The Royal Oak Concept represents the collection with which Audemars Piguet makes a great show of creativity and innovation: the most logical choice, therefore, to bring the famous Marvel comic book characters and their universe onto the watch scene following the partnership between the two companies signed in 2021. After the first Black Panther model that opened the saga, the second chapter of the partnership is now dedicated to Spider-Man, one of Marvel's best-loved superheroes, who has now entered the collective imagination.
The Royal Oak Conc ept Tourbillon "Spider-Man" is a blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology. The facetted 42 mm titanium case alternates between polished and microblasted finishes on the top and bottom, while the sides are satin-finished.
The bezel is black ceramic, as is the winding crown. The movement, which is completely visible from the dial, involved a real technical challenge: the skeletonised manual calibre 2974 was reduced to a minimum to allow the figure of Spider-Man, which surmounts it, to soar in three-dimensional form over the dial, as if suspended in a vacuum.
The Spider-Man silhouette is first cut from a block of white gold using a CNC machine. The costume is laser-engraved to achieve the differences in texture that give it the appearance of fabric. The character is then hand-painted to give him his recognisable two-tone aesthetic, with the contrast between matte red and metallic blue. A job that takes at least 50 hours just to make the superhero.
The architecture of the new movement, based on the calibre 2948 used in the Code 11.59, features a one-minute tourbillon at 6 o'clock and a barrel at 12 o'clock guaranteeing an 80-hour power reserve. For the first time, a 42 mm Royal Oak Concept is equipped with an interchangeable strap system that allows the black and grey rubber strap to be easily replaced with an additional black and red rubber strap matching the famous Marvel superhero costume.
It is a limited edition of 250 pieces (price on request) and is flanked by a unique piece, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Black Suit Spider-Man' with a white gold case decorated with a spider's paw motif, laser-engraved and then filled with luminescent hybrid ceramic. This model was auctioned in favour of the non-profit associations First Book and Ashoka, which work to encourage young people to be part of change and make a positive impact.
