Introducing the New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Yoon and Verbal

Audemars Piguet has unveiled the new Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon in collaboration with Yoon and Verbal, the co-founders of multidisciplinary design label Ambush and two of contemporary culture’s most influential tastemakers.

Limited to 150 pieces, this 38.5mm titanium timepiece arrives with interchangeable black and red rubber straps adorned with a quilt-like “micro-mosaic” motif. Its black aventurine dial is paired with blackened 18k white gold hands filled with grey luminescent material, framing an anodized flying tourbillon that appears suspended in midair. Secured only from below, the regulating organ embodies the illusion of weightlessness that defines the flying tourbillon complication.

Further enhancing the watch’s technical allure, the openworked dial offers glimpses of the barrel and the intricate gear train responsible for transmitting energy throughout the movement. The sandblasted, satin-brushed, and polished titanium case is complemented by a black ceramic crown fitted with a titanium chip, underscoring the Royal Oak Concept collection’s futuristic aesthetic language.

Powering the watch is the new Caliber 2982, a movement measuring 29.5mm in diameter and 6mm thick, while delivering a minimum power reserve of 72 hours. The caliber is derived from the tried-and-tested Caliber 2964 that powered earlier Royal Oak Concept models, albeit refined here for a more compact and contemporary execution.

Marking this partnership between Audemars Piguet and the Ambush founders, the caseback has been engraved with the inscriptions “Audemars Piguet”, “Y/V”, and “Limited Edition”.

A Brief History of Ambush

Founded in 2008 in Tokyo by Yoon Ahn and Verbal, Ambush began as an experimental jewelry project shaped by hip-hop, pop art, and Japanese street culture. The label first captured global attention with its oversized “POW!” pendant, which was a playful, comic book-inspired creation also introduced in 2008 that gradually found its way into the jewelry collections of celebrities such as Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. By the early 2010s, Ambush had distinguished itself through its ability to transform ordinary objects into futuristic luxury accessories: safety pins evolved into elegant jewelry, industrial clips became sculptural earrings, and heavy chains were exaggerated into bold design statements.

Over time, the brand expanded beyond jewelry into ready-to-wear collections that fused Tokyo streetwear sensibilities with luxury fashion. The result was an aesthetic that felt simultaneously rebellious and refined, helping propel Ambush onto the international stage. Milestones soon followed, including making its official Paris Fashion Week runway debut in 2015, opening a flagship store in Tokyo in 2016, and becoming a finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2017.

Collaboration has also remained central to Ambush’s cultural influence. The brand has partnered with names such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, Converse, Bulgari, and Dior, often merging utilitarian sportswear codes with avant-garde silhouettes. Its Nike collaborations—particularly reimaginings of the Dunk High and Air Max 180—became especially coveted within sneaker culture. Meanwhile, Yoon Ahn’s appointment in 2018 as jewelry director for Dior Men under Kim Jones further cemented Ambush’s standing within high fashion.

Beyond fashion alone, Ambush came to embody a broader cultural convergence between luxury, music, streetwear, and technology. Even after selling a majority stake to New Guards Group in 2020, Yoon and Verbal regained independence in 2025, signaling a renewed chapter focused on experimentation, digital creativity, and cross-disciplinary innovation.