Audemars Piguet x KAWS Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion: Art Meets Haute Horlogerie

When Street Art Meets Haute Horlogerie

In one of the year's most unexpected collaborations, Audemars Piguet partnered with contemporary artist KAWS (Brian Donnelly) to create the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion. Limited to 250 pieces and priced at 200,000 CHF, this titanium tourbillon blends high-end watchmaking with pop art aesthetics in a way that challenges traditional luxury conventions.

The KAWS Companion on Your Wrist

The dial features a three-dimensional representation of KAWS' iconic "Companion" character — a figure that has become synonymous with the artist's playful yet thought-provoking aesthetic. According to aBlogtoWatch, the concept is that "a KAWS Companion is inside of the watch, existing within it" — creating an ironic interplay where the character appears to view the world through Audemars Piguet's lens.

Technical Specifications

Design Elements

• KAWS Companion figure — Three-dimensional character on dial
• Signature "X" bezel screws — Replacing standard Royal Oak screws with KAWS' iconic eye design
• Floating hour indicators — Solid triangle (hours) and open triangle (minutes) rotate around the dial periphery
• 60-second tourbillon — Visible at the dial's center
• Gray-toned color palette — Sober aesthetic typical of KAWS' titanium works

Art Meets Manufacturing

The collaboration extends beyond the watch itself. KAWS has been commissioned to create an 11-meter tall COMPANION sculpture for the Audemars Piguet manufacture in Le Brassus, Switzerland. This permanent installation creates a physical connection between the timepiece and the brand's headquarters, blurring the lines between watchmaking facility and art gallery.

Caliber 2979: The Movement

The hand-wound Caliber 2979 is deliberately simple in function — displaying only hours and minutes (with seconds via the tourbillon) — allowing the artistic composition to remain the focus. The movement's execution is described as "very pretty" with careful attention to decoration and finishing visible through the sapphire caseback.

Market Context and Collector Appeal

KAWS is no stranger to luxury collaborations. His 2012 partnership with Ikepod introduced the artist's aesthetic to watchmaking at a more accessible price point. The AP collaboration elevates this concept to haute horlogerie territory, targeting collectors who appreciate both contemporary art and mechanical watchmaking.

As aBlogtoWatch noted: "Audemars Piguet likes to position their timepieces more as collectible art versus commoditized timekeeping, so collaborations with such creators and artists make sense." For collectors exploring art-watch collaborations, our luxury watch collecting guide offers valuable insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is KAWS?

KAWS (Brian Donnelly) is an American contemporary artist known for his distinctive "Companion" character and "XX" motif. Starting in street art and graffiti, he has become one of the most commercially successful living artists, with works exhibited in major museums and commanding millions at auction.

Why is the edition size 250 pieces?

250 pieces represents a balance between exclusivity and commercial viability. For an art-watch collaboration at this price point, it allows AP to reach serious collectors while maintaining scarcity. The same colorway across all pieces ensures visual consistency for the edition.

Can the tourbillon be seen clearly?

According to aBlogtoWatch, the 60-second tourbillon "isn't actually all that easy to see" due to the three-dimensional KAWS Companion figure dominating the dial. This is intentional — the artistic composition takes precedence over mechanical display.

According to aBlogtoWatch, the Audemars Piguet x KAWS Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion is limited to 250 pieces at 200,000 CHF.