Nick Kenyon
When it was first announced that Audemars Piguet and Marvel would be collaborating on a watch, social media lit up with criticism of the project. Yet only a couple of months later, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon has been seen on the wrists of more taste makers than you can name, including superstars like?Lebron James and Neymar Jr. Now, world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has joined the fun, posting an unboxing video of the watch on his Instagram.The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon is the most compact expression of the Royal Oak Concept collection we’ve seen, with a titanium case measuring a comparatively modest 42mm in diameter. The real star of the show, however, is the dial that not only features an exposed tourbillon at 6 o’clock, but also a hand-engraved Black Panther figure at the top of the dial.Joshua described the watch on his Instagram stories as a “MARVEL – OUS TIME PIECE”, laboured pun clearly intended. While the stories have now disappeared from the champion fighter’s profile, the quick thinking team at WatchPro saved the video and put it on YouTube, which you can watch below.While the watch is one of the more creative expressions of haute horlogy from the last few years, the box that the watch arrives in doesn’t disappoint. As Joshua moves to open the lid of the box, the top lights up with the same purple geometric motif that we find on the watch.The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon is limited to 250 pieces, costing CHF150,000 each. Audemars Piguet also produced a unique example of the collaboration watch, which was auctioned in April for US$5.2M, the proceeds of which were donated to charities working to improve the education of disadvantaged children.
11.06.21