Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph

To celebrate the Royal Oak Offshore’s 30th anniversary, this new release unites black ceramic with yellow gold accents, delivering a refined and powerful contrast. The timepiece is further enriched with a Méga Tapisserie dial and an interchangeable strap endowed with a similar two-tone appearance.

This latest version of the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is encased in black ceramic with contrasting yellow gold elements on the dial, push-piece guards, studs and buckle. The addition of yellow gold extends to the caseback, where the noble metal is used to frame a pane of sapphire crystal, revealing the refined movement ticking within.

Each component of the black ceramic case necessitated a complex manufacturing process and the use of several refined hand-finishing techniques. Their composition unites Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) powder with a specific binder, albeit the precise composition of the ceramic remains a closely guarded secret.

Once the material is sintered at a temperature of approximately 1,000 °C, its final colour is revealed, appearing homogenous throughout. The different components are then pre-polished and pre-satin-brushed prior to being finished by hand, culminating in polished chamfers juxtaposed with satin-brushed surfaces. The same elegant decorations adorn the yellow gold caseback, push-piece guards and studs that attractively engage with light.

In addition, this new two-tone 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph features the collection’s latest ergonomic case design. It incorporates large polished chamfers on the edges, while the bezel along with the screw-locked crown and chronograph push-pieces are slightly curved. The ceramic bezel gently arcs from 6 to 12 o’clock, matching the profile of the sapphire crystal, and is punctuated with eight screws.

The two-tone dial of this latest model incorporates an array of textures, depths and lines. The black tones are comparatively reserved, serving as a foil for the yellow gold elements to shine.  The applied AP monogram, executed in polished gold, sits atop a black Méga Tapisserie dial, while black counters employ both white and gold elements to impart meaning.

The Royal Oak hands and hour-markers are formed of yellow gold and decorated with black lacquer. Lastly, a black minute track stands out against a yellow-gold background and is joined by a white tachymeter scale on a black background that is situated on the inner bezel. At the heart of this reference is the Manufacture’s latest chronograph movement, the selfwinding Calibre 4401. It is fully integrated and features a column wheel and a flyback function. Unlike a regular chronograph, the flyback function allows the wearer to start, stop and reset the chronograph in one simple action.

The column wheel works in collaboration with a vertical clutch system. When starting or stopping the chronograph, the hands respond accordingly without any hint of jumping. Furthermore, the push-pieces feel smooth when pressed. A patented zero resetting mechanism ensures that each one of the counter hands instantaneously resets to zero. The movement is decorated with an elegant finish that includes Côtes de Genève, circular graining, circular satin-finishing and polished bezels, all of which are visible through the sapphire case back.

This latest version of the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is presented on a black alligator strap, enlivened with golden stitching and secured to the wrist with an 18-carat yellow gold pin buckle. The studs, uniting the case with the strap, are formed of yellow gold on the dial side, once again providing eye-catching contrast. An interchangeable strap system provides a simple means of swapping the strap without the need for tools. This allows wearers to change the strap or buckle with a quick click and release. The double-push system also delivers optimal security when the watch is affixed to the wrist.