Pre-SIHH 2018: Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Offshore 25th Anniversary models. In 2018, Audemars Piguet will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced at Baselworld 1993. As a preview of the novelties that will be showcased at the upcoming SIHH 2018 (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie), Audemars Piguet is now presenting three new versions of the iconic sports watch. The re-edition (ref. 26237ST.OO.1000ST.01) of the first Royal Oak Offshore features a 42 mm stainless steel case. Further to the re-edition, Audemars Piguet introduces a new special series available in either stainless steel (ref. 26421ST.OO.A002CA.01) or rose gold (ref. 26421OR.OO.A002CA.01).
In 2018 Audemars Piguet will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced at Baselworld 1993.
The Offshore was designed to cater the tastes of sport enthusiasts and young people. In fact, the designer of the Offshore - Emmanuel Gueit - was just 22 year old when he was given the task.
The concept behind this model was the “deconstructed” approach to the timepiece, intended to reveal how it was built and its key elements, like the the massive visible black gasket on the bezel. The case had a size of 42 mm, a normal size today but shock at the time, which brought the watch to be nicknamed "The Beast".
While a lot of purists were disappointed when the new model was introduced (including Gerald Genta himself, the creator of the original Royal Oak), the Offshore turned out to be a great success with more than 120 references launched since then.
As a preview of the novelties that will be showcased at the upcoming SIHH 2018 (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie), Audemars Piguet is now presenting three new versions of the iconic sport watch: an accurate re-edition of the original Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, as well as two versions of the completely new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph. These commemorative models will be produced in three limited editions of just 50 pieces each.
The re-edition (ref. 26237ST.OO.1000ST.01) of the first Royal Oak Offshore features a 42 mm stainless steel case with blue rubber-clad pushpieces and screw-locked crown to guarantee water resistance to 100 metres / 330 feet. Its solid caseback is engraved with the "Royal Oak Offshore" logo in the center.
The AR-coated sapphire crystal protects a blue dial with "Petite Tapisserie" pattern, blue counters, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, blue inner bezel.
The movement of choice is the Swiss automatic Audemars-Piguet calibre 3126/3840 beating at 21,600 vph and offering a power reserve of 50 hours.
Further to the re-edition, Audemars Piguet introduces a new special series available in either stainless steel (ref. 26421ST.OO.A002CA.01) or rose gold (ref. 26421OR.OO.A002CA.01). Somehow inspired by the previous Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (ref. 26388PO and 26288OR), the two models feature bold design details - the bezel first and foremost - along with an entirely redesigned movement developed for the occasion.
While the combination of materials is typical of the Royal Oak Offshore models, the crown and pushpieces are now crafted in ceramic instead of metal and rubber.
Measuring 45 mm, the case is water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet and features double AR-coated sapphire crystals and sandblasted titanium pushpiece guards.
The two new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph models are powered by the hand-wound in-house calibre 2947 beating at 21,600 vph with a remarkable power reserve of 7 days. Functions are: hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph with 30 minute counter, tourbillon. audemarspiguet.com
Suggested reading:
- History of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
The Offshore was designed to cater the tastes of sport enthusiasts and young people. In fact, the designer of the Offshore - Emmanuel Gueit - was just 22 year old when he was given the task.
The concept behind this model was the “deconstructed” approach to the timepiece, intended to reveal how it was built and its key elements, like the the massive visible black gasket on the bezel. The case had a size of 42 mm, a normal size today but shock at the time, which brought the watch to be nicknamed "The Beast".
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph - 1993
The re-edition (ref. 26237ST.OO.1000ST.01) of the first Royal Oak Offshore features a 42 mm stainless steel case with blue rubber-clad pushpieces and screw-locked crown to guarantee water resistance to 100 metres / 330 feet. Its solid caseback is engraved with the "Royal Oak Offshore" logo in the center.
The AR-coated sapphire crystal protects a blue dial with "Petite Tapisserie" pattern, blue counters, white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, blue inner bezel.
The movement of choice is the Swiss automatic Audemars-Piguet calibre 3126/3840 beating at 21,600 vph and offering a power reserve of 50 hours.
Further to the re-edition, Audemars Piguet introduces a new special series available in either stainless steel (ref. 26421ST.OO.A002CA.01) or rose gold (ref. 26421OR.OO.A002CA.01). Somehow inspired by the previous Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (ref. 26388PO and 26288OR), the two models feature bold design details - the bezel first and foremost - along with an entirely redesigned movement developed for the occasion.
Measuring 45 mm, the case is water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet and features double AR-coated sapphire crystals and sandblasted titanium pushpiece guards.
The two new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph models are powered by the hand-wound in-house calibre 2947 beating at 21,600 vph with a remarkable power reserve of 7 days. Functions are: hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph with 30 minute counter, tourbillon. audemarspiguet.com
Suggested reading:
- History of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Maybe need to see them in the metal but at the moment I am confused by the design of the two tourbillon models.
ReplyDeleteHard to judge without seeing the watch on the wrist. For sure it is a bold move. Maybe they want to taste the market.
ReplyDelete