AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE CHRONOGRAPH

The story behind this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

In 1993, 21 years after the Royal Oak designed by Gérald Genta, Audemars Piguet unveiled the Royal Oak Offshore at the Baselworld fair. Emmanuel Gueit, the brand’s designer, had been given a specific brief: to retain the Royal Oak’s signature features whilst giving them greater impact. Nearly four years of development resulted in a 42 mm case, a diameter so unusual at the time that the watch was nicknamed ‘The Beast ’. The brand subsequently adapted this design to a 37 mm size, a format that retained the octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws and the massive case of the original. Reference 26231ST.ZZ.D027CA.01 is the stainless steel version with a gem-set bezel, blue dial and blue rubber strap, which is still available from the brand.

Case, movement and strap of this Royal Oak Offshore

The 37 mm stainless steel case is 12.4 mm thick and features a combination of brushed surfaces and polished chamfers. Its octagonal bezel, secured by eight hexagonal screws, is set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling approximately 1.02 carats, with four stones on each of its eight facets. These stones cast small white flashes against the blue of the dial. The sapphire crystal is anti-reflective, the screw-down crown and pushers are made of steel, and the solid screw-down caseback is engraved with ‘Royal Oak Offshore’. The watch is water-resistant to 50 metres. The blue dial, featuring the Lady Tapisserie pattern, houses three blue sub-dials – an hour counter at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and the small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock – as well as a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands are in white gold with a luminescent coating. Inside, the self-winding calibre 2385 is a column-wheel chronograph comprising 37 jewels and 304 components, beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offering a 40-hour power reserve. The blue rubber strap fastens with an AP stainless steel folding clasp.

Why this Audemars Piguet watch

This model combines, in a 37 mm case, the chronograph complication, factory-set gemstones and the Offshore design – a rare combination amongst steel sports watches. The gem-setting carried out by the Manufacture is documented on the original invoice, which specifies the weight as 1.024 carats, thereby ruling out any questions regarding the origin of the stones – a crucial point for a second-hand gem-set bezel. A Royal Oak Offshore is rarely available without a waiting list through the brand’s network. This one is available immediately, complete with its original documentation ensuring its traceability.

Contents supplied and condition

Purchased in June 2022, this watch comes with its complete Audemars Piguet set. This includes a wooden box, a green cardboard outer box, a black leather travel case, an international warranty card in its sleeve, and the original Audemars Piguet invoice dated June 2022. The watch has been worn and shows only slight signs of external wear; its case, gem-set bezel and strap remain in excellent overall condition. It can be worn as it is, with no cosmetic work required.

Warranty and delivery

The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and collection in-store, or fully secure international delivery.