In the world of haute horlogerie, where tradition reigns supreme, Audemars Piguet has a habit of defying convention. Its latest act of defiance? The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion”, a limited-edition collaboration with Kaws. Crafted entirely from titanium, this 250-piece masterpiece injects a dose of street art swagger into luxury timekeeping.
This is not Audemars Piguet’s first foray into the cultural zeitgeist. The brand has consistently engaged with art and pop culture, with collaborations ranging from Art Basel to Marvel. But teaming up with Kaws marks a shift into more subversive territory.
Kaws, born Brian Donnelly, first made waves in the 1990s by hijacking public spaces with his signature cartoonish figures, blending street art with gallery culture. His iconic character, Companion, has evolved from vinyl toys to monumental sculptures. Now, a new canvas has been found in the form of a watch dial—perhaps its most intricate home yet.
“It has been an incredible experience working with Audemars Piguet over the past two years bringing this project to fruition. I find watchmaking fascinating, and the artisans at Audemars Piguet are exceptional in their craft. I am honoured to have my watch included in the company’s catalogue, which spans over a hundred years of watchmaking excellence.”
Brian Donnelly aka Kaws
Peering out from under a sapphire crystal, the miniature Companion on this Royal Oak Concept seems almost life-like, pressing its hands against the glass as if curiously inspecting the world outside. Its sandblasted titanium body, with a skull-like head and X-shaped eyes highlighted in grey lacquer, leans into Kaws’ trademark mix of the eerie and the endearing. True to his Dissected series, the character’s chest reveals the watch’s mechanical heart: a tourbillon.
Assembling the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion”
Audemars Piguet didn’t stop at playful aesthetics; it rethought the mechanics too, opting for a peripheral time display that shifts the spotlight to Kaws’ creation. Luminous hour and minute hands orbit the edge of the dial, driven by a set of visible gear wheels and rollers, while discreet, glowing five-minute markers on the titanium bezel keep time legible.
The titanium case combines sandblasted and satin-brushed finishes that echo the textured appeal of its companion on the dial. Architectural inserts and eight hexagonal screws, each marked with Kaws’ signature X, amplify its edgy aesthetic. Through the sapphire caseback, the calibre 2979 boasts playful nods to Kaws’ universe, including padded black-PVD titanium bridges inspired by the characters and a ratchet wheel proudly slashed with his iconic X motif.
