Posts tagged #Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300ST

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26300. Celebrating 16 Years of a True Royal Oak Essential.

After 16 years, the Royal Oak Chronograph remains a classic in the Royal Oak line-up and a watch that demands admiration. Therefore, we have decided to work on a special review of this amazing reference.

The first Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 25860 was launched in 1998 equipped with calibre 2385, an automatic chronograph movement based off of the legendary Frederic Piguet calibre 1185 also used on the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph —as caliber 1137— and the Breguet Marine Chronograph —as calibre 576— amongst other timepieces. This movement still remains the thinnest automatic chronograph calibre ever made, measuring only 5.5mm in thickness. The movement is composed of 304 parts, beats at 21,600 vph, is fitted with 37 jewels and provides a power reserve of 40 hours when fully wound. The same calibre is fitted in the Royal Oak City of Sails for Alinghi, the Leo Messi limited edition and is also used as a module on the Royal Oak Grande Complication.

Encounter: Porsche 997 Targa 4 in Bronze. Nothing is More 70s Than a Targa and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

The other day, during a quick gas stop at a service station on one of Chicago's busiest freeways, we ran into this beautiful Porsche 997 Targa 4 in bronze color. That same day —during the morning—, we had already spent a number of hours drooling over the classic Porsches that one of our close friends and watchlifestylers owns. However, the Targa —regardless of the year— is our all-time favorite Porsche and unfortunately we don't run into it often enough, especially in this very unique color.

The Porsche Targa was launched in 1967 as a model that would combine the best of both worlds in one single car —a coupe and a cabriolet Porsche. Using a roll bar under a stainless steel cover, the Targa featured a removable, folding top from that bar forward to the windshield header and a soft canvas cover with a flexible plastic window that could be unzipped from the car and removed. Today, Targas are equipped with a glass roof and hatch. At any speed, the roof can be opened where it drops down an inch and slides a meter back underneath the hatch. When the glass roof is retracted, a small glass deflector above the windshield is raised to aid in aerodynamic stability.

Unlike previous versions of the Porsche 911 Targa, the Porsche 997 Targa 4 and Targa 4S come with an all-wheel-drive drive-train, hence the '4' in the name. This Targa is fitted with a powerful 3.6 L Six-cylinder engine that delivers 345 hp and reaches 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. The Targa 4S is even more powerful with 385 hp and 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.

As we parked our Cayman S next to this fascinating car, we admired its beauty for a few minutes and realized how similar all Porsches are regardless of the model. All core Porsche design elements are present in both models when looking at them side-by-side. From the headlamps, to the car hips and the overall silhouette, there is really no substitute for a Porsche —a car with a look as unique as the look of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Before getting back in our Cayman S, we decided to check the time on our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and take one last picture of this gorgeous automobile to immortalize this encounter. As we drove away, we remembered our childhood memories and our lifetime dreams of one day owning a Targa. For now, the Cayman S will have to suffice; however, a Targa will continue to be on the wish list. We really need one sooner rather than later.

If you were born in the 70s —just like the Royal Oak—, you clearly understand why Porsches are so fascinating and particularly the amazing Targas.

Sticker Price $106,400 USD. For more info click here.

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Porsche Targa 4 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300ST Porsche Cayman S Cayman S Royal Oak ref. 15300.

Experience: Salvatore Ferragamo Amos 3. Right Hue of Blue Matching Our Royal Oak.

The Salvatore Ferragamo Amos 3 shoes are the perfect balance between a casual and dressy shoe. Fitted with tassels —very trendy this season after being long gone for more than a decade— , these lambskin suede shoes are comfortable, classy and ready to make a statement on your next yacht or sailboat ride. Additionally, their color matches the blue dial on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300 perfectly. A match made in heaven.

Salvatore Ferragamo launched its shoe company back in the early 1900s. Salvatore made his first pair of shoes at age nine for his sisters to wear at their church confirmation. After studying the art of shoemaking in Napoli, he opened a small shoe store in his parent's home. In 1914, he moved to Boston —where one of his brothers worked at a cowboy boot factory— and then to Santa Barbara, California in 1919 to open his own boot shop, quickly becoming the 'Shoemaker to the Stars'.

In 1927, he moved back to Firenze, Italy and established the company as we know it today. Ferragamo is still a family owned business and is one of the most renowned luxurious shoemakers in the world. A synonym of comfort, design and luxury.

The Amos 3 shoes are richly colored loafers in decadent lambskin suede and adorned with front tassels. The shoes are fitted with a combination of leather and rubber soles and a boat shoe lace with grommet accents as a finishing touch. Sticker Price $495.

The shoes are perfect for boating or just relaxing 'al fresco', especially in the company of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with blue dial. For more info click here.