WATCH COLLECTING LIFESTYLE

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Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721BA. LeBron James' First Audemars Piguet Timepiece Ever Owned.

There are watches and then there are what we like to call very special watches or grail timepieces. Therefore, today we bring you a truly unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721BA.OO.1000BA.03. This fascinating Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore in 18K yellow gold, is the first AP that NBA superstar LeBron James had ever owned. Yes ladies and gentlemen, this watch used to sit on LeBron James' wrist and today it sits in the watch collection of a very close and special friend of ours.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore in 18K yellow gold ref. 25721BA is not only a true grail timepiece for AP fans, but a beast of a watch weighing 398 grams/14 ounces —almost a whole pound of precious metal. This special timepiece was purchased by our friend not too long ago and it came as a full set accompanied by a special letter on Audemars Piguet letterhead signed by Francois-Henry Bennahmias —President of Audemars Piguet. The letter states that this is indeed the first Audemars Piguet watch ever purchased by the NBA superstar LeBron James a.k.a King James.

To make this timepiece even more special, Audemars Piguet engraved this unique piece with an exact replica of LeBron James' signature on the case back. As the letter states, this is a unique example of the reference 25721BA.OO.1000BA.03 bearing LeBron's signature. This signature, is exactly like that on LeBron's millionaire contracts and the same signature that brought him back to Cleveland to play once again with the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers after a short stint of only four seasons with the Miami Heat. Really glad he is coming back to the Midwest, the heart of America.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721BA.OO.1000BA.03 features the exact same dial configuration as the first Royal Oak Offshore launched in 1993, but with a slightly bigger 'clous de Paris' petite tapisserie than the one on the ref. 25721ST. Additionally, this particular example features a white dial instead of the traditional blue —once available as an option for this now discontinued reference. Its pushers and crown, true to the essence and DNA of the first original Royal Oak Offshore are made of blue therban.

On the wrist, this watch is definitely not made for the weak or the faint of heart. As soon as you put it on, be ready to feel what it feels like to have almost a whole pound sitting on top of your wrist. Furthermore, if you are a true NBA and LeBron James fan, wearing this watch or one just like it will make you feel just like King James on top of the world.

Sticker Price Priceless. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.