Audemars Piguet Unveils a Striking Collaboration with 1017 ALYX 9SM Founder William Matthews
Collaborating with designer Matthew Williams of 1017 ALYX 9SM, Audemars Piguet introduces four striking new models, as well as a unique Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph.
In a groundbreaking union of haute horlogerie and cutting-edge design, renowned Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet joins forces with American visionary Matthew Williams, the mastermind behind 1017 ALYX 9SM. This dynamic collaboration gives birth to an extraordinary collection comprising four new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore creations alongside a one-of-a-kind Royal Oak masterpiece. This exceptional lineup marries Audemars Piguet’s signature aesthetics with Matthew Williams’ distinctive touch, aimed at captivating fashion enthusiasts and empowering them to express their individuality.
Matthew Williams & Audemars Piguet: A Fusion of Creative Worlds
This partnership between Audemars Piguet and the fashion powerhouse 1017 ALYX 9SM, founded by the innovative Matthew Williams in 2015, stands as a testament to the watchmaker’s enduring connection with diverse creative realms, particularly the world of fashion. Hailing from Chicago, Williams is celebrated for his penchant for utilizing top-tier materials with a touch of innovation and technical finesse, crafting creations that disrupt norms and expectations. Both brands share a commitment to an avant-garde spirit, an obsession for intricate detailing, and a shared dedication to sustainable practices.
“Collaborating on this scale opens up new avenues for me to expand my expertise into yet another realm of excellence.” – Matthew Williams, Designer and Founder of 1017 ALYX 9SM
An Aesthetic Marvel
Williams envisions watches as extensions of one’s identity. This extraordinary partnership yields a collection boasting minimalist elegance, encompassing an array of references from 37 to 42mm. These refined timepieces cater to various wrist sizes, allowing individual personalities to radiate while establishing a seamless connection between high fashion and haute horlogerie.
The quartet of references is available in 18-carat yellow and white gold, encompassing two Royal Oak models and two Royal Oak Offshore models. Notably, this collaboration marks the inaugural instance where identical designs grace both collections simultaneously. Williams and Audemars Piguet have streamlined the dials to encapsulate an air of purity and simplicity, eliminating hour markers and date apertures from the Royal Oak models. Instead, the focus is directed towards the elegant vertical satin-finishing embellishing the gold dials. The outcome is an assemblage of ageless monochrome timepieces, seamlessly merging refined aesthetics with advanced watchmaking techniques.
A Regal Showcase
The Royal Oak duo, cast entirely in 18-carat yellow gold, encompasses a Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm reference, perfect for daintier wrists. The minimalist dial, adorned with luminescent yellow-gold hands and dual signatures – “Audemars Piguet” and “1017 ALYX 9SM” – speaks volumes.
The second model, a Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph spanning 41mm, dares to push minimalism’s boundaries by discarding the chronograph counters, leaving the hands at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Both these Royal Oak references are offered in a limited series.
Parallelly, the Royal Oak Offshore counterparts adopt the same motif, paring down the dial to essentials. Solely the date aperture, emblematic of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, remains at 3 o’clock beside the iconic AP monogram. The 1017 ALYX 9SM signature occupies the 6 o’clock position. Remarkably, even the chronograph counters at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock have been excised, letting the hands shine forth – an unprecedented move for chronographs. These 42mm limited editions, available in 18-carat white or yellow gold, strike a balance between subtlety and opulence. Enhanced by the Manufacture’s interchangeable strap system, these models arrive with an extra black rubber strap, creating a striking contrast.
Every piece within this quartet showcases the meticulous hand finishes emblematic of Audemars Piguet, seamlessly intertwining polished and satin-finished surfaces to capture an interplay of light. A touch of exclusivity is etched into the case back, graced by the words “Limited Edition.”
Power and Precision
The heartbeat of these four Royal Oak Selfwinding, Selfwinding Chronograph, and Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph references lies within their advanced latest-generation movements. The 37mm Royal Oak Selfwinding model is powered by the Calibre 5909, an ultrathin movement introduced in 2022. Vibrating at 4 Hz and boasting a 60-hour power reserve, this movement measures merely 4mm in thickness. In the 41mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph, the latest selfwinding chronograph movement reigns supreme – the integrated chronograph Calibre 4409. This movement, devoid of a date indicator, incorporates a column wheel and flyback function, enabling instantaneous restart of the chronograph without halting or resetting it. Additionally, a vertical clutch prevents hand jumping when the chronograph activates or stops. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz with a power reserve of 70 hours, it introduces unparalleled precision.
Finally, the two Royal Oak Offshore models host the Calibre 4404. Mirroring the features of the Calibre 4409, this movement is slightly larger, harmonizing seamlessly with the robust Royal Oak Offshore casing. Each model is a testament to craftsmanship, bearing a sapphire crystal case back that unveils an oscillating weight meticulously fashioned for these limited editions. Crafted from 22-carat yellow or white gold, it showcases an engraving of the 1017 ALYX 9SM signature and Newton’s millimeter indication, reminiscent of Williams’ buckles’ technical references. Dazzling decorations, including Côtes de Genève, circular graining, sunray and satin finishing, and polished bevels, further adorn the oscillating weight, creating a captivating spectacle.
Empowering Underprivileged Children: A Remarkable Timepiece with a Purpose
Amidst the four exclusive models gracing Audemars Piguet boutiques, a striking creation emerges – a unique Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph. Crafted in collaboration between designer Matthew Williams and Audemars Piguet, this 41mm masterpiece boasts a dual-tone 18-carat yellow gold and stainless steel case and bracelet. Against a PVD-coated gold dial adorned with vertical satin-finishing, luminous yellow-gold chronograph hands grace the space, accompanied by three central hands designed for optimal dark setting visibility. Fueled by Calibre 4409, it seamlessly blends technology with contemporary flair.
This unique timepiece was auctioned at USD 1,000,000 on the 24th of August in Tokyo, Japan. All proceeds from this auction will bolster initiatives advocating play-based learning for disadvantaged children, championed by respected NGOs – Kids in Motion and Right to Play. The former uplifts a transformative project in Lamu, Kenya, fostering community growth and educational progress. Meanwhile, Right to Play unlocks children’s potential through the power of play.
Price:
- Audemars Piguet Ref: 15550BA.OO.1356BA.02: EUR 72,600/USD 73,500
- Audemars Piguet Ref: 26240BA.OO.1320BA.01: EUR 89,200/USD 90,400
- Audemars Piguet Ref: 26238BC.OO.2000BC.01: EUR 110,000/USD 111,500
- Audemars Piguet Ref: 26238BA.OO.2000BA.01: EUR 110,000/USD 111,500
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