Apart from a post on the Minotaur’s Song, a new single from Montell Fish, images of watches have recently been shared on Instagram of Matthew M Williams — founder of the fashion brand 1017 ALYX 9SM.
At the crossroad of fashion and haute horlogerie, an unprecedented collaboration with Audemars Piguet has resulted in four limited editions and a unique piece.
Having worked with Kanye West and Lady Gaga, Williams has close ties with the music industry while this partnership takes him into another realm.
Audemars Piguet dates back to 1875, when its watchmaking began in Le Brassus in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux. The maison has now expanded its manufacturing to a second site in Le Locle.
Speciallydeveloped oscillating weight for the limited editions.
Williams launched 1017 ALYX 9SM in 2015. Focusing on craftsmanship, technique and sustainable fabrication, the label seeks to unite technical innovation with human emotion through its men’s and women’s collections.
In a partnership with Alamo Records, original music featuring various artists have been released for Compilation V1.
The collab with Audemars Piguet conveys how Williams deems watches a part of self-expression. Like the Swiss company, the Chicago-born designer likes to play with innovative and technical materials to develop surprising and disruptive creations.
Audemars Piguet disrupted the watch industry by introducing the Royal Oak in 1972. Priced like a gold timepiece, the stainless steel model featured an octagonal bezel, hexagonal screws, Tapisserie dial and integrated bracelet.
Chronograph counters have been removed for a clean dial.
Williams worked with the Manufacture to redesign the Royal Oak and oversized Royal Oak Offshore, nicknamed The Beast, born in 1993.
For the first time ever, chronograph counters have been eliminated for a clean aesthetic. Moreover, the Royal Oak models have no hour markers or date aperture to further highlight the vertical satin finishing on the dial.
The all yellow gold Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm has three chronograph hands at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock while the signatures Audemars Piguet and 1017 ALYX 9SM are positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock. The Royal Oak hands are enhanced with luminescent coating for optimal readability in the dark.
Likewise the monochrome Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm shines in 18-carat yellow gold. In addition, signature alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces play on the light to enhance brilliance.
Unique Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm and Calibre 4409. (Photos © Audemars Piguet)
Williams’ minimalist approach extends to two Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm models in 18-carat white or yellow gold.
The characteristic date aperture remains at 3 o’clock next to the AP monogram while the 1017 ALYX 9SM signature is located at 6 o’clock. Without counters, the chronograph hands rotate at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock.
Audemars Piguet’s interchangeable strap system allows swapping the gold bracelet to a black rubber strap for a sporty chronograph.
Each of the four references is fitted with a sapphire crystal caseback that reveals the decorated movement and oscillating weight made of 22-carat yellow or white gold with an engraving of the 1017 ALYX 9SM signature as well as the indication of the winding force and the rotor weight — a nod to the technical references indicated on the fashion brand’s iconic buckles
Williams and Audemars Piguet also partnered for a good cause. A unique Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm was auctioned at the collaboration’s launch party held recently in Tokyo.
American designer Matthew Williams.
Sold at US$1 million (35.5 million baht), the unique piece is housed in a case made from stainless steel while the bezel, crown and push-pieces are in 18-carat yellow gold. This marriage of materials is contrasted with a black PVD-coated gold dial adorned with vertical satin-finishing.
The chronograph runs with a power reserve of 70 hours, thanks to Calibre 4409 equipped with a column wheel and a flyback function.
The funds raised will be donated to projects aimed at supporting play-based learning, notably initiated by NGOs Right To Play and Kids In Motion.
Right To Play uses play to reveal the potential of each child. In Lamu, Kenya, Kids In Motion supports school activities and the community in strengthening infrastructure.
The choice of aiding these projects was made following the recommendations of the Audemars Piguet Foundation and Williams, who has been supporting actions in favour of disadvantaged children for many years.
Auction of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm in Tokyo.
White gold Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm.
