Luxury meets imagination in the latest collaboration between Audemars Piguet (Instagram) and the renowned artist KAWS (Instagram). The Swiss watchmaker, celebrated for its ground breaking Royal Oak designs, has unveiled a daring new timepiece: The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION. Limited to just 250 pieces, this titanium marvel is both a masterpiece of haute horlogerie and a creative exploration of art, culture, and craftsmanship. At its core lies KAWS’ iconic COMPANION character, reimagined in miniature to disrupt and humanize the traditions of fine watchmaking.
Audemars Piguet has a history of breaking boundaries, blending the precision of Swiss horology with cultural creativity. In this collaboration, the watchmaker partnered with KAWS, an artist famed for his graffiti roots and global pop-art influence. Known for his endearing yet unsettling COMPANION character, KAWS’ work evokes both nostalgia and introspection, qualities that now redefine Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Concept collection.
The 43mm titanium watch introduces a futuristic peripheral time display, ensuring KAWS’ miniature COMPANION takes centre stage. By “putting time to the side,” this design celebrates the power of imagination and invites collectors to view haute horlogerie through a new lens.
Central to this creation is a three-dimensional titanium sculpture of KAWS’ COMPANION, nestled under the sapphire crystal. This miniature artwork captures the character’s iconic skull-shaped head, X-shaped eyes, and crossbones, all meticulously crafted with contrasting textures and shades of grey. The COMPANION’s chest reveals the watch’s tourbillon—a mesmerizing complication that blends art and mechanics.
From KAWS’ signature dissected series to the playful X motifs adorning the caseback screws, every detail of this watch is imbued with the artist’s aesthetic. It’s a nod to the boundary-pushing spirit that unites KAWS and Audemars Piguet.
To give the COMPANION uninterrupted prominence, Audemars Piguet developed a cutting-edge peripheral time display. The hour and minute hands rotate around the edges of the movement and dial, powered by intricate gear wheels visible through the sapphire crystal. Even in low light, the hands and markers glow with a soft blue luminescence, a futuristic touch that complements the watch’s bold design.
“As part of this collaboration, we have pushed our limits in terms of watchmaking technology to create a spectacular setting with the character at the centre, surrounded by a brand-new hour and minute display system housed in the periphery of the movement,” said Lucas Raggi, Research and Development Director, Audemars Piguet
The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION” is more than a watch—it’s a tactile and visual experience. Its titanium case features sandblasted, satin-brushed, and polished finishes, echoing the textures of KAWS’ artwork. The matching calfskin leather straps, equipped with an easy-change system, add versatility to this collectible masterpiece.
Inside, the watch is powered by the hand-wound peripheral hour and minute movement Calibre 2979, a state-of-the-art movement showcasing black-PVD titanium bridges and laser-engraved details. The precision and artistry of the movement reflect over a century of Audemars Piguet’s watchmaking excellence, now with a playful twist.
With only 250 pieces available, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon COMPANION is a celebration of bold ideas and meticulous craftsmanship. It challenges the norms of luxury watchmaking, transforming timekeeping into an interactive canvas for art and innovation.
As KAWS himself expressed, “It has been an incredible experience working with Audemars Piguet. The artisans are truly exceptional, and I’m honoured to contribute to their legacy of excellence.”
This watch is at once a status symbol and a wearable reminder to think differently, explore creativity, and embrace the unexpected.
For more stories of the world’s finest watches, visit our dedicated archives.
