Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet has ignited a new era of creativity by joining forces with the visionary American designer Matthew Williams, founder of the esteemed brand 1017 ALYX 9SM. This groundbreaking collaboration has birthed a collection that marries the timeless elegance of Audemars Piguet with Williams’ avant-garde design sensibilities. The result is a series of exquisite timepieces that bridge the worlds of urban fashion and Haute Horlogerie.
Four new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references, along with a unique Royal Oak piece, stand as the testament to Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams’ shared vision. This collection, deeply rooted in a minimalist aesthetic, presents watches ranging from 37 to 42 mm, ensuring a perfect fit for every wrist. The collaboration’s central goal was to provide urban fashion enthusiasts with a means to express their individuality through resolutely modern timepieces.
Matthew Williams, known for his penchant for innovative and high-quality materials, mirrors Audemars Piguet’s dedication to precision and craft mastery. Both brands adhere to a holistic sustainable approach, which adds depth to the collaboration beyond just aesthetics. Williams perceives watches as an extension of one’s identity, and this philosophy played a pivotal role in shaping the collection’s design.
The heart of the collection rests in the four references, available in 18-carat yellow or white gold, and encompassing both Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore models. Remarkably, these designs were simultaneously developed for both collections, a first for the brand. The dials are stripped down to their essence, with the Royal Oak models eliminating hour markers and date apertures to emphasize the gold dials’ vertical satin-finishing. This masterful touch brings forth monochrome timepieces that seamlessly blend sophisticated aesthetics with advanced watchmaking techniques.
The 18-carat yellow gold 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding reference beckons with luminescent yellow-gold hands, tastefully adorned with the “Audemars Piguet” and “1017 ALYX 9SM” signatures. Its counterpart is a selfwinding chronograph, a 41 mm masterpiece that redefines minimalism by eschewing chronograph counters, leaving only rotating hands at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. These limited series Royal Oak references set a new standard in understated luxury.
Remaining true to the minimalist ethos, the two Royal Oak Offshore models stand as paragons of simplicity, retaining only essential elements on their dials. The date aperture at 3 o’clock, alongside the iconic AP monogram, persists as the sole embellishment. Strikingly, even the chronograph counters at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock have been elegantly removed, leaving the hands as the focus. These 42 mm limited editions, available in 18-carat white or yellow gold, radiate an aura of subtle refinement.
Each reference houses a unique latest-generation movement, a testament to Audemars Piguet’s commitment to horological innovation. From the slim Calibre 5909 powering the 37 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model to the column wheel-equipped Calibre 4409 that propels the 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph, each movement exemplifies precision and artistry.
In a gesture that speaks to both brands’ commitment to community, the collaboration extends its impact beyond aesthetics. The unique Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph piece, featuring a two-tone case and bracelet, will be auctioned during the launch party. The proceeds will support play-based learning initiatives benefiting disadvantaged children, under the auspices of NGOs Kids in Motion and Right to Play. This embodies the shared values of Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams in uplifting the next generation.
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