Posts tagged #Post 2013

Insider: Audemars Piguet Presents the Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James Limited Edition. Live Pictures from Miami.

Today, September 27, 2013, Audemars Piguet unveiled the new Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph LeBron James Limited Edition at a very posh press conference and party —at the iconic 1111 Lincoln Road structure in Miami, Florida— that we were able to attend in order to bring you this amazing live pictures. The venue were the event is taking place is an amazing open space envisioned by Robert Wennett and designed by Herzog & de Meuron in the heart of Miami beach that is the perfect setting for such global launch.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph LeBron James ref. 26210OI.OO.A109CR.01 will only available in 600 limited edition pieces. This new Audemars Piguet watch is fitted with a 44mm case in 18K rose gold with titanium bezel, black ceramic crown with rose gold inlay, black ceramic push-pieces, diamond-set push-piece at 2 o'clock, rose gold and grey rubber push-piece guards, display case back engraved with the legend "Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition LeBron James" —and LeBron's signature imprinted in blue on the sapphire crystal— and a gorgeous large square scale grey crocodile strap with 18K rose gold pin buckle.

This watch is fitted with a gorgeous grey 'Méga Tapisserie" dial with grey chrono registers, rose gold applied Arabic numerals, rose gold minute and hour hands, white hand for the running seconds and blue hands for the chronograph hands.

More coverage to follow with images and video from the press conference and all the eye candy from the cocktail party that followed the press conference.

Sticker Price $51,500 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition LeBron James Audemars Piguet ref. 26210OI.OO.A109CR.01 Post 2013 2013.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402. Restoration of a Two-Tone Jumbo.

This is the story of the restoration of a highly coveted Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'Jumbo' reference 5402SA. The watch in question belongs to our Editor and Publisher, a true grail piece from one of the most iconic references in horology. This particular model, dating back to 1978, is part of the exclusive batch of two-tone Royal Oak Jumbos —the only series ever made in this configuration— of which only 951 pieces of this reference exist, with the serial number of this specific watch being under 300. It’s a rare and highly collectible piece in the Royal Oak lineage. This particular watch was once owned by Jorge Rojo Lugo —former governor of the Mexican state of Hidalgo— after it was gifted to him by former Mexican president José Lopez Portillo.

Given its age and the fact that it’s passed through multiple owners before landing in its final hands, the watch required significant restoration. The movement needed a complete overhaul, while the dial had suffered from flaking, leading Audemars Piguet to insist on a replacement as part of the service, as they wouldn't service the original dial. The bezel and case also required serious attention — the bezel had become overly rounded and thin, to the point where Audemars Piguet advised that this would be the last time it could be refinished. Despite the challenges, the restoration process has brought this legendary timepiece back to life, preserving its place as a true icon.

Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus serviced this piece and it took almost six months. By the pictures, you can tell that it almost looks like new and to be quite honest, there is no one other than Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus to refinish a Royal Oak to its original appearance. Just pay attention to the chamfers, bezel and case.

The History Behind The Watch

This watch was first purchased back in 1998. At the time, this was our Editor's third Royal Oak 5402 Jumbo. The watch was in good shape and running strong. This was one of his favorite Royal Oaks and it was purchased during a very successful time in his career. After a couple of years of ownership, the watch was sold. In 2004, the watch was repurchased from the person that it was sold to but in terrible condition and not running anymore. After several weeks, a talented watchmaker brought it back to life. Two years later, our Editor sold the watch one more time. Fast forward to 2008, and that's when our Editor stumbled upon a for sale listing with pictures of a watch that looked exactly like the one he had let go for the second time—the flaking on the dial was so unique that he was almost 100% sure it was his old piece. Immediately, he emailed the seller and asked if the serial number on the watch was 2XX. The seller replied the following day and confirmed that indeed that was the number. As any other watchlifestyler would do, he decided to purchase the watch back one more time.

Finally, in 2012 with the watch still running, our Editor decided to finally get a full service to bring his precious possession back to mint condition. Today, the watch is fully restored and looking almost like new. All original parts including the dial where returned by Audemars Piguet. The final result of this restoration is just superb.

The last picture at the bottom is one of the watch before the major overhaul. BIG KUDOS to Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus.

This is what we call top notch restoration service! For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet and tagged Royal Oak Jumbo Royal Oak 5402 Audemars Piguet Posts 2013 Post 2013 2013.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix. Only 1750 Out There.

The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Limited Edition ref. 26290 is a serious collector's grail. This Forged Carbon beauty is definitely one that will make a statement anywhere you wear it. Dressed up or dressed down, those who know will recognize it immediately.

Audemars Piguet has always been in the forefront when it comes to using materials that are rarely used by other watchmaking companies. Audemars Piguet started using these type of materials long before any other watchmaking company would do so back in the 1980's with the introduction of Tantalum and Rose Gold watches. Today, Audemars Piguet makes a statement with Forged Carbon and Ceramic.

The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix embodies the powerful ties between watchmaking and automobiles. The same passion for design and the same incessant quest for mechanical performance. The sub-dials evoke dashboard instruments, the crown a gear, and the bezel a ventilated brake disc. Issued in limited edition series featuring meticulously executed details & cutting-edge materials. Whether viewed from the front, the side, or through the sapphire crystal back, all angles provide the same clear-cut impression of dynamic, aggressive, taut and complex shapes that are undeniably reminiscent of gleaming automobile bodywork.

This watch is so light that sometimes one can forget it is on the wrist. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is just at another level. This watch shows very clearly why Audemars Piguet is considered one of the three companies that conform the 'Holy Trinity of Watchmaking'. It is also well known by collectors and watch enthusiasts that forged carbon cases never look the same. All Forged Carbon pieces have their own unique character and finish, typical of handmade goods. The Grand Prix Limited Edition is available in Rose Gold and Forged Carbon in limited quantities of 650 and 1750 respectively.

This watch comes with a case made out of forged carbon fibers and a bezel made of forged carbon and black ceramic with eight titanium hex-head screws fastening the bezel to the case as well as the case back. The Grand Prix houses an Audemars Piguet Caliber 3126/3840, composed of 365 parts and a power reserve of 60 hours.

The strap on the Grand Prix is one of the most unique looking Audemars Piguet straps out there. Black calfskin and red alcantara, hand-sewn with red alcantara inserts and edges. Comfortable and beautiful at the same time. This strap exudes class.

The crown is made of blackened titanium with the AP logo in red, the chronograph pushers are made of titanium and black ceramic and comes with a sapphire crystal display case back. The plots that connect the case to the strap are made of titanium just like the tang buckle on the strap. The dial evokes different parts of auto super machines. The bronze flange is reminiscent of the magnesium alloy wheels on a race car. Running seconds at 12 o 'clock, 30-minute register at 9 o'clock and 12-hour register at 12 o'clock.

All in all, this is a wonderful reference suited for every day wear and one that will make a statement wherever you go.

Sticker Price $45,000 USD. For more info click here.