Audemars Piguet just collaborated with Givenchys creative director Matthew Williams on four sleek

Publish date: 2024-03-03

Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet has unveiled its latest Royal Oak launch: a collaborative collection with American fashion designer Matthew Williams. The line released today at an exclusive launch party in Tokyo.

Williams, who is the founder of contemporary streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM, is also the current creative director of French luxury brand Givenchy. He oversees both the men’s and women’s lines. Williams’ previous stints include working with Lady Gaga and Kanye West as well as Dior men’s artistic director Kim Jones.

Diehard collectors will be thrilled to know that this limited-edition release includes four new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references alongside a unique Royal Oak timepiece.

The sleek watches, which are available in sizes ranging from 37mm to 42mm and three finishes – 18-carat yellow gold, 18-carat white gold and a two-tone version – are infused with the Chicago-born designer’s pared-back aesthetic. This is the first time that the same design has been used for both Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore lines.

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Instead of a Tapisserie dial – the patterned motif that appears on all Royal Oak timepieces – all five models feature a minimalist design with a vertical satin finishing and the Audemars Piguet and 1017 Alyx 9SM signatures. The fact that there are no hour-markers gives the series more of a clean look and contemporary feel.

Royal Oak

Fashioned from 18-carat yellow gold, the two Royal Oak models consist of a compact 37mm self-winding reference – this particular style is especially suitable for those with smaller wrists – and a 41mm self-winding chronograph.

The larger watch is detailed with chronograph hands at three, six and nine o’clock.

Royal Oak Offshore

The two Royal Oak Offshore models – self-winding chronograph 42mm – come in two finishes, 18-carat white and yellow gold. The chunky watch is characterised by a date aperture and chronograph hands at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. Both iterations are fitted with interchangeable straps plus an additional black rubber strap.

All four models are designed with a sapphire crystal caseback that is engraved with the 1017 Alyx 9SM logo and the phrase “Limited Edition”.

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Royal Oak “Unique Piece”

The unique Royal Oak self-winding chronograph 41mm sports a two-tone case and bracelet that combines 18-carat yellow gold and stainless steel. Other design features include a black PVD-coated gold dial with vertical satin finishing and a caseback engraved with “Unique Piece”.

The mysterious timepiece – the brand hadn’t released publicity shots to us at the time of writing – won’t be up for sale through regular retail channels. Instead, the watch will be auctioned off at the collaboration launch party and the funds raised will be donated to a programme which supports the education of underprivileged children. We can only hope the lucky buyer eventually shows it off on their wrist for social media later.