Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has unveiled 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 42mm titanium and black ceramic timepiece is a feat of openwork and highlights the manufacturer’s boundless creativity in complications,” a press statement notes. “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.
A feat of openwork, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” features Marvel’s superhero on the dial and through the caseback.
Following the Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon, which launched in 2021, this second collaboration with Marvel features Spider-Man, one of Marvel’s most popular superheroes.
Marvel’s Spider-Man unites a large community of fans around the world, while promoting family and community values.
After more than 60 years since his debut, Audemars Piguet and Marvel "are pleased to pay tribute to this amazing icon", the statement said.
“We’re thrilled to share our newest collaboration with Audemars Piguet and celebrate a collection of timepieces featuring the cultural icon, Spider-Man,” said Paul Gitter, executive vice-president (Global Brand Commercialisation) at Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. “This collaboration showcases the evergreen appeal and global impact of the Spider-Man character, while also benefiting two incredible non-profit organisations, helping further empower today’s youth.”
Presented in a 42mm 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.
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 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 timepiece is adorned with refined decorations.
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.
“For this second collaboration with Marvel, we want to pay tribute to Spider-Man, one of the most popular superheroes in the Marvel universe, who is aware that with great power comes great responsibility,” said Audemars Piguet chief executive Francois-Henry Bennahmias. “And, to mark the occasion, we are pleased to reiterate our commitment to First Book and Ashoka’s work to empower young people to become agents of change; they are our real-life heroes.”
For the first time, the 42mm 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.
Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has unveiled the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Spider-Man', as the second part of its collaboration with Marvel that began in 2021.
