Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet announced the release of a new Royal Oak Offshore line in 43 mm with 5 models honed from titanium, 18-carat pink gold, or stainless steel. This new launch represents the first redesign of the Royal Oak Offshore since the evolution of the 44 mm collection in the early 2000s
While retaining the essence of the Royal Oak Offshore’s original characteristics, the design of the case and dial has evolved to offer optimum aesthetics and ergonomics. These models also introduce the Manufacture’s latest integrated flyback chronograph, Calibre 4401, in the Royal Oak Offshore collection. Last but not least, the new Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm is fitted with the Manufacture’s new interchangeable strap system that enables wearers to change straps easily.
The new 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore in titanium, 18-carat pink gold, or stainless steel combines the collection’s strong identity with a more ergonomically refined design. The case presents larger polished chamfers on the edges, while the bezel as well as the screw-locked crown and chronograph push-pieces follow a slight curvature for more visual appeal. To the exception of the all-titanium version, the other four timepieces in the collection feature a ceramic bezel for a powerful two-tone contrast. The glare-proofed sapphire crystal curved from 6 to 12 o’clock seamlessly fits the curvature of the bezel and completes the overall design. The manufacture’s trademark alternation of hand-polished chamfers and satin-brushed finishing adorning the case and bezel furthers the watch’s new aesthetic.
The new Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm line introduces the manufacture’s latest in-house integrated chronograph, Calibre 4401, in the Royal Oak Offshore collection. This self-winding chronograph movement is equipped with a column wheel and the flyback function that enables to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first.
Calibre 4401 also features a vertical clutch system that prevents hands from jumping when the chronograph is started or stopped, as well as a patented zero-resetting mechanism ensuring that each one of the counter hands is seamlessly reset to zero. The movement’s dedicated blackened 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and refined decorations, including “Côtes de Genève,” “traits tirés” and circular graining can be admired through the sapphire caseback.
The caseback also reveals components usually hidden from view such as the column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammers. With its self-winding mechanism, 70 hours of power reserve and water resistance to 100m, Calibre 4401 perfectly complements the Royal Oak Offshore.
This new line is fitted with the manufacture’s new interchangeable strap system. The interchangeability system has been directly integrated into the buckle and case’s studs, in perfect harmony with the case’s aesthetic codes. The new system will allow the clients themselves to change the straps and buckles of their timepiece with a quick click and release. The double-push system also grants optimum security when the watch is worn on the wrist. In addition, the interchangeable rubber straps in black, blue, grey and brown hues adorning the different models, as well as the AP pin buckle, are endowed with a new design.
The Royal Oak Offshore’s “Méga Tapisserie” pattern – adorning the dial, available in shades of black, grey, light brown and blue – has been newly designed to offer enhanced contrast and high-end finishing. The pyramids composing the stamped Tapisserie have been sharpened and connected to one another with a raised criss-cross pattern that adds depth to the dial. The pyramids’ finishing gives a satin effect in an echo to the case’s bold yet refined aesthetic. Extensive programming and numerous prototypes were necessary to reach the perfect balance of sportiness and elegance.
The chronograph counters have also been rearranged to improve legibility: the minute counter now appears at 9 o’clock, while the hour counter is positioned at 3 o’clock. In addition, the date window has been moved closer to the inner bezel between 4 and 5 o’clock. The small seconds counter is, for its part, at 6 o’clock.
Furthermore, the watch presents the new Royal Oak Offshore logo adorning all new models across the collection. The applied gold AP initials appear without the long-form signature at 12 o’clock. The dial also features more assertive gold Royal Oak hands adding to the watch’s powerful identity.
