Balance & Bridge Team
- Dec 3, 2023
- 3 min read

Introducing: Audemars Piguet x Cactus Jack Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Limited Edition

Travis Scott in the AP x Cactus Jack Royal Oak - Image Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

The Audemars Piguet x Cactus Jack Royal Oak

Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, renowned for its Haute Horlogerie creations, has unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with Cactus Jack, the brand founded by American hip-hop artist Travis Scott. The result of this partnership is the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked "Cactus Jack" Limited Edition, a 41 mm masterpiece crafted in brown ceramic—a first-of-its-kind material for Audemars Piguet. This limited edition timepiece seamlessly combines classic complications with contemporary materials, reflecting Audemars Piguet's bold and free-spirited approach to watchmaking.

A Fusion of Universes

Audemars Piguet x Cactus Jack - Image Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet has a rich history of cultivating creative synergies with various realms, including sports, pop culture, art, and entertainment. Notable collaborations with figures like Jay-Z and LeBron James have solidified the brand's presence in pop and hip-hop culture. Now, in a collaboration with Cactus Jack, Audemars Piguet has produced a timepiece that intricately weaves together the aesthetic codes of both brands.

The Chocolate AP

Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked "Cactus Jack" Limited Edition - Image Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

Nicknamed "The Chocolate AP" by Travis Scott, this Royal Oak model introduces brown ceramic—a signature color for Cactus Jack. The 41 mm case and bracelet studs showcase this light and scratch-resistant material, achieved through a meticulous process involving yttrium-stabilized Zirconium Oxide powder. The sintering process at over 1000°C imparts the final chocolate color, and each component undergoes careful finishing by hand to achieve Audemars Piguet's trademark alternation of satin-brushed surfaces and polished chamfers.

The sapphire dial reveals the openworked architecture of the Calibre 5135 movement, blending rhodium-toned and pink-gold-toned components. The movement features transparent subdials at 9, 12, and 3 o'clock, revealing parts of the intricate mechanism. Luminescent coatings on various elements, including the moon phase indication and hands, add a captivating glow in the dark—a nod to Cactus Jack's distinct visual style.

Design Elements and Collaborative Touches

To commemorate the collaboration, design elements throughout the timepiece pay homage to Cactus Jack's graphics. The typography of the calendar and week indications is specially crafted based on Travis Scott's hand-drawn model. The moon phase at 6 o'clock replaces the traditional representation with Cactus Jack's emblematic smiley face, its luminescent coating glowing blue in the dark. Other calendar indications, excluding the week indication, emit a green luminescent glow, creating a unique and captivating luminous effect.

A textured calfskin leather strap, exclusive to this edition, is paired with a pink gold folding clasp engraved with the signatures of "Audemars Piguet" and "Travis Scott." The caseback bears engravings such as "Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar," "Limited Edition of 200 Pieces," and "Utopia is a state of mind," referencing Travis Scott's latest album.

The Heart of Innovation: Calibre 5135

Powering this limited edition timepiece is the selfwinding Calibre 5135. This movement automatically adjusts for the number of days in a month, including leap years, ensuring accurate date displays. With full winding, the date requires no manual correction until the year 2100, at which point it will need adjustment to align with the Gregorian calendar's intricacies.

Craftsmanship Unveiled

The brown ceramic and sapphire caseback offer a view of the Calibre 5135's refined decorations, showcasing circular satin, satin brushing, sandblasting, sunray brushing, and polished chamfers. The stamped openworked 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight bears the double signatures of "Audemars Piguet" and "Cactus Jack," with the latter's logo at the center—a testament to the collaboration's intersection of diverse universes.

The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked "Cactus Jack" Limited Edition exemplifies Audemars Piguet's ability to push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. This collaboration not only captures the essence of two iconic brands but also represents a bold fusion of classic complications and contemporary design, creating a timepiece that stands as a testament to both innovation and artistic expression.

Learn More at Audemars Piguet

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Balance & Bridge