Royal Oak Offshore

AP Royal Oak Offshore:

The design of the Royal Oak Offshore was inspired by Emmanuel Gueit. He had an idea for a more durable Royal Oak in 1989. Gerald Genta criticized this sportier style, but younger collectors embraced the larger case.

They nicknamed it ‘The Beast’ because of its size and weight. Audemars Piguet released a limited test run of 100 units for the anniversary model in 1993. The larger case quickly gained attention in the watch market. The Offshore gained prominence, frequently serving for material testing and limited edition releases.

The initial Royal Oak Offshore, with a 42mm case width, featured ‘Royal Oak’ engraved on the case back. Subsequent versions incorporated ‘Offshore’ on the case. The first public reference, ‘The Beast’ ref. 25721ST, marked the model’s debut.

In 1996, at Baselworld, the Royal Oak Offshore premiered with eight new dial colors and vibrant straps. The ‘The Beauty’ model, the first all-gold edition, was also unveiled in 1996. The 25721BA reference featured a 42mm yellow gold case and matching bracelet, showcasing the ROO as more than a mere functional timepiece.

This famous watch, aside from its larger case size, incorporates bold design elements and innovative materials for Audemars Piguet. While it pays homage to the original Royal Oak with its hexagonal shape, exposed screws, and integrated bracelet, it possesses a unique and robust character.

Distinctive to Audemars Piguet, the Tapisserie or square dial pattern takes center stage. The Mega Tapisserie on this unique timepiece showcases larger squares compared to the Grand Tapisserie used on the Royal Oak. Different Offshore models feature varying sizes of the Tapisserie dial.