Le Brassus, August 2024 – Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is pleased to reveal three Royal Oak Offshore models with very different aesthetics. These Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph novelties in 37 and 43 mm present a diversity of materials, including coloured rubber, stainless steel, 18-carat pink gold and black ceramic. Powered by cutting-edge selfwinding movements, these bold and powerful iterations introduce new tones of bronze, ivory and blue to the collection.
A VARIETY OF TONES FOR A ROBUST DESIGN
The three models are driven by the rebellious and daring spirit of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, which plays with materials and breaks the codes of traditional watchmaking. Combining stainless steel with black ceramic or 18-carat gold with coloured rubber, these new models share a powerful aesthetic highlighted by sharp contrasts.
Developped specially for the smaller wrists, the first selfwinding reference is executed in 18-carat pink gold and measures 37 mm in diameter. Its gold bezel is coated with grey rubber, emphasising the collection’s sportive identity. Matching these hues, the guilloché Grande Tapisserie dial in rhodium and ivory tones is polished for a glowing effect. The pink gold hour-markers and trapezoidal hands with luminescent material complete the colour palette, while the grey inner bezel echoes the rubber-coated bezel and mosaic rubber strap. Equipped with the interchangeability system, this timepiece comes with an additional black mosaic rubber strap for enhanced contrast.
The second Selfwinding model features a 43 mm case in stainless steel, contrasted by a blue rubber-coated bezel matching the strap. The two-tone aesthetic continues onto the smoked blue Méga Tapisserie dial, which takes centre stage in this three-hands and date format. The trapezoidal hour-markers and Royal Oak hands in rhodium-toned gold with luminescent material offer optimum readability in the dark. The dial is completed by a blue inner bezel and the AP monogram in polished rhodium-toned gold at 12 o’clock. This model can also be styled with an additional black rubber strap.The last novelty is a 43 mm stainless steel Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph inaugurating a matching steel bezel with the crown and push-pieces in black ceramic. Inspired by Habanos, this timepiece features a smoked bronze Méga Tapisserie dial whose darkened edges extend to the black inner bezel, where the tachymeter is printed in white. Similarly, the counters at 9, 6 and 3 o’clock echo the ceramic and inner bezel to enhance readability. The dial is completed with luminescent trapezoidal hour-markers and hands in blackened gold. Fitted on a brown alligator strap with an Oxford hand-finished patina, this model is equipped with the interchangeability system and comes with an additional black rubber strap for a sporty aesthetic.
Whether in pink gold, stainless steel or ceramic, the case components of these three new models are adorned with the Manufacture’s trademark satin-brushed and polished hand-finishing for a constant play of light that underlines the sturdy architecture of the Royal Oak Offshore collection.
CUTTING-EDGE PERFORMANCE
The three new models are equipped with cutting-edge selfwinding movements that combine refined elegance with robustness and performance, ideal for an adventurous lifestyle.
Made for smaller wrists, the 37 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding reference is equipped with Calibre 5900, the Manufacture’s latest automatic movement indicating hours, minutes, seconds and date, first released in 2022. Only 3.9 mm thick, it operates at a high frequency of 4 Hz and has a 60-hour power reserve, making it ideal for contemporary use.
The Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding model in 43 mm is powered by Calibre 4302. Its patented mechanism provides precision and stability when setting the watch, while its generous 32 mm diameter contributes to improving the chronometry. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz, this movement offers a 70-hour power reserve.
Finally, the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph beats to the rhythm of Calibre 4401, the Manufacture’s latest integrated chronograph. This movement features a column wheel with a vertical clutch system to activate, stop and reset the chronograph – a device renowned for its isochronism and its ability to reduce start-up jumps. The result of hundreds of hours of work, Calibre 4401 offers a unique combination of complications for Audemars Piguet, which has paired a jumping hour with the flyback chronograph. The flyback system enables to take several new measurements in a row, swiftly and easily, by restarting the chronograph without interrupting or resetting it first.
All three high-performance movements can be admired through the saphire caseback, revealing the collection’s signature oscillating weight in blackened 22-carat pink gold, along with the components’ refined decorations such as Côtes de Genève, vertical, circular and sunray brushing, circular graining and polished chamfers.
