When Audemars Piguet teams up with KAWS, the result isn’t just a watch; it’s a wearable art installation that makes even punctuality seem avant-garde. Enter the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION,” a limited edition that’s part titanium, part high horology, and entirely KAWS.
Imagine strapping a 43 mm sculpture of KAWS’ iconic COMPANION to your wrist, but instead of contemplating mortality, it shows the time—albeit in the most unconventional way possible while remaining simple enough that you don’t need a PhD to tell the time.
Housed in a titanium case with a black ceramic crown, this watch ditches traditional timekeeping norms by shoving the hour and minute hands to the periphery. Why? To keep the spotlight on the dissected COMPANION figure lounging on the openworked dial. Its chest? Wide open, revealing a tourbillon at 6 o’clock, because what’s art without a little movement?
Inside beats the hand-wound Calibre 2979, boasting a 72-hour power reserve and 39 jewels. The tourbillon’s job? Combat gravity, ensuring this horological marvel doesn’t just look good but ticks with precision. At 17.4 mm thick and water-resistant to 100 meters, it’s as robust as it is stylish, ready to brave both deep dives and gallery openings.
The straps come in textured light gray calfskin with a titanium folding clasp, plus a dark gray backup for when you’re feeling broody. And since swapping straps is as easy as changing moods, you’ll always have an option to match your outfit—or existential crisis.
With only 250 pieces available, this watch is rarer than a KAWS drop without a line around the block. The price? On request—because putting a number on it would ruin the fun.
In related news, KAWS also launched a limited edition KAWS figure with this super luxe, super limited timepiece. The Time Together, 2024, figure is an 18-inch tall walnut sculpture of KAWS’ flagship character COMPANION sitting atop the iconic Audemars Piguet’s HQ.
The has a limited run of 100, each going for US$16,000. It is pricey for a figure, sculpture or not, but that does not stop it from flying off the shelves. Yup. All 100 copies have been spoken for.
Images: AP.
via Instagram (@drip).
