Audemars Piguet and Tamara Ralph unveil couture-inspired timepiece
The Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon takes inspiration from the designer’s haute couture ateliers, providing collectors with a rare opportunity to own a piece of horological history.
In January Audemars Piguet unveiled a collaboration with London-based Australian fashion designer Tamara Ralph (above). The Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon limited edition takes inspiration from couture ateliers. Models walking the show during haute couture week wore the bold timepiece with Ralph’s dramatic feathered and beaded creations.
Stephanie Ng, chief executive Southeast Asia and Australia at Audemars Piguet, says pairing with Ralph shows how cross-disciplinary collaboration fosters creativity and new kinds of connections.
“Collaborations and limited editions serve as dynamic avenues to broaden the client base and attract collectors by infusing uniqueness and exclusivity,” she says.
“The allure of this timepiece draws in those who appreciate the fusion of haute couture and horological excellence. It appeals to collectors who value unique collaborations and limited editions.”
For Ralph, the starting point was to honour both her own brand as well as that of Audemars Piguet. “I approached the design of this watch in much the same way as I would a piece of couture, [with] enormous attention to detail and often painstaking technique,” she says.
Ralph’s favourite element is the tactility of the different metals and finishes used in the timepiece. This includes the frosted gold finish, a technique another Audemars Piguet collaborator, Florentine jeweller Carolina Bucci, introduced in 2016.
“I wanted a watch face that really drew your attention into the watch itself; the radiating rings in shades of golds and rose golds cascade the eye into the beautiful detailing of the diamond pavé and, behind this, you are offered a glimpse of the incredible craftsmanship, revealing a discrete aspect of the watch’s mechanical beauty,” says Ralph.
The collection runs to just 102 pieces. POA
This story is from the April issue of WISH.
