Released in 2010 and discontinued shortly after, the so called 'Gentleman's Driver' Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26175ST.OO.D003CU.01 is one of only seven references released by Audemars Piguet with orange accents on their dials. The other six are the following: Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph ref. 26703ST reviewed here, the Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Diver ref. 15707CE reviewed here, the Royal Oak Offshore Volcano ref. 26170ST.OO.D101CR.01, the Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Oceanografía 'Goliath' ref. 26217 in white gold, rose gold and stainless steel featured here, the Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25770ST and the Royal Oak Offshore Scuba ref. 15701ST.OO.D002CA.01
Posts tagged #Audemars Piguet Calibre 3126/3840
Macros: Audemars Piguet Calibre 3126/3840. The Beating Heart of All Modern Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs.
The Audemars Piguet calibre 3126/3840 is the beating heart of all modern Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs —with the exception of the Rubber Clad— since 2007 and is the movement that replaced calibre 2226/2840 that was originally fitted on all Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs from 1993 through the beginning of 2007.
Insider: Royal Oak Offshore Safari ref. 26170ST. Now a Discontinued Offshore, Long Live the Old Safari.
Last month at the SIHH 2014, Audemars Piguet presented the new generation of Royal Oak Offshores in 42 mm fitted with a display case back, ceramic crown and pushers, new dials, beefier crown guards and new straps. Based on the new line-up, we can infer that several references are now officially discontinued including the Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad. With the arrival of the new Safari and the new Navy, two iconic Royal Oak Offshores will be now long gone as we knew them up until now. Therefore, we decided to dedicate this post to one of the most iconic Royal Oak Offshores of all time, the Safari.
The Royal Oak Offshore Safari ref. 26170ST.OO.D091CR.01 was first introduced in 2005 —along with the Navy, the Black Themes and the Silver Themes strap models— as a leather strap Offshore option, under the ref. 26020ST. At that time, the Safari was the only Offshore model fitted with an alligator hornback strap. The Navy, the Silver Themes and the Black Themes were originally fitted with a smooth leather strap and not with a hornback.
From 1993 through early 2007, the beating heart inside all Offshores was the calibre 2226/2840; however, later in 2007, Audemars Piguet switched the old calibre to the new in-house calibre 3126/3840 —based off the Audemars Piguet in-house calibre 3120 with a Dubois Depraz chrono module on it— as the beating heart of all modern Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs with the exception of the Rubber Clad. The Rubber Clad, up until its last production date, was still fitted with the older calibre 2226/2840. At the time the calibre was switched, the reference for the Royal Oak Offshore Safari changed to 26170ST. Additionally, during the production of the G-serials, all Royal Oak Offshores were fitted with an anti-reflective coated loupe on the date aperture in order to improve its readability.
For many, the Safari will always remain as one of the most iconic Offshores ever created, while for others, it will remain as a somewhat bland and boring Offshore fitted with a pale cream colored dial. To us, the Safari will not only remain as an icon, but also as a perfectly balanced Royal Oak Offshore with the nicest cream colored dial with silver chrono registers and black Arabic numerals. Perhaps the only down side to this watch is the lack of luminescent material on the hands and numerals.
To really appreciate the beauty and elegance of a Royal Oak Offshore Safari ref. 26170ST.OO.D091CR.01, one needs to see the watch in person. Regardless of the lighting conditions, the beauty of the cream colored dial cannot be captured with a camera as it can only be fully appreciated with the naked eye. On the wrist, it is just as comfortable as any other Offshore on bracelet or strap. If you love brown straps, nothing compares to the beauty and unmistakeable look of the brown alligator hornback on a Safari. Some people dislike where the clasp is positioned against the wrist when the watch is worn, but we feel there's nothing wrong with it. If you have a 7.25" wrist, we recommend getting an extra long strap for the ultimate perfect fit as the clasp will be secured to the strap on its last perforation.
The Safari exudes class and elegance like no other stainless steel modern Offshore but comes in second place when compared to the original Royal Oak Offshore 25721ST.OO.1000ST.01 with blue dial reviewed here and that will always remain as the most beautiful Royal Oak Offshore ever created. For those of you that have always wanted a Safari but have always hesitated on getting one, this is the time to get it before is long gone forever. Something else that is worth mentioning about the AP Royal Oak Offshore Safari, is how versatile this watch can be as you can fit a Rubber Clad strap on it or even the Royal Oak Offshore stainless steel bracelet for a change. As you will see below, these two completely different looks are just breathtaking. In our opinion the Safari on Rubber Clad strap and the Safari on stainless steel bracelet are just fascinating and at times even better than the original look of the Safari on its hornback strap.
Sticker Price $25,700 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 44mm Anthracite Dial ref. 26402CE. Just Stunning in Every Aspect.
This new sophisticated chronograph with its incisive design features a wealth of opulent detailing. Presented at the SIHH 2014 and also in 2015 in Geneva, this new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore in 44 mm ref. 26402CE.OO.A002CA.02 features a full ceramic case and bezel paired with an Anthracite dial with “Méga Tapisserie”, anthracite counter at 12 o’clock, anthracite counters with grey outer zone at 6 and 9 o’clock and red chronograph hands. The look of this new dial is accentuated by the silver flange with tachymeter scale. The ceramic case is round out by its titanium crown guards, titanium plots and black rubber strap with titanium pin buckle. As it is the norm with Royal Oaks and Royal Oak Offshores, the finish on the case is superb and the traditional vertical brushed finish is prevalent on both the bezel and the case in a remarkable way.
This new anthracite dial is very unique in terms of color and depending on the angle at which the light hits it, it will vary from a deep grey, to a greyish blue and even to a deep midnight blue. The red accents along with the silvered outer zone on the chrono registers and the white and black markers make this dial a perfectly balanced one.
The beating heart inside this watch is the Audemars Piguet calibre 3126/3840 composed of 365 parts, 59 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 55 hours. As we have mentioned it before, this calibre is based off of the 3120 but with a Dubois-Depraz chrono module. The calibre is fully visible via the display case back on the watch.
On the wrist, the watch is just exceptional. Even though we consider ourselves Royal Oak Offshore purists and to us there's nothing more comfortable than the original 42 mm Offshore, we feel that the 44 mm case is just as comfortable. The wrist presence of this new anthracite dial Offshore is just out of this world and all we can say is that we were pleasantly surprised by how good this watch looks all around.
Sticker Price $41,700 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor. The Most Revolutionary Offshore.
When it comes to Audemars Piguet watches, we all know that because of their exclusivity and limited production, we rarely see them in the wild. Now, how often do you come in contact with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor? Pretty much never. Well, here's one for your viewing pleasure.
This amazing timepiece was launched by Audemars Piguet at the end of 2008 as the limited edition Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26165IO.00.A002CA.01 in only a 1,000 pieces. It sold out almost immediately after its launch.
Without a doubt, this Royal Oak Offshore Survivor is the one that started the true evolution of the Royal Oak Offshore line into what it is today. Fitted with a blackened and perforated titanium case measuring 42mm in diameter with grooves on the profile of the case at 9, a grooved ceramic bezel and chrono pushers in ceramic with titanium guards, this watch is the perfect match to the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica. This car is as revolutionary as this Offshore.
Even though this watch is extremely sleek and progressive in design and innovation, it still remains true to the Royal Oak Offshore nature and essence without compromise.
While the case construction appears massive and bulky, this watch wears true to its size. Just like the grooves on the case and bezel, the crown and hands are also very rugged making the watch look like a complex machine. The dial is pure perfection and very well balanced. The running seconds are on a silvered register that is fitted with a hand that has a red tip that adds the right amount of contrast.
The beating heart inside this revolutionary timepiece is the Audemars Piguet automatic calibre 3126/3840 with 59 jewels and a power reserve of 60 hours. To protect this amazing calibre, the watch is fitted with a nicely crafted and sturdy titanium case back with beautiful dimples on the center.
The rubber strap is slightly more flexible than other Offshore straps and quite comfortable. The watch is so light that it almost feels like its not on your wrist. The strap is fitted with a blackened titanium clasp very similar to the one on the Forged Carbon or Ceramic Divers. Its unmistakeable set of squared lines along the sides are the perfect match to the 'méga tapisserie' dial. The plots that connect the strap to the case have two small perforations to match the perforations on the case.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor is a watch that, even after several years from its launch, still makes our hearts skip a beat with its beauty, uniqueness and overtly masculine design.
When found, the pre-owned sticker price ranges from $35,000-$42,000 USD.
For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
