Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph 42mm (1993)
Audemars Piguet unveils the new evolution of the original Royal Oak Offshore in 1993
Swiss high-end watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet released a new evolution of the original Royal Oak Offshore in 1993, which includes three materials: stainless steel, titanium metal or 18 carat rose gold. Although the three 42mm watches retain the essence of the original timepiece, they are equipped with the latest automatic winding flyback chronograph from the watch factory, a new interchangeable strap system and a slightly modified dial design. The sapphire caseback has also returned, bringing extraordinary vision to the hand-made integrated chronograph.
Constantly improving performance
Three new Royal Oak Offshore watches are equipped with a new self-winding integrated chronograph Calibre 4404, equipped with a column wheel and flyback function.
Unlike ordinary chronographs, the flyback function allows the wearer to stop, reset and start the chronograph with a simple action. The column wheel and the vertical clutch system work together. When the chronograph is started or stopped, the hands will react accordingly without any signs of beating. In addition, the button feels smooth when pressed. The patented reset mechanism ensures that each counter pointer instantly resets to zero.
The extraordinary vision of the 4404 movement
This new evolution has an anti-glare sapphire back cover that shows the internal workings of Calibre 4404, including its column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammer when the chronograph function is activated.
The audience can also admire the special 22-carat rose gold oscillating weight and exquisite hand-crafted decoration of the movement, including “Côtes de Genève”, satin-brushed and polished chamfers.
Reinterpreted in stainless steel, rose gold or titanium
The new Royal Oak Offshore watch offers stainless steel and two new case options: one is titanium and the other is 18-carat rose gold. Audemars Piguet released a previous model made entirely of titanium in 2004 (reference number 25721TI), which was the first evolution of its 18-carat rose gold “Petite Tapisserie” watch. The cases and bracelets of these three timepieces are hand-decorated alternately with the manufacturer’s signature satin brushed and polished chamfers.
The stainless steel and rose gold models have blue rubber buttons and crowns, as well as blue rubber gaskets that seal the bezel to the case. In contrast, the crown, washers and buttons of a titanium timepiece are made of black rubber.
Unique design combining past and present
Three new Royal Oak Offshore watches are faithful to the original aesthetics, incorporating the “Petite Tapisserie” pattern. The stainless steel model uses the iconic blue dial of the Royal Oak Offshore in 1993. This color is called “Night Blue, Cloud 50” in the archives of the watch factory. The rose gold reference model highlights the “Night Blue, Cloud 50” dial, with a rose gold timing counter that echoes the color of the precious case. Last but not least, the titanium version is decorated with a light gray dial, a black counter and a black inner bezel are more prominent.
Although the timepiece retains the original Royal Oak Offshore Vertical Chronograph, the hours and small seconds have been inverted: the hour counter is now at 12 o’clock and the small seconds appears at 6 o’clock. For its part, the minute counter remains at the 9 o’clock position. In addition, all counters are now equidistant from the center of the dial to increase visual appeal.
To pay tribute to the original watch, the gold application AP initials and the transferred “Audemars Piguet” signature are located at 3 o’clock. The date window also uses a magnifying glass integrated in the dial to magnify the date numbers, just like the 1993 timepiece.
Interchangeable bracelet and strap
These new models complement the factory’s new interchangeable strap system-appearing on metal bracelets for the first time. Interchangeability has been directly integrated into the buckle and the rivets of the case, perfectly blending with the aesthetic criteria of the case.
Customers can easily and efficiently replace the bracelet and buckle of a new timepiece with a quick click and release, while the double push system provides the best safety when wearing the watch on the wrist.
The metal bracelet can be replaced with a rubber strap for a more sporty look and lifestyle, because the latest 42mm version is equipped with a second interchangeable rubber strap-the stainless steel and rose gold versions are blue; the black one Titanium sheet. Completely waterproof, when wearing a rubber strap, these three models can travel to a depth of 100 meters underwater.
The 42mm Royal Oak Offshore 2021 Interchangeable Strap Series also includes light blue and khaki textured rubber straps, as well as black calfskin straps.
A more modern but timeless watch
The Royal Oak Offshore watch designed by Emmanuel Gueit emerged in the high-end watch industry in 1993. Although its octagonal bezel and hexagonal screws retain the Royal Oak’s aesthetic guidelines, the Royal Oak Offshore challenged established traditions with its amazing 42mm case size. Below the bezel can be seen a huge black washer, rubber-coated crown and buttons, and the curved links of the bracelet. Nicknamed “The Beast”, this sturdy and muscular Royal Oak watch leads the trend of large-scale watches. Over time, the Royal Oak Offshore has become an innovation platform, with a large number of new materials, case sizes, complications and colors, while still being faithful to the timeless design of the original model.
In 2013, the original Royal Oak Offshore watch underwent a major redesign for the first time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the watch. This limited edition of 20 pieces (No. 26218) is equipped with Calibre 3126/3840, which was first introduced in the Royal Oak Offshore series in 2006 (No. 26170). This watch is also equipped with a sapphire back cover, allowing you to have a glance at the self-winding mechanical movement handmade inside. This piece also witnessed the extraordinary return of the “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, which decorated the original Royal Oak and was used in the Royal Oak Offshore series for the last time in 2008.
The Royal Oak Offshore has undergone another design evolution in 2018 for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the series. As the last anniversary timepiece, this watch uses the original “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, marking its official return to the Royal Oak Offshore Core Collection. The 2018 edition is another tribute to the original timepiece, with the words “Royal Oak Offshore” engraved on its solid caseback. However, this special edition presents subtle differences in dial aesthetics, especially the logo renamed in 2012 and the unified layout of the entire dial.
The latest fake watches uk released this year adopts the manufacturer’s latest integrated chronograph technology, interchangeable strap system and slightly updated dial aesthetics, once again improving this iconic timepiece, as a timeless Royal Oak offshore watch Provide continuously improved performance and efficiency.
