seen, superimposed gear wheels. These are pushed by pinions and guided by rollers, making a seamless and dynamic timekeeping expertise.

A Newest-Era Tourbillon Motion

This restricted version is powered by the brand new hand-wound peripheral hour and minute motion, Calibre 2979, which provides pleasure of place to the tourbillon on the dial facet at 6 o’clock. This delicate, high-end complication reduces the results of gravity on the watch’s accuracy.

KAWS x AP: Bringing Collectively Tradition and Creativity

Lucas Raggi, Analysis and Improvement Director of Audemars Piguet, mentioned, “As a part of this collaboration, we’ve pushed our limits by way of watchmaking expertise to create a spectacular setting with the character on the centre, surrounded by a brand-new hour and minute show system housed within the periphery of the motion.”

Esquire commented that the collaboration between luxurious and modern artwork is a pure match, particularly since excessive vogue and avenue type merged a decade in the past. This cultural shift introduced iconic characters from underground tradition into the mainstream vogue world. Excessive-end watchmaking quickly adopted swimsuit, embracing this new period of artistic collaboration.

KAWS: From Graffiti to World Icon

KAWS was captured wearing the the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Companion. Image source: Audemars Piguet/KAWS — KAWS was captured sporting the the Royal Oak Idea Tourbillon Companion Picture supply Audemars PiguetKAWS

Brian Donnelly, higher often known as KAWS, is a famend modern artist and designer. His journey started as a graffiti artist in New Jersey, the place he initially signed his work with the letters Okay, A, W, and S, a easy selection based mostly on private desire.

KAWS’s distinctive type seamlessly blends pop artwork and tradition, usually blurring the strains between artwork and product design. He has garnered important acclaim by means of collaborations with numerous manufacturers, from high-end vogue homes like Dior to extra inexpensive retailers like Uniqlo and partnerships with iconic manufacturers like Air Jordan and BAPE.

Audemars Piguet: Masterpiece of Time

Audemars Piguet (AP) watches have lengthy been recognised as an emblem of status and luxurious. The model’s dedication to distinctive craftsmanship, revolutionary design, and unique restricted editions has solidified its place as one of many most coveted watchmakers on the earth.

Based in 1875, the model has been on the forefront of watchmaking for over a century. This long-standing legacy, mixed with a popularity for pushing the boundaries of horological innovation, has instilled a way of exclusivity and desirability in AP timepieces.

AP’s limited-edition fashions additional improve its status. These uncommon and extremely sought-after timepieces, usually that includes distinctive designs and issues, cater to a choose group of collectors and connoisseurs. The exclusivity and restricted availability of those fashions drive demand and improve their worth on the secondary market.