Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is delighted to unveil the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man,” as the second part of its collaboration with Marvel that began in 2021. Combining ancestral expertise with futuristic technology, this 42 mm titanium and black ceramic timepiece is a feat of openwork and highlights the Manufacture’s boundless creativity in complications. This model also embodies Audemars Piguet’s desire to forge links with different cultural universes, seeking inspiration beyond the world of Haute Horlogerie and drawing from the world of pop culture.
Limited to 250 pieces, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” is accompanied by a unique piece, which will be auctioned off to benefit the First Book and Ashoka associations, non-profit organisations that work to empower young people to create change and a positive impact.
Presented in a 42 mm titanium case contrasted with a black ceramic bezel and crown, the openworked movement of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” appears as the hero of this timepiece.
The Super Hero alone requires no less than 50 hours of work
Based on the Calibre 2948, the new hand-wound Calibre 2974 required all the openworking expertise of Audemars Piguet’s engineers, watchmakers and craftspeople for this timepiece to see the light of day. By reducing the architecture of the movement to the bare minimum, they have been able to achieve a level of transparency that allows Spider-Man’s character to appear in a three-dimensional form as if suspended in the void through the sapphire crystal. The silhouette and volume of the character are first cut from a block of white gold using a CNC machine. The Super Hero’s suit is then laser-engraved to obtain the differences in texture that give it its textile appearance. This operation requires complex machine programming and many tests to obtain the desired result.
After this step, touch-ups and engraving-related finishings are meticulously done by hand by a single artisan, making each piece unique. The character is ultimately hand-painted to give him his recognizable two-tone aesthetic, contrasting mat red and metallic blue. During this stage, the painter emphasizes shadows and contrasts to give Spider-Man even more perspective. Extending across the entire thickness of the watch, the Super Hero alone requires no less than 50 hours of work, pushing the limits of the craftsmanship of the artisans in Le Brassus.
The dial is composed of alternating black PVD-coated gold hour-markers and Arabic numerals that are overlaid by hands designed in the same material. All have a polished finish and are enhanced with a white luminescence that turns blue in the dark, subtly referring to the world of Spider-Man.
The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man”
The timepiece is adorned with refined decorations that are faithful to watchmaking tradition and the design codes of the Manufacture. The case alternates between polished and micro-blasted finishes on the top and bottom, while the sides are satin-finished. The movement, however, features a range of decorations, from traits-tirés to sandblasting and polishing.
Limited to 250 pieces, this model is accompanied by a unique piece called the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man”. This one-of-a-kind timepiece comes in a white gold case decorated with a spider leg motif. The case is first laser-engraved to create the spider’s legs, which are then filled with luminescent hybrid ceramic. It is then polished and finely engraved by laser once more to form a spider’s web in the background. It is combined with a black ceramic bezel with ceramic also adorning the caseback that bears the words “Royal Oak Concept Unique Piece” in white. Spider-Man appears on the dial in a black suit, a reference to the one worn by the Super Hero in several 1980s comics, notably The Amazing Spider-Man #252 in 1984. This lesser-known representation of the character makes the piece unique and more mysterious, as does the luminescent material, which glows green in the dark, seen on the hands, hour-markers and part of the character.
The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” comes with a black rubber strap
For the first time, the 42 mm Royal Oak Concept case is equipped with an interchangeable strap system, which allows the owner of the watch to change the strap and buckle in a few simple steps. Equipped with a black and grey rubber strap and a titanium AP buckle, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” comes with a second black and red rubber strap, matching the famous suit of the Marvel Super Hero. The unique Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” comes with a black rubber strap with a velvety texture and a second black calfskin leather strap with a textile effect and white stitching.
About Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Based in Le Brassus since 1875, the company has nurtured generations of talented craftspeople who have continuously developed new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, Audemars Piguet has created numerous masterpieces, testament to the Manufacture’s ancestral savoir-faire and forward-thinking spirit. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible and building bridges between different creative worlds, Audemars Piguet has been able to explore new horizons and build an inspired community. Seek Beyond.
https://www.audemarspiguet.com
