Quattro's original post meticulously introduces the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Ref. 26643TI.OO.D002CA.01, a collaboration with fashion designers Yoon Ahn and Verbal. This article delves into the design philosophy, technical specifications, and unique aesthetic elements of this limited-edition timepiece, offering a comprehensive look at AP's avant-garde approach. It's a crucial read for understanding how luxury watchmaking intersects with contemporary fashion and design.
Audemars Piguet recently released a
new version of the
Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon: Ref.
26643TI.OO.D002CA.01.
credit: HodinkeeIt was designed in
collaboration with
Yoon Ahn (right) &
Verbal (right):
- Yoon Ahn is an American fashion designer and businesswoman, best known as the co‑founder and creative director of AMBUSH and as the former jewelry design director for Dior Men (2018–2022). She studied graphic design at Boston University, later moved to Tokyo, and rose to prominence through bold, pop‑art‑influenced jewelry and collaborations with major figures like Kanye West, Virgil Abloh, and Kim Jones.
- Verbal (Ryu Yeong‑gi) is a Japanese-Korean hip‑hop artist, producer, and fashion figure, known for his work with the group m‑flo and for co‑founding AMBUSH with Yoon Ahn. He studied philosophy and marketing at Boston University, debuted in the music industry in 1998, and became a key bridge between hip‑hop culture and high fashion.
credit: highsnobiety
The titanium case measures 38.5 x 11.4 mm and, according to Audemars Piguet, the watch was designed by prioritizing “purpose over excess, essence over noise, and [with] a deliberate emphasis on focus and intent.”
credit: @ezylifedxb
The vivid
red aluminium flying tourbillon stands out against the
openworked black aventurine dial which is complemented by
blackened 18-carat white gold
hands filled with
grey luminescent material and a
black inner bezel.
The watch features an
interchangeable black rubber strap with “
micro-mosaic”
pattern and quilted inner imprint, fitted with a
titanium AP folding clasp.
It comes with an
additional red rubber strap with “micro-mosaic” pattern and a matching grey variation is available on demand.
Developed specifically for this collaborative limited edition, Calibre 2982 builds on the technical advancements of Calibre 2964 – the Manufacture’s hand-wound flying tourbillon movement that brings together tradition and modernity.
credit: Hodinkee
Crafted to showcase the regulating organ in full view, the new variation conserves its predecessor’s high-tech architecture.
Its aluminium tourbillon cage, framed by red bridges, adds a bold visual signature while enhancing precision.
credit: Audemars Piguet
In
addition to the
Limited Edition model, of which
150 pieces will be made,
two unique pieces were created respectively for
Yoon and
Verbal.
They feature an openwork
dial made of
brushed aluminium (?)
instead of
black aventurine.
The
movement has a
silver finish instead of the
black coating of the Limited Edition.
Below is a
double wrist shot of
Verbal showing his
new piece unique alongside the
Concept Watch 1 (CW1), with its case made of
alacrite 602 (a cobalt-based alloy), a watch of which he was a
long time owner.
credit: @yoon_ambush & @verbal_ambush
And here's
Verbal proudly
showing his new
piece unique.
credit: highsnobiety
Some
drawings and
samples of the
rubber strap with “
micro-mosaic” pattern during the
creation process.
credit: @yoon_ambush & @verbal_ambush
The new
Limited Edition on the
wrist of
new owners...
credit: @tamara
credit: highsnobiety
... and on the
wrist of
Ilaria Resta,
CEO of
Audemars Piguet!
credit: highsnobiety
The
red presentation box.
credit: @yoon_ambush
A
new owner known as @ceramicwatch
unboxing his
watch.
credit: @creamicwatch
And, to
conclude this post, some of the
promotional artistic images.
credit: Audemars Piguet
So, what do you think about this new Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon?
Do you consider it a pure hype product, or do you find it interesting?
Personally, the Royal Oak Concept has never been my favorite Audemars Piguet line, and I don't find this new limited edition particularly compelling.
But it's not bad either, and it seems consistent with what I believe to be Audemars Piguet's objective: to be simultaneously a high-end watchmaking brand, a fashion brand (through collaboration with figures in the fashion world), and a popular brand (the recent collaboration with Swatch).
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
