Subversive and disruptive: that is the work of the artist known as KAWS. Brian Donnelly of New Jersey, born in 1974, would adopt the moniker KAWS when he started as a street artist. He would become famous in the 1990s first for subverting advertisements and billboards in public spaces, and then for his iconic Companion series of artwork and figures—a grim, sometimes morbid take on the imagery of well-known cartoon characters.
Audemars Piguet is no stranger to provocation. The Royal Oak was a maverick when it was first released, and the Royal Oak Offshore and later the Royal Oak Concept pushed it into new, and sometimes controversial hyperwatch aesthetics. The latter is the basis of the watchmaker’s collaboration with KAWS—a 250-piece limited edition that puts the artist’s work front and centre.
From within the muscular yet streamlined profile of the Royal Oak Concept peers one of KAWS’ Companions, replete with skull-like head and X’s for eyes. Its gloved hands seem appear to be pressed against the sapphire crystal, as if peeking out into the world. Titanium is the material theme of the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “COMPANION”; the case is 43mm in diameter, and is finished in alternating strokes of sandblasting, satin-brushing and polishing. The hex-shaped screws of the famous eight-sided bezel have been decorated with KAWS’ trademark, off-kilter X. The miniature sculpture of the Companion is also rendered in titanium, with a thin layer of grey lacquer to accentuate the X’d out eyes.
In order to make way for this artwork, the new hand-wound Calibre 2979 has a peripheral time display, with hour and minute hands revolving unobtrusively on the dial’s circumference. These, as well as the hour markers, are filled with luminescent material with a blue glow. At six o’clock, where the Companion’s heart might be, is the tourbillon. The movement is manually wound and has a three-day power reserve.
