Pre SIHH 2018 Audemars Piguet: 25 Years of the Royal Oak Offshore

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s iconic watch, the Royal Oak Offshore. The brand released the timepiece in the 1990s as a sportier and more aggressive version of the legendary Royal Oak watch from the 1970s. To celebrate the occasion, the Le Brassus Manufacture has unveiled three new pre SIHH 2018 Audemars Piguet models to add to the collection. The models include a special re-edition of the original Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, plus two different iterations of a brand new Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph featuring a modern watch face.

First launched in 1993, this unmistakable timepiece has since become the chosen partner on the wrist for many an haute horology connoisseur. With over 120 different versions since its release, this octagonal sports watch — sized at 42 mm in diameter — has come in such materials as stainless steel, titanium, gold, and platinum. For 2018, stainless steel and 18-carat pink gold are making a come back, as is a couple of larger 45 mm models.

Pre SIHH 2018 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Re-edition

A re-release of the original Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, the Ref. 26237ST.OO.1000ST.01 is a glistening all-steel watch beautifully paired with a complementary cobalt blue dial. Featuring the signature eight-sided bezel with visible hexagonal screws, this iteration of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph boasts a protected screw-locked crown at 3 o’clock between two push-buttons, all of which are rubber-clad in blue to match the watch face.

AP’s beloved “Petite Tapisserie” pattern adorns the dial, as do three blue sub-dials at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock and a date window at the 3 o’clock mark. White gold applied hour-markers stand out against the watch face, as well as the timepiece’s central Royal Oak hands, which are coated with luminescence for improved legibility. Rounding off the dial’s monochromatic design, a blue inner bezel holds the watch’s tachymeter scale, which is indicated via the watch’s central extra-thin, white chronograph hand.

The self-winding Caliber 3126/3840 powers the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Re-edition. Boasting a 22k gold rotor, this movement beats at a frequency of 3Hz or 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers the wearer a power reserve of 50 hours. A virtual match to the original model, this re-release confirms the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph as a timeless classic.

Pre SIHH 2018 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph

Inspired by the previous Tourbillon Chronograph edition of the Royal Oak Offshore, the new stainless steel (ref. 26421ST.OO.A002CA.01) and 18-carat pink gold (ref. 26421OR.OO.A002CA.01) models feature an entirely redesigned movement and updated watch face. Created exclusively to mark the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, these special edition pieces are limited to a run of just 50 units each. As such, these watches boast particularly desirable additional materials, such as a crown and push-button crafted in black ceramic, and sandblasted titanium or pink gold push-button guards.

Respecting AP’s signature octagonal design, this 45 mm timepiece reinvents the bezel we’ve come to expect with a Royal Oak Offshore, thanks to a thinner approach and the interior placement of the screws. Plus, featuring an ultra-contemporary skeletonized black dial design — that includes white gold or pink gold hour-markers depending on the model — these new Tourbillon Chronographs speaks to the brand’s boldness.

Powered by the hand-wound Caliber 2947, this movement offers up a tourbillon complication, as well as chronograph, 30-minute, seconds, hours and minutes functionality. Beating at a frequency of 3Hz or 21,600 vibrations per hour, it also promises an incredible 173-hour power reserve. Both editions are paired with a black rubber strap giving the watch a robust and sporty look despite the elegance of the dial’s architecture.

Taking place January 15 – 19, 2018, in Geneva Switzerland, SIHH is the year’s first large-scale luxury watch fair. Joining Audemars Piguet will be other Richemont brands such as Cartier, Panerai, A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Furthermore, SIHH will also host other non-Richemont brands such as Ulysse Nardin, Richard Mille, and DeWitt. We’ll be bringing you the best novelties from the exhibition, so stay tuned.