For its 30th anniversary, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is satiny black ceramic with touches of yellow accents.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore was known as “The Beast” when it was first launched in 1993, and it remains true to its nickname.
A burly 42mm in diameter, with exposed rubber gasket and rubber on the crown and pushers to boot, the stainless steel chronograph of “extreme” proportions was initially received with more than a little trepidation.
Unlike its 1972 predecessor’s classic proportions, this radical new design certainly pushed the envelope in terms of size (comically oversized), materials (rubber and steel), and design (in-your-face geometry).
With its ultra-macho aesthetic, it seemed fitting that none other than action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger was entrusted with the first special edition of the collection, which was released in 1999 for his film End of Days. It was an immediate success, projecting the Offshore collection into the limelight and launching a tradition of special editions.
No one could quite predict its meteoric rise as a cultural touchstone, kicking off a long tradition of collaborations with big names in the worlds of sport, music, and entertainment, including Michael Schumacher and Jay-Z.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the collection, Audemars Piguet has released a limited edition of 500 pieces of a black ceramic version accented with yellow details.
Presented in a marginally bigger 43mm case, this edition is made entirely of black ceramic with the addition of titanium details, such as the studs, push-pieces and case back. This new reference is powered by the Manufacture’s latest self winding chronograph movement, Calibre 4401, which is fully integrated with a column wheel and flyback function.
As a nod to the black and yellow aesthetic of the original 1999 model, the new Offshore features a black dial decorated with the new-generation Mega Tapisserie pattern and is illuminated with touches of yellow on the tachymeter scale, as well as on the hour markers and the blackened white 3 gold hands enhanced with yellow luminescent coating.
The Swiss Manufacture once again reveals its mastery of the ceramic material with its beautiful vertical-grain casing, with each component then pre-polished and pre-satin-finished. Lines, angles and bevels are painstakingly hand-finished to achieve the Manufacture’s signature alternating polished and satin surfaces.
This new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph model comes with a black calfskin strap featuring a textile effect and yellow stitching. Thanks to the watch’s integrated interchangeable system, the owner can easily change his or her strap for a yellow calfskin version with black stitching.
Images courtesy of Audemars Piguet, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related Links:
Understanding the Luxury Steel Sports Watch
The Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet: Beginning of a New Legacy
