Audemars Piguet unveiled the "Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon," a collaboration model with YOON & VERBAL, creators active in a wide range of fields including fashion, music, and design. This timepiece combines a 38.5mm diameter titanium case with an openworked black aventurine dial and a striking red tourbillon, blending unique artistic expression with haute horlogerie.
The "Royal Oak Concept" embodies a new perspective that focuses on the essence of things.
Audemars Piguet has announced a new collaboration model with world-renowned creators YOON & VERBAL as part of its "Royal Oak Concept" series. Only 150 pieces will be released worldwide.
It comes with black and red rubber straps that can be changed without tools. Manual winding (Cal. 2982). 18 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Titanium case (38.5mm diameter, 11.4mm thickness). 2 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 150 pieces worldwide. Price upon inquiry.
The Royal Oak Concept is a series that has evolved as an experimental platform within the collection. While incorporating avant-garde designs, innovative materials, and complex mechanisms, it has also featured timepieces created in collaboration with renowned designers and creators.
This latest creation, which follows in that lineage, is based on a design concept shared by both creators: "Purpose, not excess; essence, not noise." Incidentally, the original Royal Oak Concept, which appeared to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak, holds special significance for VERBAL, a watch enthusiast. He says, "It's the watch that marks the beginning of my collection, and it's the most important watch to me, as it embodies the 'decisive moment' that I've been pursuing as a collector."
Based in Tokyo, these creative partners are active in a wide range of fields including fashion, music, and contemporary culture. YOON (right) works as a designer and creative director, while VERBAL (left) works as a music producer and cultural entrepreneur. The design studio "AMBUSH" that they founded has garnered international acclaim for its unique worldview that transcends genres.
The boldly openworked dial is crafted from black aventurine, which exhibits a deep, lustrous sheen. The openings are beveled with a mirror-polished finish, creating an architectural layout that naturally draws the eye to the movement's mechanism. The flying tourbillon, positioned at 6 o'clock, is paired with a red anodized aluminum carriage, adding an energetic touch to its operation.
VERBAL commented on the red color scheme, saying, "Red has always been a powerful color for us, and the tourbillon carriage, as the 'heart' of the watch, symbolizes the power that keeps everything moving. Red is reminiscent of the Earth's core. It is a color that reminds us of the starting point, the source of energy, and ultimately, the origin of how we measure 'time' itself."
The case, with its octagonal bezel, is powerfully accentuated by a combination of sandblasted, satin, and polished finishes. Furthermore, its compact 38.5mm diameter, combined with the lightness of the titanium material and the slightly curved case lines, results in excellent wearing comfort.
Inside, it houses the Cal.2982, a hand-wound movement specially developed for this model. It employs a multi-layered design with some of the mechanisms located on the dial side, allowing a glimpse of the mainspring barrel and gear train through the openwork on the dial. Furthermore, the transparent case back reveals a modern and industrial decoration combining micro-blasting, satin, and polished finishes.
In creating this timepiece, YOON said, "Creativity is something that is constantly in motion. People evolve, regenerate, and move forward. That's why the design of this limited edition model needed to be in harmony with that energy. What was important to me was 'balance.' I wanted to create something truly universal that everyone could relate to." She spoke of the philosophy of harmony that she put into the design.
