Audemars Piguet unveils three new 37mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Models, marking a new era in the collection’s iconic offering
Nestled in the Jura Mountain Range, north of Geneva, Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux is an awe-inspiring haven of natural wonder. Positioned at an altitude of above 1,000 metres, the region offers scene-stealing beauty, as well as every imaginable alpine pursuit – including lakeside activities on its very own Lac de Joux. It is here, in the small but mighty village of Le Brassus, that experts in the art of Haute Horlogerie, Audemars Piguet, have been crafting high-end horological creations for over 150 years.
With multiple generations of savoir-faire going into each skillfully engineered creation, the anticipation surrounding a chronograph's release is enough to stop time. Audemars Piguet’s latest innovation sees the Royal Oak Offshore Collection welcome its newest Calibre 6401 iteration, in the form of three 37mm Selfwinding Chronograph additions.
Photo: Fleur Bult
Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet first joined forces in 1875, establishing their workshop at a time of growing industrialisation – and its accompanying threat of serial production. In contrast, the duo focused on crafting complicated mechanisms by hand, setting the precedent for the quality and visionary workmanship for which the family-owned company is still known today.
Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore Collection first launched in 1993, as a construction built for action, inspired by high-performance offshore racing yachts. With signature oversized geometry, the design was intended for moments of motion, evocative of adventurous activities and freedom-filled escapes on the waves. This year’s variations on the self-winding, integrated column‑wheel chronograph embrace new colourful contrasts that bring to mind summer’s boundless energy, all while honouring the undeniable Offshore ethos.
Photo: Fleur Bult
Marking a new era in Royal Oak Offshore’s evolution since the collection’s inaugural launch over 30 years ago, two of the new additions have been crafted in titanium, with the third iteration crafted in 18-carat pink gold. Both aesthetics and comfort are enhanced by the case’s reduced thickness to 11.5 mm, and the available accenting of a bezel set with 32, brilliant-cut, ~one-carat diamonds adds a refined, illuminating detail to both the titanium and pink gold options.
In true Audemars Piguet fashion, technical performance is paramount. The transparency of a sapphire caseback offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the Calibre 6401 mechanics, complete with rhodium-toned, 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight, and 44 jewels. 350 components make up the movement, and rounding out the features on the 37mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is Audemars Piguet’s reliable 50m water resistance, along with the company’s patented vertical clutch system, which delivers responsively smooth action and provides a reassuring 55‑hour power reserve.
Each watch’s Tapisserie dial features tone-on-tone counters, 18-carat hands in either pink or white gold, as well as oversized Arabic numerals filled with pink, light blue or turquoise luminescent material, and matching inner bezels.
Photo: Fleur Bult
Royal Oak Offshore’s vibrant DNA is reflected in a confident, new colour palette with bold, contrasting materials, reminiscent of the adventurous spirit that accompanies those moments for which the watches were intended. Not only do the Tapisserie dials present in pink, turquoise and light blue, but each model is fitted with an interchangeable bracelet crafted from rubber – and fitted with a titanium pin buckle – in a hue matching the colour of the dial.
The Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph collection delivers every reason to get out and about, to showcase the chronograph’s dazzling attributes as intended since 1993. With this latest collection, Audemars Piguet urges wearers to take time into their own hands, to make the most of what the world has to offer – on, or Offshore.
Photo: Fleur Bult