Marvel at the Audemars Piguet ‘Black Panther’ Watch Heading to Auction
It is one of only 250 made in collaboration with the media franchise and could sell for up to $650,000.
In April, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Flying Tourbillon as part of a new partnership between the storied manufacturer and Marvel.
The brand first debuted the Concept watch in 2002 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak, one of its most iconic models created in partnership with influential watch designer Gérald Genta.
The Concept models gave the watch an avant-garde update, and the “Blank Panther” Flying Tourbillon has indeed kept with the revolutionary aesthetics for which they are known.
The watch takes its name and images from the Marvel Comics character Black Panther (real name T’Challa), who is the king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda.
It features a laser-cut white gold figure of Black Panther, hand-painted with such detail, he seems ready to jump off the watch. It takes one of Audemars Piguet’s craftsmen 30 hours of work to complete the Black Panther figure.
The vivid purple and black tones of the watch are also in keeping with the character’s color scheme.
When the Black Panther Concept model was unveiled this spring, a special white gold edition was sold at a celebrity-studded event to raise money for two charities, eventually selling for $5.2 million.
The brand also made 250 editions of it in titanium, and now one of them is heading to auction, making it the first to do so.
It’s expected to sell for between $380,000 and $650,000 in “Watches Online: The Marvelous Sale,” which runs now through Sept. 7 on Christies.com.
See: 3 Gérald Genta Watches
The watch auction also features several other designs from Genta.
This includes an Audemars Piguet Tropical Dial Royal Oak Ref. 5402ST “A Series” with the rare tropical dial. Only 2,000 examples of the series were produced before the watch brand moved into Series B.
There’s also the Gérald Genta platinum Minute Repeater with a green guilloché dial and platinum case, as well as two indications often associated with Genta—jumping hours and retrograde minutes—and a Patek Philippe Steel Nautilus with Date Ref. 5711/1A-001 with a 40 mm stainless steel case, black/blue dial, automatic movement, and stainless-steel bracelet.
See: Other Highlights in the “Watches Online” Auction
Other highlights include a Patek Philippe Chronograph Ref. 1579R in a pink gold case, of which there are only 82 known examples.
There’s also a Patek Philippe Platinum Minute Repeater Tourbillon Ref. 3939 with two high complications—a two-gong minute repeater and a tourbillon escapement—34 mm platinum case, and a black enamel dial, and a rare pink gold Rolex Ref. 8171 “Padellone,” one of only six examples to feature the “HL Mark II Officially Certified Chronometer” type dial.
The Latest
Consumers today are looking for a little escape, and jewelry is the perfect avenue to provide it, presenters at the Vicenzaoro show said.
The “Extraordinary Lovers” collection features engagement rings with enamel scenes inspired by art and mythology.
BIPOC designers can apply for a spot in the mentorship program’s third cohort until Oct. 8.
Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
The luxury giant recently completed its acquisition of the Italian jewelry brand.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship provides tuition help to aspiring bench jewelers.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
The lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.
Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.
The actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.
The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.
Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
The new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.
The company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.
Its next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
The artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.
The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.
The jewelry giant said it expects to see an uptick in engagements in the second half of the year.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
The brand is celebrating its upcoming 55th anniversary with modern designs that pay tribute to its history.
He, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.
Those interested can apply online now through Nov. 15.
Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.
The smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini, only available at Adalina in Chicago, is served with a 9-carat diamond tennis necklace.
Scheduled for Sept. 25, the online-only event will be open to non-AGS members this year, for a fee.
Customers in more than 150 countries can now shop at the jewelry retailer’s online store.