A New Cloak for The Beast - The Most Recent AP Colaboration

Audemars Piguet's latest venture sees a dynamic collaboration with American designer Matthew Williams, the legend behind 1017 ALYX 9SM. This joint effort gives a new life to the Royal Oak collection, infusing it with a personal touch of style and innovation that resonates with Williams' creative vision.

 

 

In sync with the manufacturer's reputation for quality and uniqueness, Williams is one with their passion for cutting-edge materials and sustainable practices. Their shared vision manifests in a range of Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore timepieces that mix the iconic codes of the brand with Williams' signature flair.

 

The collection is an avant-garde masterpiece, marking the first instance where Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore models adopt a minimalist aesthetic. These timepieces, ranging from 37 to 42 mm in diameter, celebrate the fusion of haute horlogerie and fashion, offering a canvas for individual expression.

 

 

In a quest to achieve clean and beautiful aesthetics, Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams have distilled the gold dials to their simplest form, focusing on the elegant vertical satin finish. The outcome is a series of monochrome watches that integrate mesmerizing aesthetics with the best watchmaking techniques.

 

 

The collaboration has resulted in two remarkable 18-carat yellow gold Royal Oak models. The 37 mm Selfwinding version embodies simplicity, with luminescent hands and the dual insignias of "Audemars Piguet" and "1017 ALYX 9SM." Its 41 mm counterpart, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph, takes minimalism a step further, forgoing chronograph counters to emphasize the hands at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. 

 

 

 

The Royal Oak Offshore models have the same theme, stripping down the dial to its essentials. Available in 18-carat white or yellow gold, these 42 mm limited editions strike a balance between sobriety and loud luxury. With Audemars Piguet's interchangeable strap system, these watches come with an extra black rubber strap for a contrast.

 

 

Behind the scenes, the Royal Oak Selfwinding models house Calibre 5909, boasting a frequency of 4Hz and a 60-hour power reserve. Meanwhile, the 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding runs on the latest integrated flyback Chronograph Calibre 4409. The Royal Oak Offshore models are equipped with the Calibre 4404, featuring an integrated chronograph and a flyback function.

 

 

Every model has a sapphire crystal caseback that reveals a special 22-carat yellow or white gold oscillating weight. This weight bears the engraving of the 1017 ALYX 9SM signature, a nod to the technical details on Williams' buckles.

 

 

In the world of horological collaborations, the Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams partnership emerges as a testament to the many possibilities when haute horlogerie meets contemporary design. The resulting timepieces are not just watches; they are wearable expressions of individuality and art.

 

Photo Courtesy - Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams