The Royal Oak Gets the AMBUSH Treatment

There’s no denying that Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak continues to reign supreme in the world of haute horology. And it’s easy to see why. Designed by Gérald Genta, its signature octagonal bezel with exposed screws introduced a radical visual language when it first appeared in 1972.

More than fifty years later, that design continues to resonate far beyond the world of collectors, becoming a cultural canvas for artists, musicians, and designers. Among its contemporary admirers are Yoon Ahn and Verbal, the co-founders of fashion brand AMBUSH.

Known for their boundary-pushing designs at the intersection of fashion and music, the duo have unveiled their own interpretation of the Royal Oak in collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Founded in Tokyo in 2008, AMBUSH’s approach reflects co-founder Verbal’s background as a hip-hop artist, and has attracted fans including A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams.

For them, the project is less about redesigning an icon and more about translating its energy. “Creativity is always in motion,” explains Ahn. “You keep evolving, regenerating, and moving forward, so the design of this limited edition had to follow that energy. For me, it was about balance, about creating something truly universal that anyone could connect with.”

The result is a 38.5mm limited edition of just 150 pieces, defined by contrast and intensity. A black aventurine dial evokes a deep, star-like texture, while a vivid red flying tourbillon brings a striking focal point at its core. The composition is bold but controlled, balancing visual drama with architectural precision.

Verbal describes the use of red as central to the concept. “Red has always been a powerful colour for us, while the tourbillon cage represents the heart of the watch – the force that keeps everything in motion. Red evokes the Earth’s core: the origin point, the source of energy and, ultimately, the beginning of how we measure time itself.”

Inside, the Calibre 2982 powers the watch, as an openworked movement reveals its mechanical architecture. The design leaves bridges, gears, and structural components visible, reinforcing the Royal Oak’s long-standing philosophy of turning engineering into aesthetic expression.

With its sharp lines and exposed hardware, the Royal Oak channels an aesthetic that draws more from Bauhaus principles than traditional watchmaking. It celebrates engineering as beauty in its own right, treating function not as something to hide, but as something to elevate into design.

Under the guidance of AMBUSH’s founders, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon amplifies this philosophy. It evolves not by changing what it is, but by absorbing new creative perspectives while remaining true to its core identity.

Discover the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon by Yoon Ahn and Verbal at audemarspiguet.com.