Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is on a continuous quest of creating timepieces that reflect its ancestral savoir-faire and forward-thinking spirit. As the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still managed by its founding families, the Manufacture has introduced numerous iconic collections, including the Royal Oak, Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Concept, and the Royal Oak Offshore. This year, the Manufacture explores new horizons of creativity with two innovative versions of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph.
Measuring 43 mm in diameter, both models are water-resistant to 100 metres and are powered by the Manufacture’s inhouse integrated flyback chronograph movement, Calibre 4401, which has equipped the collection since 2021. Providing a minimum power reserve of 70 hours, Calibre 4401 has a total diameter of 32 mm (14 1⁄4 lignes) and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. A transparent sapphire case back protects the movement, through which the blackened oscillating weight and refined Haute Horlogerie decorations can be seen and admired. Just like the movement, the case components, whether in ceramic or titanium, have been finished with the same level of attention as precious metals.
The first timepiece presents a “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic case enriched with subtle titanium details, including “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” push-pieces with titanium push-piece guards and a “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic and titanium screw-locked crown. This deep blue ceramic shade, which pays tribute to the Manufacture’s heritage, was unveiled last year to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary, notably on the bezel of a 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph model.
Complementing the richness of the blue case is a beige Méga Tapisserie dial with “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” accents, creating a striking two-tone design. “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” counters, rhodium-coated pink gold hour-markers, 18-carat white gold hands with luminescent material, and a beige inner bezel complete the dial. The watch is fitted on a dark blue interchangeable, textured calfskin leather strap, complete with a titanium AP pin buckle, which harmoniously blends with the case.
Meanwhile, the second version combines a titanium case with a black ceramic bezel, push-pieces and crown for a powerful look.
A new shade adds vibrance to the watch, as seen in its smoked green PVD Méga Tapisserie dial, which enhances legibility. Black and beige elements enable the wearer to see information more clearly as evidenced by the black counters with beige external zones, blackened 18-carat white gold hour-markers and hands with beige luminescent material, as well as the black inner bezel. An interchangeable grey-green rubber strap with a titanium AP pin buckle adds a lively and sporty touch to the piece.
With these two new additions to the Royal Oak Offshore collection, the Manufacture manages to express the sentiments behind its anniversary slogan, “The Beat Goes On.” By continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible and building bridges between different creative worlds, Audemars Piguet is able to transcend history and create watches that not only pay tribute to its unique savoir-faire, but are also state-of-the-art and truly ahead of their time.
