Audemars Piguet underlines its birthplace in the campaign "Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world".
With a twist on the tagline, "Born in Le Brassus, powered by vibranium" refers to the awesome Royal Oak Concept "Black Panther" Flying Tourbillon.
The new collaboration with Marvel Entertainment allows the exploration of its universe. From the Vallée de Joux, the independent Swiss watchmaker imagines a journey to Wakanda, where a meteorite endowed with vibranium crash-landed on the fictional country thousands of years ago.
Having harnessed the power of the cosmic element, Wakanda became a technologically-advanced nation. For instance, King T'Challa in the mantle of the powerful Black Panther, wears a protective suit infused with vibranium and other technologies.
Audemars Piguet draws inspiration from the high-tech suit in designing the limited-edition Royal Oak Concept "Black Panther" Flying Tourbillon available in 250 pieces.
Launched in 2002, the Royal Oak Concept has been its haute horlogerie platform for combining futuristic design and high-tech materials with cutting-edge micro-mechanics and engineered precision.
The company has been based in the Vallée de Joux since 1875. Nestled in the Jura Mountains, the rugged valley is named after rocks from which iron ore could be extracted.
Vibranium, of course, isn't available as a malleable metal in the real world for making a robust case.
Instead, the juxtaposition of a titanium case and a black ceramic octagonal bezel gives the new Royal Oak Concept a futuristic look, complemented by traditional finishing techniques.
The textured sandblasted titanium case features satin-brushed and polished titanium inserts. Satin-brushed steel hexagonal screws brazenly securing the bezel on the 42mm case enhance the two-tone aesthetics while the purple inner bezel provides a vivid touch of colour.
Hand painting of the white gold Black Panther character.
On the dial, the Black Panther crouches, ready to leap, above a pulsating flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock, with an openworked barrel revealed on the left at 10 o'clock.
The superhero's silhouette and volume are preliminarily cut in a white gold disc by CNC machining. Numerous recesses underneath leave enough space for movement components, while simultaneously maintaining rigidity.
The engraving and painting of the white gold 3D Black Panther requires 30 hours of work.
Details such as facial features, muscles, hands and claws are meticulously sculpted by hand. The texture of the suit is carved out by laser and hand-engraved while numerous layers of diluted dark paint are applied in order to balance the texture and graded contrasts.
Small details left unpainted are polished to provide a subtle play of light while accentuating contrast and depth.
In the background, laser-textured titanium bridges finished with black and grey PVD coating also recall the Black Panther's faceted suit.
From left, François-Henry Bennahmias, Kevin Hart and Michael Friedman hosting ‘Audemars Piguet & Friends, Live Show From Los Angeles’. (Photos Courtesy of Audemars Piguet Karin Creuzet Diode)
The sapphire caseback further provides a view of the hand-wound movement, which offers a power reserve of 72 hours.
The partnership with Marvel is the latest example of how Audemars Piguet continuously looks for inspiration, notably in the realms of pop culture and entertainment industry.
Four years ago, a conversation between CEO François-Henry Bennahmias and Don Cheadle, who portrays Air Force Lieutenant Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes, aka War Machine, in The Avengers movies sparked the collaboration.
The American actor made an on-the-spot call to arrange a meeting after Bennahmias told him about a long-standing interest in teaming up with Marvel.
Moreover, Audemars Piguet established a joint-collaboration with non-profit organisations, First Book and Ashoka, to correspond with the launch of the Marvel partnership.
The first iteration of its Marvel heroes watch series, the Royal Oak Concept "Black Panther" Flying Tourbillon was unveiled in "Audemars Piguet & Friends, Live Show From Los Angeles", staged on April 10.
The virtual show was hosted by Bennahmias and stand-up comedian/actor Kevin Hart, with Audemars Piguet's head of complications Michael Friedman leading an auction.
Royal Oak Concept ‘Black Panther’ Flying Tourbillon Unique Piece.
Dedicated lots from sports stars Serena Williams, Ian Poulter and Anthony Joshua were auctioned off in profit for the educational programme developed by First Book, Ashoka and Audemars Piguet.
Likewise, a unique Royal Oak Concept "Black Panther" Flying Tourbillon in white gold with a hand-engraved bezel and streaks of purple outlining the suit was auctioned off to support the educational programme for students for low-income families and historically excluded communities.
The auction's inaugural donation will enable the programme to reach an initial group of 17,000 First Book educators and as many as 500,000 students, aged 10-18, across the United States.
Through this programme, the students will learn and practice a critical set of skills to identify problems, and work with their peers, educators and other adults to implement solutions for a more equitable and stable world. The youngsters will be given the resources to drive change in their communities and unleash the power they have within them to do so.
