It seems that everybody’s friendly neighbourhood webslinger is moving on up to the plusher side of things after being the focus of the latest collab between Marvel and the luxury watchmaker, Audemars Piguet.
The new Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” piece is the second instalment of the collaboration between the Marvel universe and the watch world, following on from the hugely coveted Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon in 2021.
The continuation of this partnership is testament to Audemars Piguet’s ability to seek inspiration beyond the world of fine watchmaking, notably in pop culture and the world of entertainment in particular.
Based on the Calibre 2948, the new hand-wound Calibre 2974 required all the openworking expertise of Audemars Piguet’s engineers, watchmakers and craftspeople for this timepiece to see the light of day.
By reducing the architecture of the movement to the bare minimum, they have been able to achieve a level of transparency that allows Spider-Man’s character to appear in a three-dimensional form as if suspended in the void through the sapphire crystal.
Extending across the entire thickness of the watch, the Super Hero alone requires no less than 50 hours of work, pushing the limits of the craftsmanship of the artisans in Le Brassus.
The dial is composed of alternating black PVD-coated gold hour-markers and Arabic numerals that are overlaid by hands designed in the same material. All have a polished finish and are enhanced with a white luminescence that turns blue in the dark, subtly referring to Spider-Man’s ‘spidey sense’.
Another notable point is that for the first time, the 42 mm Royal Oak Concept case comes equipped with an interchangeable strap system, allowing the owner of the watch to change the strap and buckle. Equipped with a black and grey rubber strap and a titanium AP buckle, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Spider-Man” comes with a second black and red rubber strap, matching the famous suit of the Marvel Super Hero.
Limited to only 250 pieces, you’re unlikely to find a Royal Oak on the wrist of Spider-man’s plucky alter ego Peter Parker, but it is clear that anyone with the luck (and the purchasing power) to own the newest AP collab with Marvel, will indeed be entrusted with the same level of great responsibility.