FASHION
AUDEMARS PIGUET CELEBRATES THEIR ICONIC WATCH WITH A NEW DESIGN
APRIL 3, 2023
-
WORDS
by TATIJANA SHOAN
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy of AUDEMARS PIGUET
Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is thrilled to unveil the latest addition to their collection of luxury watches - the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph. This new model is a tribute to the original Royal Oak Offshore “End of Days” which was launched in 1999 in partnership with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and started the trend for numerous collaborations with celebrities. The contemporary design of this new timepiece features a black ceramic finish with yellow accents, and is limited to only 500 pieces, celebrating 30 years of the Royal Oak Offshore collection's legacy.
The Royal Oak Offshore made its debut at the Basel Fair in 1993 and quickly gained recognition for its bold design and oversized proportions. However, it was not until a few years later that the collection's success would really take off. The Offshore range forged partnerships with industries far beyond Haute Horlogerie, collaborating with sports, music, and entertainment personalities. This edition was an instant success, propelling the Offshore collection into the limelight and starting the tradition of special editions.
Audemars Piguet launches the New Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph: A Homage to 30 Years of Innovation
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the collection, Audemars Piguet is paying homage to the key model that marked a turning point in the destiny of the Offshore with the new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, inspired by the 1999 model. The latest edition is presented in a 43mm case, similar to the models introduced in 2020. It features an entirely black ceramic finish with titanium details, such as the studs, push-pieces, and case back. The octagonal bezel is attached to the case with eight steel screws. Despite its large size, the watch weighs only 103 grams, thanks to the choice of lightweight materials.
The ceramic material used in the manufacturing process is an extremely hard and durable material, but not very malleable. It has been meticulously finished to match the complex lines of the Royal Oak Offshore case, highlighting its nuances and achieving the Manufacture's high-quality standards. Ceramic is made of zirconium oxide powder, combined with a specific binder, and its homogeneous color appears once the material is fired at a temperature exceeding 1000oC. Each component is pre-polished and pre-satin-finished. The lines, angles, and bevels are meticulously hand-finished to achieve the Manufacture's signature alternating polished and satin surfaces.
