Today, Audemars Piguet presents five new iterations of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models in 42 mm equipped with the latest integrated flyback chronograph movement, calibre 4404. The new five models include versions in titanium, stainless steel, and 18K rose gold. The first three models mirror the look of the original Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST ‘The Beast’ which you can read all about it here.
The biggest difference between these three new models and the original ‘Beast’ is the position of the chrono counters on the dial. First of all, all counters are now equidistant from the center of the dial rather than having the top one closer to the central hands pinion. Additionally, the date window has been topped off with a loupe glass directly integrated into the dial rather than on the movement. Lastly, the hour register has been moved from the 6 o’clock position to the 12 o’clock position and the running seconds from the 12 to the 6 o’clock. For the first time, the name of the shade of blue on the original ‘Beast’ has been revealed by Audemars Piguet as two of these new models feature the iconic blue dial of the Royal Oak Offshore from 1993, a color referred to as “Night Blue, Cloud 50” in the Manufacture’s archives.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ‘The Beast’ ref. 25721ST
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ‘The Beast’ ref. 25721ST
The new Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26238 is offered in stainless steel, as well as in two new case options: one in titanium and one in 18K pink gold. While Audemars Piguet released a previous model entirely crafted in titanium in 2004 under ref. 25721TI, it is the first time that the 18K rose gold model is endowed with a petite tapisserie dial very much like the discontinued ‘Pounder’ —18K yellow gold ref. 25721BA.
Going back to the design cues of the original Royal Oak Offshore from 1993 and moving away from the updated reference 26470 —fitted with a ceramic crown and ceramic pushers—, the stainless steel and pink gold references are complemented with blue rubber pushers and crown, as well as a blue rubber gasket sealing the bezel onto the case. The titanium model features black rubber pushers and black rubber crown.
These three new references are equipped with bracelets matching the metal of the case and are as follow:
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono 42 Stainless Steel Blue Dial ref. 26238ST.OO.2000ST.01 Sticker Price $37,500 USD
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono 42 Titanium Gray and Black Dial ref. 26238TI.OO.2000TI.01 Sticker Price $37,500 USD
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono 42 18K Rose Gold Blue Dial ref. 2623826238OR.OO.2000OR.01 Sticker Price $76,000
Meanwhile, the other two references —one in stainless steel and the other in titanium— are fitted with a khaki or light blue Méga tapisserie dial and equipped with black rubber crowns, gaskets, pushers, and an interchangeable textured rubber strap. These two models are delivered with a black calfskin strap and an interchangeable textured rubber strap in light blue or khaki matching the respective dial color.
These two new references are:
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono 42 Stainless Steel Light Blue Dial ref. 26238ST.OO.A340CA.01 Sticker Price $33,400 USD
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chrono 42 Titanium Khaki Dial ref. 26238TI.OO.A056CA.01 Sticker Price $33,400 USD
These five new Royal Oak Offshore models are fitted with a display case back that allows for a full view of the new in-house Audemars Piguet automatic integrated chronograph calibre 4404. This movement is equipped with column wheel and flyback function. Unlike a regular chronograph, the flyback function allows the wearer to stop, reset and start the chronograph in one simple action. The column wheel works in collaboration with a vertical clutch system. When the chronograph is started or stopped, the hands respond accordingly without any jittering. Furthermore, the pushers feel smooth when pressed. A patented zero resetting mechanism ensures that each one of the counter hands instantaneously resets to zero.
The movement is equipped with a 22K pink gold oscillating weight featuring the embossed AP initials, as well as refined hand-finishing, including ‘Côtes de Genève’, satin-brushing, and polished chamfers. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph, the movement provides a power reserve of almost three days at 70 hours.
All five new models are equipped with AP’s new interchangeable strap system that is presented for the very first time on their metal bracelets. The interchangeability has been directly integrated into the buckle and case’s studs. The ease and efficiency will allow clients to change the bracelets and buckles of their new timepiece themselves with a quick click and release, while the double-push system grants optimum security when the watch is worn on the wrist.
The metal bracelet can be replaced with a rubber strap for a sportier look as the metal versions come with a second interchangeable rubber strap —blue for the stainless steel and pink gold versions; and black for the titanium piece. All five models are water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters.
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