Just released a few months ago, the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470ST.OO.A028CR.01 with black dial and blue registers is the latest addition to the Royal Oak Offshore line and a watch that we have now nicknamed 'the Real Batman'. With its 42 mm case in stainless steel with black ceramic crown/pushers and display case back, the Real Batman is a stunner in the metal and a watch that discreetly evokes the colors of the Dark Knight in a regal combination of black and blue.

The Dial

A true chameleon depending on how bright or dark it is where you are, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470ST.OO.A028CR.01 'The Real Batman' is fitted with a matte black mega tapisserie dial with dark blue registers and white Arabic numerals with black luminescent coating. Depending on the lighting conditions, the dial will mostly show as solid black but turning the watch around will reveal the dark blue registers in a subtle and interesting way. This is one of those dials where the lights at the authorized dealers hide the true essence of the watch as it is much nicer under natural light.

The dial features running seconds register at 12, a 12-hour chrono register at 6, a 30-minute chrono register at 9 o'clock and a date aperture at 3 o'clock, all rounded out by a dark blue flange with tachymetric scale and white gold hands.

The Pushers & Crown

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470ST.OO.A028CR.01 features the newly redesigned beefier crown guards as well as black ceramic chrono pushers and ceramic screw-down crown.

The Strap

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'The Real Batman' is equipped with a non-hornback dark blue alligator strap with white contrast stitching and stainless steel pin buckle. The strap tapers to 20 mm, therefore, this strap is completely different in width —4 mm narrower at the buckle— when compared to that on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Divers or the 44 mm Royal Oak Offshores.

The Movement

Like all other modern Royal Oak Offshores released after 2007 —with the exception of the Rubber Clad—, the Offshore 'The Real Batman' is powered by the calibre 3126/3840 —based off the Audemars Piguet in-house automatic calibre 3120 with a Dubois Depraz chrono module on it. The movement is fully visible via the display case back, also a new feature on the second generation of 42 mm Royal Oak Offshores released at the SIHH 2014. This automatic movement composed of 365 parts, beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph —3 Hz— to provide a power reserve of 50 hours. This 59-jewel movement, also features the signature solid gold oscillating weight engraved with the crests of the Audemars and Piguet families.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26470ST.OO.A028CR.01 wears true to its size and very manly. A very 'stealth' looking watch that trumps any other 'Batman' out there. A Dark Knight in all the sense of the word and a perfect AP Offshore to own. Below you'll find pictures showing how different the dial looks depending on the angle and lighting conditions.

Sticker Price $26,000 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.