Audemars Piguet has followed the attention-grabbing launch of its collaboration with Swatch with another high-profile partnership, this time joining forces with Ambush founders Yoon Ahn and Verbal on a limited-edition Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon. The watch brings Ambush’s mix of streetwear, fashion, music, and pop culture into the world of Swiss luxury watchmaking.
Ahn said she was first attracted to the Royal Oak because of its strong geometric design, later developing a deeper appreciation for Gerald Genta, the designer behind the iconic model. She bought her first Royal Oak more than 20 years ago, beginning a long connection with the brand. Verbal also owns an early Royal Oak Concept, which inspired the pair as they developed the new piece.
The collaboration was designed around the idea of lasting style. Ahn said the goal was to create a watch that would still feel fresh decades from now. Unlike the original 44mm Royal Oak Concept, the new model is a more wearable 38.5mm, a size Ahn preferred because earlier Concept models felt too large for her wrist.
The design centers on time itself, beginning with the tourbillon. Audemars Piguet created its first red anodized tourbillon cage for the watch, a detail meant to represent the heart of the timepiece, as well as the energy and motion at the earth’s core. The partially openworked dial reveals the hand-wound movement beneath a black aventurine surface intended to evoke a night sky filled with stars. Ahn said the manual movement adds an emotional, interactive quality to the watch, while also allowing the case to remain slimmer by eliminating the rotor.
Verbal described the aventurine dial as a small constellation inside the watch, reflecting the pair’s interest in the celestial origins of timekeeping. The launch event in Seoul matched the watch’s starry theme, drawing celebrity guests including Hailey Bieber, Lee Jung-jae, and Evan Mock.
The limited edition is restricted to 150 pieces. It features a sandblasted titanium case, an open case back, and Audemars Piguet’s Caliber 2982 movement. The back is engraved with “Y/V” and “Limited Edition.” Buyers can choose between black and red rubber straps, and a special gray version is also available upon request.
The new release underscores Audemars Piguet’s growing interest in collaborations that blend fine watchmaking with contemporary culture, while Ambush adds another major luxury partnership to its creative portfolio.
