25 January 2024 |
Just in time for Paris Couture week.
Watch fans know that owning an Audemars Piguet is not an easy task. One simply doesn’t walk up to the boutique and find themselves buying one — at least not without some luck. But what about an haute couture-inspired timepiece? Well, that’s even trickier but for their latest with designer Tamara Ralph, it’s worth the effort. The two partnered on the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon, which made its runway debut during Paris Couture Week. To celebrate, the two held an intimate dinner last night in Paris.
Ralph’s name might be familiar — she was one half of Ralph & Russo, the couture label that dressed everyone from Beyonce to Queen Rania to Meghan Markle. In 2021, she along with her then partner Michael Russo, parted ways from the brand and in 2023, she reemerged with her own label. While she may have undergone some changes, Ralph’s relationship with Audemars Piguet has remained steady. The two have worked together for four years, creating watches that pair perfectly with her couture garments.
For their latest collaboration, the duo launched the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon Tamara Ralph, a limited edition 18-karat pink gold case topped off with frosted gold. Featuring a gradient of hues ranging from brown to bronze to gold tones, there’s also a special extra sparkly touch on the surface, jewelry designer, Carolina Bucci revisited an ancient Florentine jewelry technique. for this piece, creating little crevices that result in a shimmer effect, reminiscent of precious stones. To round it out, a sprinkle of actual diamonds, 19 brilliant cut ones, finish off the face.
To properly celebrate such a glamorous watch, the two gathered up a select group for a dinner at Hôtel Potocki. With an evening filled with champagne toasts, guests dined on delicious bites before the surprise moment of the evening — a performance by Rita Ora. See images of the watch as well as the dinner below.
