Creating a new facet of the Royal Oak Concept with YOON & VERBAL.

AUDEMARS PIGUET | Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon

On May 21, 2026, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new "Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon," a collaboration with the Tokyo-based creative duo YOON & VERBAL. It will be produced in a limited edition of 150 pieces worldwide.

Text by Kosaku Waseda

Tension in Black and Red. And Everyday Wearability in a Compact Size.

YOON is a designer and creative director, while VERBAL is a music producer and cultural entrepreneur. The AMBUSH they founded started as an experimental jewelry brand and quickly established a solid position in the high fashion world. They continue to challenge the boundaries of various fields, projecting their unique style and cultural influence globally. Their approach of discerning the essence without being swayed by trends and challenging existing frameworks resonates strongly with the world of watchmaking craftsmanship.

The most striking feature of this piece is the vibrant red flying tourbillon set against the black aventurine dial. The aluminum tourbillon upper cage, positioned at 6 o'clock, is anodized red, embodying a ceaseless energy.

The case diameter is 38.5mm, a compact size within the collection. Titanium is used for the case, with a skillful combination of sandblasted, satin, and polished finishes accentuating its powerful sculptural beauty. The ergonomically designed curved lines are calculated to fit naturally and comfortably on any wrist, achieving a high level of both aesthetic appeal and wearability.

It is powered by the "Calibre 2982" movement, featuring a partially open-worked structure that allows for a close-up appreciation of the mechanical components that mark time, visible through the dial. This approach of showcasing the essential mechanism without superfluous decoration perfectly echoes the philosophy held by both artists: "Purpose over excess, essence over noise." The case back is engraved with "Audemars Piguet," "Y/V," and "Limited Edition."

YOON speaks about the design intent: "Creativity is something that is constantly in motion. People evolve, regenerate, and move forward. That's why the design of this model had to align with that energy. For me, the key was 'balance' – creating something truly universal that everyone can relate to."

VERBAL, on the other hand, comments on the choice of red: "Red has always been a powerful color for us, and the tourbillon cage, as the 'heart' of the watch, symbolizes the force that drives everything. Red evokes the core of the Earth – the point of origin, the source of energy, and ultimately, the color that reminds us of the fundamental way we measure 'time' itself."

The presence of the vibrant red tourbillon, while possessing the allure of high jewelry, subtly integrates into the everyday wrist with its 38.5mm size. The ability to coexist at a high level, balancing tension and everyday wearability, is likely due to the unique perspective and insight of YOON & VERBAL, who discern the essence across genres and cultures.

Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon

Case Material | Titanium x Ceramic

Case Size | Diameter 38.5 mm, Thickness 11.4 mm

Crystal | Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment

Dial | Open-worked black aventurine dial

Hands | Black-finished 18K white gold with luminescent coating

Movement | Calibre 2982, Manual-winding

Functions | Flying tourbillon, Hours, Minutes

Power Reserve | 72 hours

Water Resistance | 20m

Bracelet | Interchangeable rubber strap with "micromosaic" pattern and "quilted" pattern on the inside (two straps included: black and red), Titanium AP folding buckle. *Grey rubber strap matching the case sold separately.

Limited Edition | 150 pieces

Price | CHF 176,800 (Approx. JPY 39,270,000 including tax)

Contact Information

Audemars Piguet Japan

Tel. 03-6830-0000
https://www.audemarspiguet.com/ja

Frequently Asked Questions about Audemars Piguet Watches

Q. What kind of brand is Audemars Piguet?

Its origins trace back to 1875 when Jules-Louis Audemars opened a movement workshop in Le Brassus, in Switzerland's Vallée de Joux. His childhood friend, watchmaker Edward-Auguste Piguet, later joined him, and the brand "Audemars Piguet," bearing their surnames, was officially established in 1882. It is widely known as one of the world's three major luxury watch brands, alongside Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, and remains a rare Swiss manufacture that has maintained its independent spirit through family management since its founding. In 1972, it unveiled the "Royal Oak," designed by Gérald Genta, featuring an octagonal bezel and an integrated bracelet. This presented a revolutionary concept for a luxury sports watch sold at a high price point despite being made of steel, etching its name into modern watchmaking history.

Q. What are YOON and VERBAL known for, and what is this collaboration about?

YOON and VERBAL, based in Tokyo, are creative partners active across a wide range of fields including fashion, music, and contemporary culture. YOON is a designer/creative director, and VERBAL is a music producer/cultural entrepreneur. Together, they founded the design studio AMBUSH. Starting as an experimental jewelry brand, it quickly established a solid position in the high fashion world. They continue to challenge the boundaries of various fields, projecting their unique style and cultural influence globally. Audemars Piguet, which believes that creativity has the power to nurture culture, connect people, and broaden horizons, has always drawn inspiration from looking broadly at the world. Against this backdrop, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new "Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon" with YOON & VERBAL on May 21, 2026. It is a limited edition of 150 pieces worldwide.

Q. What is the most notable feature of the "Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon"?

It is the vibrant red flying tourbillon that stands out against the black aventurine dial. The aluminum tourbillon upper cage at 6 o'clock is anodized red, visually embodying ceaseless energy. The case is made of titanium, and its compact 38.5mm diameter achieves a delicate balance, allowing its high-jewelry brilliance to subtly blend into the everyday wrist. The ability to coexist at a high level, balancing tension and everyday wearability, is likely due to the unique perspective and insight of YOON & VERBAL, who discern the essence across all genres and cultures.