Audemars Piguet Unveils a Whole New Line of Royal Oak Offshore Models
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has an anniversary coming up, and right before the date, Audemars Piguet releases 5 new Royal Oak Offshores to the Royal Oak family. While perhaps, on the surface anyway, not much has changed, these 5 watches are presented with the brands slimmed down and refined 42mm case, latest flyback chronograph movement, and interchangable strap system. Two of the five models even offer the brands Mega Tapisserie dial.
THE BASICS:
Brand: Audemars Piguet
Model: Royal Oak Offshore
Case Material: Stainless Steel, Titanium, and Rose Gold
Case Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 100m for all.
Movement: AP Calibre 4404, 49 Jewels, 70 Hour Power Reserve
Strap Options: Steel, Rose Gold bracelets - Textured Rubber Straps
Back in March, AP released a slew of new 43mm Royal Oak Offshores. The release of the 42mm Offshores with a few modern updates simply feels natural. The addition of the Calibre 4404 flyback chronograph is a nice upgrade, and offering the light blue model in steel (26238ST.OO.A340CA.01) is a welcomed addition to the collection (and also quite the looker).
Naturally, AP is hopping on the green dial steel sport watch hype train, with the addition of a forest green Offshore in titanium (26238TI.OO.A056CA.01). One of my biggest gripes about the Royal Oak Offshore is it’s weight, especially in Steel and Gold. The addition of the titanium model with the Mega Tapisserie pattern dial is probably a little more my speed than the hunk of metal that is previous iterations.
The “New Evolution” of the Royal Oak Offshore is the 42mm update to the collections staple models. These will be offered in three materials - Steel, Rose Gold, and Titanium and all feature the brands signature Petite Tapisserie textured dial.
The differences in these models are actually quite subtle, for one, the inclusion of the Calibre 4404, visible through the case back, is where it starts. The movement is well finished, and features a rose gold rotor.
On the dial side, you’ll notice a slightly more refined clous de paris’ textured dial. The recessed subdials seem to have been cleaned up with alternating textures that allow them to pop, and also utilize the 6, 9, 12 o’ clock position from the Calibre 4404 design. Additionally, you’ll notice that instead of applied indices of the old Royal Oak, you’ll find lumed indices and a cleaner chapter ring.
The new releases will come in a “Night Blue, Cloud 50” dial in steel, and a “Grey Dial” in Titanium. Additionally, the Night Blue dial will also be available in a Rose Gold case and bracelet.
All of the Royal Oaks released today will also feature the strap change system introduced earlier this year. This means that the brand will include a second strap with each of the new Royal Oak models introduced this year.
Overall, this is a pretty cool updated Royal Oak Offshore collection. The slimmed down case won’t scare away smaller wrists, and the updated dial with lumed indices make it a little more practical for underwater activities. The strap change option is also a welcomed addition to the colleciton.
How Much Does the New Royal Oak Offshore 42mm Cost?
Light Blue Steel Model (Ref. 26238ST.OO.A340CA.01) - $33,500
Green Dial Titanium Model (Ref. 26238TI.OO.A056CA.01) - $33,500
Night Blue in Steel (Ref. 26238ST.OO.2000ST.01) and Dark Grey in Titanium ( Ref. 26238TI.OO.2000TI.01) will both cost - $40,600
Blue Dial in 18k Pin Gold (Ref. 26238OR.OO.2000OR.01) - $83,000
Read more about the new 42mm Royal Oak Offshore here.