KAWS AND AUDEMARS PIGUET: A NEW TAKE ON HAUTE HORLOGERIE

Images courtesy of Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION” and “KAWS:HOLIDAY” Le Brassus in Switzerland

Audemars Piguet has collaborated with New York-based artist KAWS to explore new creative territories. The collaboration features KAWS’ iconic COMPANION and was unveiled at a special event in Switzerland. The collaboration, attended by 130 guests including Audemars Piguet’s CEO Ilaria Resta, Mark Ronson (Friend of the Brand) and other notable figures like Romeo Beckham, Rampa, J Balvin and Gstaad Guy and J Balvin, aims to challenge traditional perceptions of Haute Horlogerie and demonstrate the power of imagination in pushing boundaries.

Royal Oak CONCEPT TOURBILLON “COMPANION”

The 43 mm Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION” incorporates KAWS’ aesthetic on both sides of the watch. In a tribute to the artist’s early “ad intervention” work, KAWS’ COMPANION appears beneath the watch’s sapphire crystal, its face and hands seemingly touching the inner surface of the glass, curiously peering out to see what lies beyond. This limited edition of 250 pieces, imbued with KAWS’ aesthetic codes, puts time aside to place COMPANION at the centre of the dial thanks to the use of an innovative peripheral time display, reinforcing the subversive nature of the Royal Oak Concept collection.

Presented by Zipblind

“KAWS:HOLIDAY” LE BRASSUS IN SWITZERLAND
Pushing the boundaries of creativity even further, KAWS has also created, together with his long-time partner AllRightsReserved, a monumental 11-metre COMPANION sculpture for the twelfth iteration of his KAWS:HOLIDAY world tour. Sitting on the roof of Audemars Piguet’s headquarters in Le Brassus, this large-scale sculpture invites the viewer to reflect on the inextricable link between Haute Horlogerie and the outside world. The installation will remain in place until December 20, 2024.

At once miniature and gigantic, inside the watch and overlooking the Vallée de Joux, the inquisitive COMPANION invites the audience to contemplate and explore the brand’s universe – its heritage, its environment and its place in today’s world.