Music creation is an endless adventure; it is a path for artists to embark on to pursue their dreams and to demonstrate their courage to explore the unknown. After the last collaboration with Hong Kong independent artist Tyson Yoshi, Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet continued its Mini Music Series with Hypebeast through a second iteration. This time, they worked with the fast-rising ‘Prince of Alternative R&B’ from Taiwan — The Crane, to challenge himself and demonstrate the boundless potential of music production.
The Crane’s career as a musician has been an adventurous journey full of changes and challenges. From being a member of an indie band, to behind-the-scenes producer and finally a singer, The Crane released his debut solo album “Talent,” which gained him fame and received multiple music award nominations. The Crane’s musical style is unique and innovative. He blends bedroom pop, lo-fi hip hop and 70’s R&B to create his own distinctive musical language.
For the second part of Audemars Piguet’s Mini Music Series, The Crane rearranged “PRINCESS,” the top hit track from his first solo album “Talent.” A group of musicians were invited to join this music project, together they transformed the song from original upbeat rhythm to an ethereal and dream-like melodic remedy. For the first time, a hand pan artist, Chor Lai, collaborated with guitarist Shaoen Lo and drummer Woody Wu to bring in an additional spacey drum element to the whole arrangement. The Crane’s charismatic live voice combined with an unconventional instrumental melody and rhythm, revives the original light R&B style, providing a novel sensation.
Watch “The Crane” perform the new live version of “Princess” now.
As Seen On The Crane
The Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet featured on the wrist of The Crane is a reference launched earlier this year. The new embossed dial in a vibrant purple hue shows off a striking gradient pattern made up of concentric circles, enhanced by numerous small dimples that create a three-dimensional effect.
This latest model is the first self-winding 38 mm watch in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. Although the proportions of the watch have been rethought, it retains the collection’s distinctive aesthetic codes, including the emblematic octagonal case middle, expertly placed between the extra-thin bezel and the round caseback. The watch’s automatic calibre 5900, which is only 4mm thick, is visible through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback.
As Seen On The Band
The band members are sporting the new 41 mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding watches and Selfwinding Chronographs in stainless steel. This new collection comprises six styles — four in steel and two in a combination of black ceramic and steel, all finished with an alternation of polishing and satin brushing. Each reference also incorporates the collection’s new design evolution, including the new embossed dial pattern highlighted here in blue, green, and beige shades. The numerals found on previous references have been replaced by longer hour-markers in polished white gold, enriched with luminescent material to read the time in the dark.
The watches are driven by the latest-generation movements: Calibre 4302 with seconds and date indication and Calibre 4401, an integrated selfwinding chronograph movement with a column wheel and flyback function. The special 22-carat pink gold rotor, which has been openworked to reveal the movement’s inner workings, can be seen through the sapphire crystal on the back of the case.
You can find out more about Audemars Piguet on the brand’s official website.