Audemars Piguet just collaborated with Givenchy’s creative director Matthew Williams on four sleek Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore timepieces, plus a unique watch to be auctioned in Tokyo

Aug 24 , 2023

Audemars Piguet and Matthew Williams, the co-founder of the fashion brand 1017 Alyx 9SM and creative director at Givenchy, are collaborating to release four new Royal Oak, new Royal Oak Offshore references and a Royal Oak unique piece. Photos: Handout

Timepieces

Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet’s classic Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore timepieces, loved by Kylie Jenner and Jay-Z, get stylish pared-back versions thanks to the American fashion designer

Williams has his own streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM and has worked with Dior’s Kim Jones and Lady Gaga; all five limited-edition gold watch models sport his signature on the caseback

Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet has unveiled its latest Royal Oak launch: a collaborative collection with American fashion designer Matthew Williams. The line released today at an exclusive launch party in Tokyo.

Williams, who is the founder of contemporary streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM, is also the current creative director of French luxury brand Givenchy. He oversees both the men’s and women’s lines. Williams’ previous stints include working with Lady Gaga and Kanye West as well as Dior men’s artistic director Kim Jones.

Diehard collectors will be thrilled to know that this limited-edition release includes four new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references alongside a unique Royal Oak timepiece.

Matthew Williams is joining forces with Audemars Piguet to launch new timepieces. Photo: Audemars Piguet

Owning one pretty much means you’re in the same ranks as celebrity and industry heavyweights such as Chris Hemsworth, Serena Williams, Jay-Z and Kylie Jenner.

The sleek watches, which are available in sizes ranging from 37mm to 42mm and three finishes – 18-carat yellow gold, 18-carat white gold and a two-tone version – are infused with the Chicago-born designer’s pared-back aesthetic. This is the first time that the same design has been used for both Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore lines.

Instead of a Tapisserie dial – the patterned motif that appears on all Royal Oak timepieces – all five models feature a minimalist design with a vertical satin finishing and the Audemars Piguet and 1017 Alyx 9SM signatures. The fact that there are no hour-markers gives the series more of a clean look and contemporary feel.

Royal Oak

Fashioned from 18-carat yellow gold, the two Royal Oak models consist of a compact 37mm self-winding reference – this particular style is especially suitable for those with smaller wrists – and a 41mm self-winding chronograph.

The Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm in 18-carat yellow gold created with Matthew Williams features chronograph pushers on either side of its crown. Photo: Audemars Piguet

The larger watch is detailed with chronograph hands at three, six and nine o’clock.