Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer Audemars Piguet presents a new generation of Royal Oak Offshore novelties in 42mm and a new dial size in 43mm
Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore, which was designed by watch designer Emmanuel Gueit, hit the world of fine timepieces back in 1993. While it retained the Royal Oak’s aesthetic codes with its octagonal bezel and hexagonal screws, the Royal Oak Offshore defied established conventions with its dramatic case size of 42mm, a massive visible black gasket under the bezel, a rubber-clad crown and push-pieces, as well as the bracelet’s curved links. In a way, this sturdy and muscular take on the well-known Royal Oak set the trend of large-sized watches.
Over the years, the Royal Oak Offshore—nicknamed “The Beast”—also became a platform for innovation for the oldest fine watchmaking Manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families. Although retaining the muscular identity and free-spirited attitude of the original model, the latest Royal Oak Offshore collection explores broader creative dimensions manifested in new sizes and materials as well as colors.
This year, Audemars Piguet launches five new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models in 42mm—including three new models with “Petite Tapisserie” dials in bracelet and two new versions with “Mega Tapisserie” dials with rubber strap—and five new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models which premiere a new case size in 43mm. Most importantly, these new 42mm and 43mm models are all complemented with the Manufacture’s new interchangeable strap system in perfect harmony with the case’s aesthetic codes. In short, the ease and efficiency of this interchangeable system will allow its wearer to change the straps and buckles from their new timepiece themselves with a quick click and release.
The Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph in 42mm
For 2021, Audemars Piguet releases a new evolution of the original Royal Oak Offshore from 1993 with three references: in stainless steel, titanium and 18K pink gold. Although they retain the very essence of the original timepiece, the three new models in 42mm sport the Manufacture’s latest selfwinding flyback chronograph Calibre 4404, the new interchangeable strap system—the metal bracelet can be replaced with a rubber strap for a sportier look and lifestyle—and a slightly revised dial design.
Speaking about the dial, the three new models also incorporate a “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, just like the aesthetics of the original. Uniquely, despite keeping the original Royal Oak Offshore’s vertical counter display, the hour and small seconds counters have been inverted on the new timepieces. So, the hour counter is now positioned at 12 o’clock, while the small seconds counter appears at 6 o’clock. The minute counter, on the other hand, has remained at 9 o’clock, while the counters are now equidistant from the center of the dial for more visual appeal.
Furthermore, in a nod to the original watch, the gold applied AP initials and the transferred “Audemars Piguet” signature are located at 3 o’clock, while the date window has also been topped off with a loupe glass integrated into the dial to magnify the date numerals, just like in the 1993 timepiece.
The Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph in 42mm with a “Méga Tapisserie” dial
The two new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models in 42mm with the “Méga Tapisserie” dial is equipped with the latest integrated flyback chronograph movement, Calibre 4404, with the flyback function allowing the wearer to stop, reset and start the chronograph with one simple action. One of the new models come in stainless steel while the other comes in titanium, with both sporting black rubber crowns and push-pieces.
This model boasts a “Méga Tapisserie” pattern on the dial in light blue or khaki hue and a matching interchangeable textured rubber strap. The watch also presents subtle changes in dial design for augmented legibility. Case in point: The AP initials now appear at 3 o’clock without the long-form signature for a sportier look.
The Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph in 43mm
Last but not least, Audemars Piguet also unveils a new Royal Oak Offshore line in a new dial size in 43mm with five models honed in titanium, 18K pink gold or stainless steel. This new launch represents the first redesign of the Royal Oak Offshore since the evolution of the 44mm collection back in the early 2000s. While retaining the essence of the Royal Oak Offshore’s original characteristics, the design of the case and dial has evolved to offer optimum aesthetics and ergonomics.
The case combines the collection’s strong identity with a more ergonomically refined design. With the exception of the all-titanium version, the other four timepieces in the collection feature a ceramic bezel for a powerful two-tone contrast.
The Royal Oak Offshore’s “Méga Tapisserie” pattern adorning the dial—which, in turn, is available in shades of black, gray, light brown and blue—has been newly designed to offer enhanced contrast and high-end finishing. The chronograph counters have also been rearranged to improve legibility. The minute counter now appears at 9 o’clock, while the hour counter is positioned at 3 o’clock. In addition, the date window has been moved closer to the inner bezel between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the small seconds counter is at 6 o’clock.
Furthermore, the watch also presents the new Royal Oak Offshore logo adorning all new models across this 43mm Royal Oak Offshore collection. The applied gold AP initials appear without the long-form signature at 12 o’clock. The dial also features more assertive gold Royal Oak hands, adding to the watch’s powerful identity.
The Royal Oak Offshore in 43mm is driven by the Manufacture’s latest in-house integrated chronograph, Calibre 4401. This selfwinding chronograph movement is equipped with the flyback function that enables the wearer to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first.
Through these new releases, Audemars Piguet boldly re-establishes the Royal Oak Offshore’s trailblazing identity and continues to push the boundaries of the collection with its daring attitude and its strength to push even further the limits of design and creativity around the Royal Oak. All in all, the new watches released this year present contemporary evolution of the iconic design by incorporating the Manufacture’s latest integrated chronograph technology, new distinctive looks, a new interchangeable strap system and updated dial aesthetics, gearing the timeless Royal Oak Offshore for new adventures in the years to come.
Discover even more details and stories behind the Royal Oak Offshore collection through AudemarsPiguet.com
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