Just launched a few months ago, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470PT.OO.1000PT.01 in platinum is one of the heaviest watches we've ever reviewed. With a total weight only 23 grams short of a full pound —total weight of this watch is 431.9 grams—, this is also one of the most special watches ever made by AP. Released in a 50-piece limited edition, this is the first Royal Oak Offshore watch in platinum that doesn't feature a blue dial which is the common 'tell tale' when it comes to limited edition platinum Royal Oak Offshores.
Things you Need to Know
Fitted with a smoked grey dial with 'mega tapisserie' that is a true chameleon depending on lighting conditions, the platinum Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470PT is not only very unique looking but also extremely masculine thanks to its 'fumé' dial. Without a doubt, this is the type of watch that you either love or hate as the color of the dial is definitely not for everyone and one that could be quite polarizing. Fitted with a 42 mm case in 950 platinum and a matching bracelet in the same metal, the watch is ultra heavy unlike anything else you've ever tried on or worn. For those of you familiar with the AP 'brick' or 'the pounder', this watch is even heavier than those two.
With a very monochromatic color scheme, the dial features black chrono registers, black flange and black Arabic numerals. To round out the design and remain somewhat inconspicuous, the date disc is black.
As far as the pushers and crown, these are made of black ceramic and the case construction features the redesigned crown guards that were introduced at the SIHH 2015.
While the bracelet features the same construction and design as all other Royal Oak Offshore bracelets, the inside of the buckle has been slightly redesigned with a much thinner construction that is more like that on the Royal Oak bracelets.
Additionally, the platinum Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470PT comes with a supplementary grey alligator strap with 'bottier' finishing, platinum plots and platinum pin buckle to do the conversion from bracelet to strap. The 'bottier' finishing of the alligator leather strap involves giving a lustered and patinated finish to make the strap look somewhat vintage and with a look that matches the 'fumé' dial perfectly.
The Movement
Powering this massive beast is the same Audemars Piguet calibre 3126/3840 powering all modern Royal Oak Offshores since 2007. This movement composed of 365 parts, 59 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 55 hours when fully wound is based off of the in-house AP calibre 3120, but with a Dubois-Depraz chrono module sandwiched to it. The calibre is fully visible via the platinum display case back.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Platinum ref. 26470PT wears true to its size and with incredible wrist presence thanks to its case weight. To put things in perspective, wearing this watch feels like strapping a brick to your wrist. While for the majority this watch might be too much in terms of weight and money, to us, the platinum Royal Oak Offshore is what watch dreams are made of. In summary, this watch is so perfect that it could turn a serial watch flipper with multiple watches, into a one-watch type of man. The platinum AP Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470PT is exclusively available at the Audemars Piguet boutiques and limited to 50 pieces.
Sticker Price $122,000 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
