Blaze new action trails with Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore’s novelties
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The Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer’s iconic “The Beast” that debuted in 1993 now comes in even sportier and more muscular iterations for a new generation of thrill-seekers.
Created for the free-spirited
Ahead of the larger-sized timepiece trend that became popular in the early 2000s, the original 42 mm Royal Oak Offshore was an extra sporty extension of the Royal Oak. Its legions of fans run the gamut from Hollywood action heroes and sports stars to legendary musicians and entertainment moguls. In the years since its launch, the Offshore introduced size variations all the way up to 48 mm, but the 42 mm and 44 mm have remained the most sought after.
Fast forward to 2021, and Audemars Piguet gave the Offshore a makeover and a new size for today’s active men who thrive on pushing boundaries.
One man who embodies these qualities is French freerunner and parkour pioneer Sébastien Foucan. Movie buffs would most likely remember his portrayal of Mollaka in the James Bond film Casino Royale. He leapt from one crane to another with death-defying skill and then onto a roof, leaving a stunned 007 in his wake in the explosive opening scenes. Foucan’s personality, whether in real life or in acting, strongly resonates with the Royal Oak Offshore’s free spirit, consistently pushing his limits to meet new creative and physical challenges.
A new adventure in 43 mm
A new era calls for a novel size. The innovative 43 mm with five new references meets the needs of men with slimmer wrists and continues to blaze new trails.
While the original and much-loved attributes of the Royal Oak Offshore remain, the 43 mm has been reinterpreted with optimum aesthetics and refined ergonomics that fit a contemporary active lifestyle.
The bezel and chronograph push-pieces extending out from the screwed-locked crown come gently curved, offering a more comfortable wearing experience for a wider variety of wrist sizes. Completing the overall ergonomic design is the glareproofed sapphire crystal which follows a slight curve along the 12 to 6 o'clock axis that seamlessly fits the curvature of the bezel.
Another notable aesthetic enhancement comes in the sporty dial with refined finishes. The Royal Oak Offshore’s stamped Méga Tapisserie criss-cross pattern has been sharpened to add depth and the perfect balance of sportiness and elegance. Also updated is the timepiece’s logo, which now sports the sleek AP initials in applied gold instead of the long-form signature.
Leaving no stones unturned, the Manufacture has also contemporised the dial colours. The five new references now come in dark neutral shades ranging from black and grey to blue and taupe to match the colours of the interchangeable rubber straps. They contrast boldly with the ceramic or titanium bezel for a powerful visual appeal.
Powering the 43 mm is the latest in-house integrated chronograph, Calibre 4401, a selfwinding chronograph movement equipped with a column wheel and a flyback function. As with the rest of the dial refinement, the chronograph counters have been rearranged to improve legibility.
The 42mm evolution
Hot on the 43 mm debut heels, Audemars Piguet presented another tweak to its Royal Oak Offshore collection. This time, the original 42 mm got a makeover to keep up with the adventurous times.
The newest iteration features two case options in stainless steel and ultra-resistant titanium, both sporting a black rubber crown and push-pieces. The Méga Tapisserie pattern dial comes in on-trend hues of light blue (for stainless steel case) and khaki (for titanium case) that add pops of colour, complemented by matching interchangeable textured rubber straps. As in the 43 mm model, the counters have been subtly refined for augmented legibility.
The brand-new selfwinding integrated chronograph, Calibre 4404, matches the Calibre 4401 seen in the 43 mm variations in terms of function.
Versatile interchangeable straps
Last, but certainly not least, Audemars Piguet completes the Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm and 42 mm evolution by equipping them with the new interchangeable strap system, each with a wide selection of straps to be mixed-and-matched within their respective lines. Launched in early 2021 in the Diver line, they are directly integrated into the buckle and case’s studs without changing the cases’ aesthetics. This secure and efficient system enables wearers to easily switch their straps and buckles to suit their next adventure with a simple click-and-release.
Aside from its original rubber strap, each model comes bundled with an additional interchangeable strap - rubber, calfskin, or alligator for the 43 mm references matching their design, and a black calfskin one for the 42 mm versions.
A Royal Oak Offshore for every occasion
While there’s only one Sébastien Foucan in the world, any thrill-seekers who thrive on new adventures and extreme sports would also find their perfect timepiece in any of the Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm and 42 mm references.
With seven novelties to choose from, there’s bound to be one that would suit your needs and occasions as you continue to push your boundaries further and live bigger.
