Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet unveils a striking new addition to its iconic collection: the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon limited edition, created in collaboration with renowned Haute Couture designer Tamara Ralph. This limited edition timepiece, crafted in 18-carat pink gold and shimmering with Frosted Gold, showcases a unique palette of graded hues from brown and bronze to golden tones, embodying Ralph’s aesthetic of bold femininity, boundless creativity, and timeless elegance.
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Revealed during Tamara Ralph’s runway show in Paris for the Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture Fashion Week on 22 January 2024, this collaboration celebrates the natural synergies between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Couture. It further strengthens Audemars Piguet’s longstanding ties with creative worlds, underscoring a shared commitment to uncompromising craftsmanship, precision, and excellence.
The partnership between Audemars Piguet and Tamara Ralph began in 2020 when the manufacturer paired several of its watches with Ralph’s Spring/Summer 2021 Pret-a-Porter collection. This year, their enduring relationship culminates in the design of the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon limited edition, inspired by Ralph’s Couture universe. The timepiece, presented at Ralph’s Paris runway show, highlights both brands’ forward-thinking approach to craftsmanship, blending ancestral expertise with modern techniques, and creating distinctive objets d’art that evoke emotion.
Tamara Ralph, expressing her intention for the design, said, “The complications of watchmaking orchestrate a foundation which can be played with in terms of textures, colors, and designs, allowing for the savoir-faire of couture to shine through.”
Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, remarked on the collaboration, “Tamara’s endless quest for perfection perfectly echoes our watchmakers’ dedication to pushing their craft to the limit. We are delighted to start 2024 in collaboration with such an inspiring woman.”
The Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon “Tamara Ralph” Limited Edition dazzles with an 18-carat pink gold case adorned with Frosted Gold, achieved through an ancient Florentine jewellery technique. The case’s polished bevel, satin-brushed flanks, and the juxtaposition of different finishing techniques add sumptuous texture and plays of light. The multi-layered dial, inspired by Ralph’s Couture creations, features overlapping circular pink gold plates in a ripple effect, with colors evolving from brown to bronze and golden tones. The timepiece comes with a bronze-toned hand-stitched alligator strap and an additional brown alligator strap.
Powered by the hand-wound Calibre 2964, the watch combines tradition with modernity. Its flying tourbillon, a high-end complication, adds elegance and precision. The sapphire caseback reveals the intricately decorated movement, reflecting the dial’s aesthetic.
The Royal Oak Concept collection, established in 2002, has continuously evolved, introducing avant-garde designs and innovative complications. The “Tamara Ralph” Limited Edition represents a fusion of Audemars Piguet’s bold, powerful aesthetics with the sophisticated luxury and fantasy of Tamara Ralph’s Haute Couture, marking a significant milestone in the legacy of both the Royal Oak Concept and Haute Horlogerie.
