This year the venerable brand Audemars Piguet threw an unexpected curveball - and it was a home run. The innovative twist in time: the Royal Oak Marvel watch. The original Royal Oak Concept Black Panther, introduced earlier in the year, was a one-of-a-kind that was auctioned during its introduction to raise money for charity. The watch boasted an engraved and sculpted three-dimensional Black Panther sculpture (with purple accents) atop the mainplate and above the tourbillon escapement. The response was so incredible that Audemars Piguet created a second edition with a slightly different version of the Black Panther (without purple on the suit). Working with Marvel Entertainment, Audemars Piguet pays tribute to the hero with this 250-piece, 42mm Royal Oak Black Panther Flying Tourbillon edition. Crafted in titanium and black ceramic, it boasts a constantly moving tourbillon escapement at 6 o'clock thanks to the mechanical hand-wound Caliber 2965. Audemars Piguet had to develop new tools to create and assemble the 18-karat gold superhero on the movement. The character's suit is laser-carved and the rest of the details are hand-carved by an engraver. A purple dial flange for the hours indication and a matching purple rubber strap complete the futuristic look.
Details
Company | Audemars Piguet |
Price ($) | 162,000 |
Price range | $100,000 - $200,000 |
Carrats | 18K |
Gender | Male |
Case | Tonneau |
Complications | Hours Minutes Tourbillon |
Tourbillon | Flying Tourbillon |
Water Resistance | 50m |
Movement | Manual |
Power Reserve Range (hours) | 49 - 72 |
Power Reserve | 72 hours |
Case Size | Large (>39mm) |
Case Diameter (mm) | 42 |
Case Height (mm) | 15 |
Case Back | Open |
Case Colour | White Gold |
Case Material | White Gold |
Dial Colour | Colourful |
Dial Material | White Gold |
Limited Edition | Limited edition |
Caliber | 2965 |
Where to buy | Audemars Piguet in New York |
Reference Number | 26623BC.GG.D077CA.01 |
Born in the abundantly natural landscape of Vallée de Joux, Geneva, Audemars Piguet presents timepieces that are raw in their alignment with nature. Utilizing the earth's space for their ateliers, the farmers occupying Vallée de Joux in the 18th century tirelessly practiced horological craftsmanship to produce some of the most complicated mechanisms ever made. Nurtured through these natural resources, the iron ore found within the ice and rocks of this region is what sustained the evolution of its timepieces and rise to renown.Following the footsteps of its founders, Audemars Piguet continues to practice forward-thinking. Launched in 2019, its Code 11.59 collection ceaselessly impresses through its contemporary, double-curved sapphire crystal face and the shapeshifting illusion of its circular and octagonal blend. The most famous of Audemars Piguet collections, however, is the Royal Oak of which the Flying Tourbillon Extra-thin RD#3 has taken the spotlight. This self-winding watch measures 8.1mm in thickness and features a bidirectional central oscillating weight that celebrates the line's 50th anniversary.