Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is delighted to reveal the first iteration of its Marvel Super Hero watch series, the Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon. This limited edition of 250 pieces was revealed on April 10 during the brand’s virtual event “Audemars Piguet & Friends, Live Show from Los Angeles” in celebration of its new long-term collaboration with Marvel Entertainment. The live event, which was publicly broadcast around the world, was hosted by stand-up comedian and actor Kevin Hart alongside Audemars Piguet’s Chief Executive Officer François-Henry Bennahmias, with LeBron James, Serena Williams, Ian Poulter, Anthony Joshua, Lu Han, Jon Gray and Mark Ronson in attendance.
The live show was accompanied by a dedicated auction to profit the long-term educational programme Audemars Piguet has established with non-profit organisations First Book and Ashoka, to support agents of change in low-income and historically excluded communities. The auction was introduced by Kyle Zimmer – founder and CEO of First Book as well as Ashoka Board Member and Senior Fellow—and led by Michael Friedman, Head of Complications at Audemars Piguet, who worked in the past with leading auction houses including Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Antiquorum. Bidders from multiple countries competed for a chance to own one of four distinct auction lots – including a unique version of the Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon.
The show also encompassed live music performances by R&B band Free Nationals as well as Grammy Nominated R&B singer/songwriter Givēon and the event was followed by the reveal of the limited edition in key cities around the world.
THE ROYAL OAK CONCEPT
“BLACK PANTHER” FLYING TOURBILLON
Rooted in ancestral craftsmanship and advanced technology, the limited-edition Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon celebrates the Manufacture’s long-held values of tradition, innovation and family embodied by Marvel’s Black Panther character. The futuristic design of this 42 mm watch, powered by Calibre 2965, recalls the cutting-edge suit of the Marvel Super Hero.
The dial brings together the pulsating flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock with a highly contemporary carved and hand-painted rendition of Marvel’s Black Panther, comprised of white gold.
A UNIQUE TIMEPIECE IN SUPPORT OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHANGEMAKERS
A unique version of the Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon timepiece was auctioned off during the event to support the long-term educational programme Audemars Piguet has established with First Book and Ashoka.
This unique piece features an 18-carat white gold case and bezel entirely engraved by hand with a motif inspired by Marvel’s Black Panther character. The dial showcases a very detailed rendition of Black Panther, whose suit has been outlined with streaks of purple paint for a sharper contrast. The mention “Unique piece” is written on the purple inner bezel visible through the sapphire caseback.
For the occasion, Serena Williams, Ian Poulter and Anthony Joshua also auctioned off dedicated lots in profit of the educational programme developed by First Book, Ashoka and Audemars Piguet.
This joint programme seeks to support students from low-income families and historically excluded communities with tools to drive long-term impactful change in their communities and help them realise the power they have to do so. The inaugural donation from the auction will enable the programme to reach an initial group of 17,000 First Book educators and as many as 500,000 students, ages 10-18, across the United States – with the aim of extending internationally in the years to come. Through this programme students will learn and practice a critical set of skills to identify problems, work with their peers, educators and other adults to implement solutions for a more equitable and stable world in a way that prioritises their experiences and perspectives.
“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world”