The history of this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
When the Royal Oak Offshore made its debut at Baselworld in 1993, its proportions were so striking that it earned the nickname ‘The Beast’. It features the octagonal bezel with eight screws from the 1972 Royal Oak, set within a wider, thicker case designed for sporting use. Its automatic chronograph has a history of its own. As early as 1981, the Le Brassus-based company commissioned Dubois Dépraz, based in Le Lieu, to develop a chronograph module for an automatic base movement produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre in Le Sentier. The first Audemars Piguet model to feature this mechanism was launched in 1986, and the same movement subsequently powered the first Royal Oak Offshore. The reference 26020ST.OO.D001IN.01.A continued this lineage in the mid-2000s, featuring a 42 mm steel case and the third generation of this movement, which debuted in 2004.
Case, calibre and strap of this Royal Oak Offshore
The 42 mm steel case features a brushed octagonal bezel, edged with a polished chamfer and secured by eight hexagonal screws. The brushed case middle forms a crown guard around the crown and the two pushers, which are sheathed in black rubber; the crown features a steel ferrule stamped with the AP monogram. The solid caseback, secured by eight screws, is engraved with ‘Royal Oak Offshore’. The black ‘Méga Tapisserie’ dial features luminescent Arabic numerals and baton hands, a tachymeter scale on the flange, a small seconds sub-dial at 12 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock. Inside, the calibre 2326/2840 provides automatic winding and chronograph functions, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The watch is water-resistant to 100 m. The integrated brushed steel bracelet fastens with an Audemars Piguet-branded folding clasp.
Why this Audemars Piguet watch
Since 2021, the Royal Oak Offshore has been based on an integrated chronograph developed and produced by Audemars Piguet. This version retains the design cues of the previous generation, with its large Arabic numerals, its Mega Tapisserie dial and its round sub-dials – a configuration that the Maison no longer produces. Its calibre brings together the work of three watchmakers from the Vallée de Joux: Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, Jaeger-LeCoultre in Le Sentier and Dubois Dépraz in Le Lieu. On its steel bracelet, it transitions effortlessly from a sporty look to a smart, city-ready look without needing to change the bracelet. Serviced by the Manufacture, it is ready to wear upon receipt, with no immediate maintenance required.
Contents supplied and condition
The watch is supplied as an Audemars Piguet Full Set, with its wooden case, outer box, warranty booklet and card dated May 2008, its instruction manual, the original proof of purchase issued in Geneva in 2008 and the Audemars Piguet service estimate from 2024. It has undergone a full service and polishing of the case and bracelet by Audemars Piguet. The brushed surfaces and polished chamfers have been restored to sharp edges, with no visible marks in our photographs.
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.
* Very good condition – watch has been worn. Slight signs of external wear. Case and strap in excellent overall condition.
