Swiss watchmaking prowess meets high fashion glamour in Audemars Piguet’s latest creation, the “Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon ‘Tamara Ralph’.” Unveiled at Paris Fashion Week during the spring/summer 2024 runway show of the renowned apparel brand, Tamara Ralph, this limited-edition timepiece is a true celebration of the Australian creative director and designer.
The collaboration, the second between Tamara Ralph and Audemars Piguet since 2020, marks a fusion of horology and haute couture, delivering a bespoke watch that’s both a masterpiece of craftsmanship and a nod to high fashion.
The “Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon ‘Tamara Ralph’” is not just a watch; it’s a piece of art crafted from 18K pink gold, adorned with yellow gold and bronze detailing. The distinct metallic hues are showcased in separate layers of the watch face, each with a frosted finish, creating a visually stunning masterpiece. The maison’s skilled artisans used a diamond-tipped tool to create small indentations on each surface, making the watch appear to sparkle in the light.
The 36.5mm timepiece is held in an octagonal frame, housing the intricate hand-wound “Calibre 2964” movement. The caseback’s sapphire crystal offers a glimpse into the watch’s inner workings, revealing the complex micro-machinery. Paired with a brown, alligator-skin strap, the watch is not just a timekeeper but a fashion statement.
Tamara Ralph’s influence on the design is evident throughout. The watch embodies the core principles of her self-titled label, merging “femininity with modernity.” Diamond inlays within the dial’s surface play with light and reflections, echoing the designer’s keen eye for detail. The small divots created during the crafting process add an extra layer of sophistication, making the watch truly unique.
Seventeen jewels on the watch’s body add a touch of sparkle to the carefully crafted exterior. The facets, materials, and themes are meticulously chosen to appeal to an elegant, feminine clientele.
Image credit: Audemars Piguet
