This time we are talking about one of our favorite tourbillons in the market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26387IO.OO.D010CA.01. This watch without a doubt, is a grail for many watchlifestylers and one hell of a watch. This particular Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chrono is an exclusive limited edition only available for sale at the U.S. boutiques. Additionally, this watch is not only one amazing horological complication, but perhaps one of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs with the most mesmerizing wrist presence. This hands-on review of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26387IO.OO.D010CA.01 will push more than one over the cliff, to take the plunge and add one to the collection.
The Case, Bezel & Pushers
This robust timepiece featuring a tourbillon, also features an integrated column wheel 30-minute chronograph that makes it quite a complication. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26387IO.OO.D010CA.01 is fitted with a titanium case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 16.60 mm in thickness, an anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, an anti-reflective coated display case back, a white ceramic bezel and white ceramic screw-down crown and pushers. The difference between this limited edition piece and the 18K rose gold Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chrono we reviewed here, is that the case on this particular watch does not feature the traditional four carved out corners found on the top part of the case —near the lug areas—, but does feature the carved out plots and a perfectly brushed finished case with exuberating 'chamfers' very typical of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore timepieces. Additionally, the watch is powered by the new calibre 2933 featuring a new coupling lever and new look on the backside instead of the previous manual wound calibre 2912. Lastly, the water resistance on this watch has been increased to a 100 meters when compared to its predecessors that only came with a water resistance of 20 meters.
The Dial
The openworked dial on this watch features a 30-minute chrono-register in anthracite grey at 3, a tourbillon at 9 o'clock and two openings at 12 and 6 o'clock. The white dial features contrasting white gold Arabic numerals filled with green luminescent material —that bring to mind the look of the first Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad in stainless steel—, white gold grey hands also with luminescent coating, a silver flange with tachymetric scale and chronograph seconds hand with with tip. Old school and modern looking at the same time, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 26387IO.OO.D010CA.01 is one of those watches perfectly made for the summer or perfectly suited for the winter polar vortex with its white color scheme.
The Movement
The beating heart inside of this iconic reference is the new manual wound Audemars Piguet calibre 2933 instead of the previous 2912. This new movement is composed of 338 parts, 30 jewels and provides a power reserve of 237 hours —almost ten full days— when fully wound. This amazing calibre is fully visible via the display case back and the wearer will be able to contemplate the column wheel chronograph mechanism, the locking gear stopwork, the twin barrels in parallel, the three anodized black aluminum bridges and of course the back side of the tourbillon. A real treat for the eyes and something that can amaze you for hours. Seeing one of these watches in person and being able to peruse it, is something out of this world.
The Strap
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph is fitted with a gorgeous white rubber strap with folding buckle in titanium that when fastened it almost appears to be a pin buckle. The strap, just as any other Audemars Piguet strap, is extremely comfortable and perfectly finished. You really couldn't expect any less from a manufacture like AP and from a watch within this price point.
On the Wrist & Pricing
As mentioned earlier, the wrist presence is unparalleled and mesmerizing. The watch wears more like a 45-46 mm piece on a 7.25" wrist. Now, keep in mind that once you put this watch on your wrist, is game over guys. Nothing else that you put on afterwards —unless it's a Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication in Titanium of which only three pieces were made— will make you feel as good as when wearing this fascinating Offshore.
Now, if you want to play be ready to pay, because a timepiece of this calibre doesn't come cheap at all. Even if you can pull off a good discount, you won't be paying less than a quarter of a million dollars for it.
Sticker Price $288,000 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
