Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is thrilled to announce 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.
The empty-wristed rejoice—Audemars Piguet has launched a five new models of its beloved line of Royal Oak Offshore in 43 mm.
The models are made from titanium, 18-carat pink gold or stainless steel, representing the first redesign of the Royal Oak Offshore since the 44 mm collection evolved in the early 2000s.
The line retains the essence of the original’s characteristics, with a case and dial design that has evolved both for ergonomics and aesthetics, introducing AP’s integrated flyback chronograph, Calibre 4401 into the Royal Oak Offshore collection.
In addition it’s more customizable than ever, as it’s fitted with the Manufacture’s new interchangeable strap system that makes changing them easy. 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 case has larger polished chamfers on the edges, while the bezel is slightly more curved with the screw-locked crown and chronograph push-pieces following this aesthetic.
With 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 glareproofed sapphire crystal curved from 6 to 12 o’clock fits the curvature of the bezel and completes the overall design. The trademark alternation of hand-polished chamfers and satin-brushed finishing adorning the case and bezel furthers the watch’s new aesthetic.
Since it hit the world of fine watches in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore has seem numerous updates, seeing a raft of new materials, case sizes, complications, colours and dial designs.
In 1999, the Manufacture introduced a bolder guilloché pattern – the “Grande Tapisserie” – in the Royal Oak collection. Although produced with the same engine-turning process as for the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore’s original “Petite Tapisserie” pattern, the base of the pyramids composing the “Grande Tapisserie” almost doubled in size, granting the watch a bolder look. The “Grande Tapisserie” soon followed in the Royal Oak Offshore 42 mm line.
In 2001, the Tapisserie pyramids saw yet another reinterpretation within the Royal Oak Offshore collection with the birth of the “Extra-Grande Tapisserie,” later renamed “Méga Tapisserie.” This time, the more massive pattern is no longer engine-turned, but stamped with powerful presses. This dial design was quickly adopted throughout the collection and became a key feature of the more muscular Royal Oak Offshore in 44 mm, which started to appear in 2010 and has evolved in parallel of the 42 mm line ever since.
Now, the “Méga Tapisserie” has undergone a new evolution with the release of the 43 mm size. Its criss-cross Tapisserie pattern nods to the powerful yet sophisticated aesthetic of the newly designed case.
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