The Royal Oak Offshore traces its roots back to 1972, when Audemars Piguet introduced the original Royal Oak, a watch conceived by Gerald Genta that effectively created the luxury sports watch category. When AP tasked designer Emmanuel Gueit with building something larger and bolder for a younger generation, the result was a 42mm case with rubber chronograph pushers and a presence that management nearly rejected entirely. The watch was initially launched in 1993 as a limited anniversary piece of just 100 examples, though collectors latched on quickly, and the Offshore soon grew into one of the most popular models in the lineup.
Today, Audemars Piguet is proud to continue that legacy with the release of three new, colorful Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph models. Sized in a robust 42mm and crafted from a mixture of metals, depending on the reference, the Royal Oak Offshore proves its nautical narrative with a glareproof sapphire crystal, rubber screw-down crown, and rubber push-pieces water resistant to 100 meters. Each model features Audemars Piguet’s Méga Tapisserie dial, and comes accented with touches of color seen on the tachymeter scale and on the counters at 9 and 12 o’clock.
Each watch comes fitted with a matching textured calfskin leather strap and is powered by Audemars Piguet's Calibre 4404 flyback chronograph movement, visible through the sapphire caseback. Functions include a flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date. Together, the three models showcase the Royal Oak Offshore's sporty personality while adding a summer-ready twist. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs are now available at authorized boutiques worldwide, starting at $42,500.