A Unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” Sold for $8.5 Million

Audemars Piguet is pleased to unveil its new Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” model, the second iteration of its collaboration with Marvel which started in 2021. This limited edition of 250 pieces features a mesmerizing openworked movement with a 3D silhouette of the Super Hero. For the launch event in Dubai, a unique piece among two other lots were auctioned to benefit First Book and Ashoka, two non-profit organizations that both work to encourage young people to become agents of change.

The limited edition and its unique piece combine watchmaking know-how, technology and pop culture

Presented in a 42 mm titanium case contrasted by a black ceramic bezel and crown, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man”’s openworked movement, Calibre 2974, reveals the Super Hero in his iconic red and blue suit. This limited edition of 250 pieces is accompanied by a unique piece on which Spider-Man wears a black suit, referencing his appearance from select past comics, such as the 1984’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” #252. This lesser-known representation of the Super Hero gives the timepiece an element of mystique, as does the luminescent material, which glows green in the dark, used on the hands, hour-markers and part of the character.

Combining ancestral watchmaking know-how and cutting-edge technology, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” features a white gold case which has been decorated with a spider leg motif. The case is first laser-engraved to create the spider’s legs, which are then filled with luminescent hybrid ceramic. It is then polished and finely engraved by laser once more to form a spider’s web in the background. The case is combined with a black ceramic bezel and a black ceramic sapphire caseback which bears the inscription “Royal Oak Concept Unique Piece” in white.

Based on Calibre 2948, the new hand-wound Calibre 2974 required all of Audemars Piguet’s engineers’, watchmakers’ and artisans’ expertise to bring this level of openwork to life. By reducing the movement’s architecture to the bare minimum, they have achieved a level of transparency that allows Spider-Man to appear suspended in the air through the sapphire crystal. The silhouette and the volume of the character was first cut out from a block of white gold using a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machine. The Super Hero’s suit was then laser-engraved to obtain the differences in texture giving it a textile effect. After this step, touch-ups and engraving-related finishings were meticulously done by hand by a single artisan, making each piece unique. The Super Hero was then hand painted. During this step, the artisan emphasized the shadows and contrasts to give the character even more perspective. The Super Hero was created in three dimensions and extends across the whole thickness of the watch. In total, it took around 50 hours to complete the character.

Equipped with an interchangeable black and grey rubber strap fitted with a titanium AP buckle, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” is accompanied by a second black and red rubber strap, matching the Marvel Super Hero’s famous suit. The unique Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” is complemented by a textured black rubber strap and a second black calf leather strap with a textile effect featuring white stitching.

An evening to support Agents of Change

The new Royal Oak Concept “Spider-Man” limited edition and the one-of-a-kind piece, were revealed during an event held in the highest tower of the Central Park Tower in Dubai. Featuring a cocktail created by 3 Michelin star chef Björn Frantzén, a mesmerizing performance by free climber Alexis Landot and an exclusive DJ-set by Heron Preston, the evening was attended by clients, press and celebrities. The auction was followed live in several AP Houses around the world.

The funds raised, USD 8.5 M in total, will allow Audemars Piguet to continue to support the educational programme set up with First Book and Ashoka two years ago in the United States. Entitled “Time For Change: Dream, Act, Change Our World”, this joint programme is designed to advance educational equity through the power of changemaking by providing educators and caregivers with tools to inspire and empower young people from low-income and historically excluded communities to become changemakers. The programme now plans to expand internationally to Brazil, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Canada and Indonesia, in order to steer this global movement forward.

In April 2021, Audemars Piguet had already raised funds for this project thanks to the auction of the Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon unique piece, which supported a first group of 25,000 educators and approximately 750,000 young Americans between the ages of 5 to 18, marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Audemars Piguet, First Book and Ashoka. Thanks to this first auction, more than 50,000 books related to changemaking have been distributed, while educators have benefited from actionable and practical tools to raise awareness on the power of changemaking. Today, this collaboration takes on even more meaning with this piece inspired by Spider-Man, who embodies the adage: “With great power there must also come great responsibility”.

Technical specifications

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” / 42 mm

Reference: 26631IO.OO.D002CA.01

Limited edition of 250 pieces

Case

• Material: Titanium case, black ceramic bezel and screw-down crown
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 15 mm
• Glass: Glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback
• Water-resistant to 50 meters

Dial and hands

• Openworked movement
• 3D Spider-Man character in hand-painted gold
• Gold hour-markers and hands with luminescent coating

Movement

• Hand-wound Calibre 2974
• Diameter: 32.25 mm (14 ¼ lignes)
• Thickness: 5.82 mm
• Number of parts: 197
• Number of jewels: 19
• Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
• Minimum power reserve guaranteed 72 h

Functions/Indications

• Tourbillon, hours and minutes.

Strap and buckle

• Black and grey rubber strap with interchangeable system and AP folding clasp.
• Additional black and red rubber strap.

MSRP: Price on request

Technical specifications

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Black Suit Spider-Man” / 42 mm

Reference: 26632CN.OO.D100CA.01

Unique piece 1/1

Case

• Material: Engraved 18-carat white gold case with green luminescent patterns in hybrid ceramic
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 15 mm
• Glass: Glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback
• Black ceramic screw-down crown
• Water-resistant to 50 meters

Dial and hands

• Openworked movement
• 3D Spider-Man character in hand-painted white gold
• White gold hour-markers and hands with luminescent coating

Movement

• Hand-wound Calibre 2974
• Diameter: 32, 25 mm (14 ¼ lignes)
• Thickness: 5.82 mm
• Number of parts: 197
• Number of jewels: 19
• Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
• Minimum power reserve guaranteed 72 h

Functions/Indications

• Tourbillon, hours and minutes.

Strap and buckle

• Black rubber strap with velvety texture, AP folding clasp and interchangeable system.
• Additional black calf leather strap with textile effect and white stitching.

Sold for $8.5 million

For more information, please visit audemarspiguet.com