Audemars Piguet is once again pushing the Royal Oak Concept collection into more experimental territory, this time through a collaboration with Tokyo-based fashion and jewelry label Ambush. Created alongside Yoon Ahn and Verbal, the new Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon transforms AP’s technical watchmaking into something far more graphic, urban, and culturally driven.
Limited to just 150 pieces, the watch immediately stands out through its vivid red flying tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock. More than a mechanical complication, the structure becomes the emotional and visual center of the entire design.
The futuristic identity long associated with the Royal Oak Concept series evolves here into something more fashion-oriented and visually expressive without abandoning the collection’s technical DNA.
The Red Tourbillon Becomes the Watch’s Core Identity
The most striking detail is undoubtedly the flying tourbillon itself. For the first time, Audemars Piguet uses an aluminum cage topped with an anodized red plate, creating an intense visual contrast against the black aventurine dial.
The polished white-gold hands and openworked architecture further expose the watch’s mechanical complexity, turning the movement into an active design element rather than something hidden beneath the dial.
According to Ambush cofounder Verbal, the color red symbolizes energy, motion, and the origin of time itself. That conceptual layer gives the watch a stronger emotional identity beyond aesthetics alone.
A Fashion-Driven Evolution of the Royal Oak Concept
First introduced in 2002 for the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak, the Concept collection has long represented Audemars Piguet’s experimental side. From Spider-Man-inspired editions to gem-set rainbow executions, the series consistently pushed beyond traditional haute horlogerie boundaries.
More recently, AP’s Royal Pop collection explored a more graphic and culturally expressive interpretation of the Royal Oak aesthetic. The Ambush collaboration continues that direction from a distinctly fashion-oriented perspective.
The 38.5 mm titanium case combines sandblasted, satin-brushed, and polished surfaces to create a layered architectural texture. The model also becomes the first watch in this case size within the Concept lineup to feature a quick-release interchangeable strap system.
Both black and red rubber straps are included, allowing the wearer to shift the personality of the watch depending on mood and styling.
The New Calibre 2982 Makes Its Debut
Inside the watch sits the newly developed Calibre 2982, created specifically for this collaboration. The hand-wound movement offers a 72-hour power reserve and remains highly visible through the semi-openworked dial architecture.
Audemars Piguet approaches the complication here not simply as a technical showcase, but as an integrated part of the watch’s visual storytelling.
It feels like a natural continuation of the Royal Oak Concept philosophy, one that increasingly blurs the line between mechanical engineering and contemporary design culture.
VOGGIA Perspective
Luxury watchmaking today is no longer defined solely by complications or finishing techniques. For a new generation of collectors, cultural relevance matters just as much as technical sophistication.
Audemars Piguet’s collaboration with Ambush captures that shift perfectly. What is being presented here is not merely a flying tourbillon, but an object capable of connecting fashion, music, design, and contemporary urban culture.
The Royal Oak Concept collection has always looked toward the future. This latest release suggests that the future of luxury watchmaking may be just as cultural as it is mechanical.
