Last week at the SIHH 2014, Audemars Piguet unveiled six new models of the Royal Oak Offshore in 42 mm. With this new line-up, there are several models that will no longer be produced and that have disappeared from the Royal Oak Offshore line as we knew them. Within these new six references, there are two particular models that we need to talk about in depth, the new Royal Oak Offshore 'Safari' and the new Royal Oak Offshore 'Navy'.
The original Royal Oak Offshore 'Safari' and Royal Oak Offshore 'Navy' were released in 2007 both as models specifically designed to be worn on a hornback strap and with color combinations that were somewhat different to the more conventional designs available as part of the 'Themes' line at the time. This year, both models have not only undergone an important facelift with new ceramic pushers and crown, new designed crown guards, new display case backs, new pin buckle straps, new hour/minute hands, but also a completely new look on their dials with new colors and also more streamlined Arabic numerals that appear thinner than on the previous generation of Royal Oak Offshores.
Today, the Royal Oak Offshore that we have been referring to as the 'Navy' for the last seven years, will no longer be fitted with a white dial and blue counters, but with a navy blue dial with off-white counters, blue flange with orange tachymeter scale, orange chronograph hands and a gorgeous cobalt blue rubber strap. We really think that the new 'Navy' is more bold and way better looking than the original one. In only two weeks, we have already seen the positive reactions from Audemars Piguet collectors and we can already sense that this will become a hot commodity as soon as it hits the authorized dealers network. The reference number for this new model is 26470ST.OO.A027CA.01.
Now, let's talk about the redesigned Royal Oak Offshore 'Safari' ref. 26470ST.OO.A801CR.01. The 'Safari' will now have a more ivory-cream colored dial than its predecessor with brown Arabic numerals, milk chocolate brown chrono counters and a brown flange with white tachymeter scale. While the original 'Safari' has always been an iconic model in the Royal Oak Offshore collection, we think that the new dial is more appealing and less boring. The new 42 mm Offshores will no longer be fitted with folding clasps but with pin buckles and the new buckle on the brown hornback alligator strap on the redesigned 'Safari' looks and feels great.
While we consider ourselves purists when it comes to certain iconic watches, we really feel that the redesigned 'Safari' and 'Navy' are perfect examples of what reinvention and redesign in the watch industry should look like. With the new Royal Oak Offshore line, Audemars Piguet continues to prove why to "break the rules you first must master them."
Sticker Price Royal Oak Offshore 'Safari' $26,000 USD. Sticker Price Royal Oak Offshore 'Navy' $25,600 USD.
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