Pharrell Williams’ vintage Vivienne Westwood hat may have grabbed most of the fashion world’s attention at the Grammy Awards in January, but we had our eye on the real prize—his Audemars Piguet Carbone Concept tourbillon watch.
It takes a bold watch to anchor this look, and the Carbone Concept does it effortlessly. Singer, songwriter and producer Williams—who won four Grammys for his collaboration with futuristic French Duo Daft Punk and R&B legend Nile Rogers—loves his APs, but this particular hand-wound timepiece stands out because it’s the perfect union of technological innovation and old school funk. The sculpted forged carbon case houses an in-house, hand-winding movement with a linear chronograph minute counter with central sweep seconds hand, function selection indicator and power-reserve indicator.
Audemars Piguet Carbone Concept
Launched in 2008, the Concept collection has quickly gained cult status for pushing the boundaries of what haute horology can do and what it should look like. This model is a big, sturdy watch, but the forged carbon case means that it feels light on the wrist. Parts of the movement are also made of carbon, while the bezel, crown and pushers are constructed of scratchproof ceramic. Gearheads such as Williams also appreciate the futuristic 3Hz (21,600vph) escapement, which rotates inside a tourbillon carriage every 60 seconds to compensate for the effects of the Earth’s gravity. This watch is geek chic of the highest order!
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