Audemars Piguet has just announced details of a new collaboration with Cactus Jack, the record label and brand founded by US hip-hop icon Travis Scott.
The new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Limited Edition is made from brown ceramic – a signature Cactus Jack colour and a first for Audemars Piguet.
It has been nicknamed ‘The Chocolate AP’ by Scott, apparently a call-back to – or a pre-emptive bit of marketing in – the song ‘Meltdown’ on his recent album Utopia.
The track had already proved notable with fans suggesting it features a dig at Timothée Chalamet, rumoured to be in a relationship with Scott’s ex, Kylie Jenner.
The controversial verse goes:
‘Chocolate AP and chocolate the Vs got the/ Willy Wonka factory (Vs)/ Burn a athlete like it’s calories find another flame/ hot as me, bitch!’
The 41mm self-winding watch incorporates a number of design elements which refer to Cactus Jack graphics.
The typography of the calendar and week indications is based on a hand-drawn model by Scott. The hands of the day sub-dial form the shape of the Cactus Jack logo. Meanwhile, the brand’s trademark smiley face-with-its-mouth-sewn-shut takes the place of the moon phase at 6 o’clock. Its luminescent coating glows blue in the dark.
The calendar indications, with the exception of the week indication, glow green.
The new elements extend to the strap – which is calfskin, with a pink gold folding clasp engraved with the signatures ‘Audemars Piguet’ and ‘Travis Scott’.
The watch is powered by AP’s skeletonised Calibre 5135 movement which automatically takes into account the number of days in the month and correctly displays the date, even during leap years. Providing it remains wound, it will not require manual adjustment until 2100.
The watch is the latest in a series of high-profile collaborations for the brand, following on from musician and producer Mark Ronson, fashion designer Matthew Williams and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Watchmaking, to me, is the ultimate combo of engineering, fashion, tech and design,” says Travis Scott. “A harmony of precision, craftsmanship and perfect timing. I approached this collaboration similar to sampling or starting a beat, taking inspiration from the classics while introducing innovation to push them into the future. I’m beyond amped about the results, a first ever for the iconic Royal Oak.”
Referring to the outgoing Audemars Piguet boss, François-Henry Bennahmias, moving on after 11 years, Scott says. “For it to be my brother Francois’ final project as CEO of AP makes it even more epic – we are sending him out with a mega fucking epic mic drop…. LETTTSSSSS GOOOOOO.”
Timothée Chalamet was unavailable for comment.
CHF 178,000 (excluding VAT); audemarspiguet.com
