Audemars Piguet Debuts A Duo Of Royal Oak Offshore Watches In Black Ceramic

Among the many slew of recent watches that Audemars Piguet launched immediately is a duo of Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph fashions which can be produced from black ceramic. On condition that 2023 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the ultra-bold and trendy Royal Oak Offshore assortment, it was nearly a assure that we might see not less than a number of new Offshore fashions this yr, and two new watches have already joined the lineup. Resulting from the truth that the Offshore itself is actually only a variation of the unique Royal Oak design, it might generally be simple to neglect precisely how numerous the AP Offshore assortment is in comparison with the usual Royal Oak vary.  Even if the 2 new additions are each AP Royal Oak Offshore watches with black ceramic instances and flyback chronograph actions, nearly every part else concerning the two new watches is totally different, and so they finally characterize two very totally different choices.

The primary of the 2 new black ceramic Offshore fashions is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm (ref. 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01), which follows the unique profile for the Offshore collection with a black ceramic case that measures 42mm in diameter by 15.3mm-thick. The case, bezel, crown, and chronograph pushers are all produced from brushed and polished black ceramic for a largely monochromatic look, with the one contrasting components being the eight uncovered white gold screws that run by the case and bezel. Sapphire crystals are fitted to each the dial and the titanium caseback, whereas the crown screws right down to the case to assist create 100 meters of water resistance. Whereas AP has created black ceramic variations of the Offshore earlier than, the brand new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm represents the primary time that one of many fashions from the Offshore collection has been fitted with an identical ceramic bracelet. The bracelet gives the very same design as these that may be discovered on the remainder of the Offshore lineup (simply as you’ll count on), besides it’s now crafted from black ceramic and fitted with a titanium folding clasp.

Retaining with the largely all-black look of the case is a matte black “Petite Tapisserie” dial with a trio of registers, utilized luminous hour markers, and the Offshore’s signature round date window at 3 o’clock. Along with the dial printing being carried out in white, the chronograph palms are additionally completed white for added distinction, whereas the model’s emblem seems as a elegant utilized factor subsequent to the date window. Internally, you get the identical motion that may be discovered within the different Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm watches, which is the Audemars Piguet Caliber 4404. Operating at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 70 hours, the Cal. 4404 is a column wheel-controlled built-in chronograph motion that gives flyback performance and winds itself mechanically with a strong 22k pink gold oscillating weight. Whereas the core aesthetic and performance of this new watch are very acquainted, the true information right here is that you would be able to now get a Royal Oak Offshore with a full ceramic bracelet, which was beforehand solely out there inside the basic Royal Oak lineup.

The opposite new black ceramic chronograph becoming a member of the Offshore vary is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm (ref. 26420CE.OO.A127CR.01), which options accenting elements crafted from yellow gold for a two-tone total aesthetic. Whereas the brand new ceramic bracelet mannequin follows the shape issue of the unique Offshore mannequin, this new black ceramic and yellow gold mannequin embraces the extra trendy Offshore format with a barely bigger and extra imposing case that measures 43mm in diameter with chunkier guards for the crown and chronograph pushers. Moreover, somewhat than having small spherical pushers just like the basic Offshore mannequin, the extra trendy 43mm model options massive angular rectangular pushers, which finally creates considerably extra visible mass on the three o’clock facet of the case. Black ceramic is used for the center case, bezel, winding crown, and chronograph pushers, whereas the caseback, crown guards, and strap inserts are crafted from yellow gold. Moreover, included with the watch are two strap choices (one in black alligator leather-based and the opposite in black rubber), with a quick-change system to simply enable customers to swap between the 2 with out using any instruments.

Similar to the case of the watch, the dial of the brand new black ceramic and yellow gold Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm embraces an analogous colorway with a black “Méga Tapisserie” dial with utilized yellow gold hour markers which can be completed with a black lacquer central stripe. Yellow gold can also be used for the palms, minute monitor, and descriptions for the trio of chronograph registers, whereas a date window seems in its traditional place on the 4:30 location. A black tachymeter scale sits alongside the periphery of the dial underneath the crystal, and the yellow gold hour and minute hand characteristic black lacquer middle strips to match the hour markers. Internally, the brand new black ceramic and yellow gold Royal Oak Offshore is powered by the identical Caliber 4401 motion that may be discovered inside the opposite current-production Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm watches. A column wheel operated, built-in computerized chronograph motion with flyback performance, the Cal. 4401 runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) and gives customers an influence reserve of roughly 70 hours. Because of this efficiency would be the similar between AP’s two new black ceramic Offshore fashions, even though they use totally different actions.

Because the extra trendy and extroverted model of the basic Royal Oak, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore has all the time experimented with totally different case supplies, and the inherently up to date nature of ceramic is one which appears to be significantly well-suited to the Offshore lineup. The black ceramic fashions from the basic Royal Oak line are extremely fashionable, so it solely is sensible that Audemars Piguet would ultimately wish to broaden this fan-favorite model to the Offshore vary. The official retail worth of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm (ref. 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01) with an identical ceramic bracelet is $84,400 USD, whereas the black ceramic and gold 43mm mannequin is priced at $60,300 USD, which makes each of them premium choices inside the lineup (though they’re nonetheless inexpensive than the strong gold variations). Along with the truth that each use ceramic instances (which already carries a worth premium), one of many fashions options strong yellow gold elements, whereas the opposite has a full ceramic built-in bracelet and represents the very first time that Audemars Piguet has carried out this for the Royal Oak Offshore assortment. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.