When you see an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy reference 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01, the first thing that comes to mind is 'The Governor' Arnold Schwarzenegger screaming: "Get to da choppa" as he played Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer in the 1987 action film Predator. Originally released in 2011, the AP Legacy is the last watch made in honor of Arnold Schwarzenegger by Audemars Piguet.
While the relationship between Schwarzenegger and AP didn't last as long as we expected based on the numerous watch releases, there were several great looking APs released in his honor. The first one and our second favorite, is the 500-piece Royal Oak Offshore 'End of Days' Limited Edition ref. 25770SN.OO.0001.KE.01 released in 1999 and meant to be the first AP to be worn by Schwarzenegger in the film 'End of Days'. However, it is important to clarify that the actual watch that Arnold Schwarzenegger wore while shooting the movie is part of a special run of four pieces under reference number 25770SN.OO.0001.AR.01. Additionally, there is also an 'End of Days' unique piece ref. 25770SN.OO.0050.AR.01 fitted with a yellow Kevlar aramid fiber strap that was kept by Arnold Schwarzenegger after shooting the movie and 15 more unnumbered pieces under ref. 25922SN.
After the successful release in 1999 of the Royal Oak Offshore 'End of Days'—which is now one of the most iconic APs out there—, Audemars Piguet also released two 18K yellow gold 42 mm Royal Oak Offshores with Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature on the case back. The first one reference 26007BA2.OO.D088CR.01 in a 400-piece limited edition and the second one, reference 26027BA in an unnumbered 20-piece limited edition.
Shortly after, the Royal Oak Offshore T3 Chronograph ref. 25863TI.00.A001CU.01 was released in 2004 in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. This massive watch with a titanium case measuring 48 mm in diameter was the celebratory piece for Arnold's blockbuster "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines". With its pusher guards and crown guard resembling a set of brass knuckles, this is a watch that only the Governor himself could wear.
Later and a few years before the Legacy was released, AP presented the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger 'Arnold's All-Stars After-School Adventures' in 18K rose gold and in a 350-piece limited edition.
But Audemars Piguet saved the best for last releasing the Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy in a 1,500-piece limited edition in 2011. This fascinating watch, that marks the end of the relationship between Schwarzenegger and AP is fitted with a robust black ceramic case measuring 48 mm and equipped with a black ceramic bezel and 18K rose gold chrono pushers and crown insert. However, what makes this watch more impressive and more robust than its predecessors, are the titanium crown and pusher guards like those on the 44 mm Royal Oak Offshores and the titanium case protectors on the left case band.
As far as the dial, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy sports a black dial with Méga Tapisserie pattern, black counters with rose gold surrounds, rose gold applied Arabic numerals, rose gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating and rose gold colored tachymetric scale flange. The color combination is out of this world and just as the icing on the cake, the red hands on the chrono registers and running seconds provide just the right amount of contrast.
Equipped with an anthracite —dark greenish grey— Kevlar aramide fiber strap and with an oversized titanium pin buckle, the AP Legacy is ready to take on any challenge and any Terminator related activites. Additionally, the Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy was sold including an additional black alligator strap for dressier occasions.
Powered by the Audemars Piguet 50-jewel automatic calibre 2326/2840 with a power reserve of 38 hours, this special watch is equipped with a solid titanium case back engraved with "Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy" at the center, "Royal Oak Offshore" around the top and "Limited Edition" around the bottom.
On the wrist, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy wears true to its size and with impeccable wrist presence. A rising icon that gets even better as you wear it and scream: 'get to da choppa!'. Without a doubt this is a rare bird that is worth more than two in the bush.
Sticker Price $29,000-35,000 USD depending on condition and availability of box and papers. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
