CACTUS JACK TAKES OVER AUDEMARS PIGUET NEW YORK BOUTIQUE AS PART OF COLLABORATION
The Audemars Piguet boutique in New York opened last week with a surprising new look following its takeover by Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, revealing the two brands’ collaboration. The collaboration includes an exclusive collection of clothing and accessories that will be sold exclusively on the Travis Scott website, with part of the proceeds going to a charity project or cause of Scott’s choice.
As part of the collaboration, Cactus Jack and Audemars Piguet—the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families— have revealed a new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked limited edition crafted in “chocolate” brown ceramic.
“Watchmaking, to me, is the ultimate combo of engineering, fashion, tech and design—a harmony of precision, craftsmanship and perfect timing. I approached this collaboration similar to sampling or starting a beat, taking inspiration from 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. For it to be my brother Francois’ final project as CEO of AP makes it even more epic,” says Scott
Nicknamed “The Chocolate AP” By Travis Scott
For the first time, Audemars Piguet presents a Royal Oak model crafted in brown ceramic – a signature color for Cactus Jack. This light and scratch-resistant material can be admired on the watch’s 41 mm case and bracelet studs.
“The chocolate AP,” as Travis Scott likes to call it in his latest album, features white gold hexagonal screws as well as a sapphire dial revealing the open-worked movement, Calibre 5135, which combines rhodium-toned components with pink-gold-toned hues.
Numerous design elements reference Cactus Jack’s graphics. The Audemars Piguet Design team has specially designed the typography of the calendar and week indications based on Travis Scott’s hand-drawn model. Even the hand of the day subdial takes on the shape of the brand’s logo. But, the most visible nod is the design of the moon phase at 6 o’clock. The usual representation of Earth’s natural satellite has been replaced by Cactus Jack’s emblematic smiley face with its mouth sewn shut, whose luminescent coating glows blue in the dark. In contrast, the other calendar indications, with the exception of the week indication, are endowed with a luminescent material that turns green at night for a unique luminous effect.
A new textured calfskin leather strap makes its debut for the occasion, a first for this complication, while the pink gold folding clasp is engraved with the double signatures of “Audemars Piguet” and “Travis Scott”.
The brown ceramic and sapphire caseback is engraved with “Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar,” “Limited Edition of 200 Pieces” and “Utopia is a state of mind” in reference to Travis Scott’s latest album. This mention also appears imprinted on one of the strap’s mobile loops. The stamped openworked 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight visible on the caseback side is decorated with satin-brushing and polished chamfers and engraved with the double “Audemars Piguet” and “Cactus Jack” signatures. The Cactus Jack logo, which appears in the centre of the oscillating weight, brings the final touch to this collaboration at the crossroads of different universes.
