Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection
Audemars Piguet have today revealed the latest additions to the iconic Royal Oak Offshore series at the SIHH Geneva. The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection represents the manufacture's dexterity in working with forged carbon and ceramic as base material for the watches, and the collection comprises three limited edition models which offer an all-carbon option (1750 pieces) as well as variations with rose gold (650) and platinum (75) detail. Forged carbon is exclusively used by Audemars Piguet and it is they who have developed all aspects of working with the material, from the manufacturing procedures through to the tooling required. The resulting pieces are therefore very light, extremely durable and, in keeping the Royal Oak Offshore family philosophy, distinctive watches.
Each model in the Grand Prix Collection features details unique to this edition and all draw their styling from various elements otherwise associated with Grand Prix race cars, but across the collection you will find references to air intakes, ventilated brake discs, gear ratios, instumentation, wheel rims and even aerodynamic cues. This detailing makes the collection a little different in that it offers the collector more than a revision of existing case/crown/pusher and dial combinations, with many features not seen on any other Royal Oak Offshore model.
As is the expectation from Audemars Piguet, the degree of finishing and attention to the most miniscule detail on these watches is truly incredible - and will no doubt help the manufacture account for the as yet unannounced prices.
Powered by the tried and tested 3126/3840 selfwinding chronograph movement and housed in a 44mm case, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Collection is sure to become a talking point on the watch forums in the coming days, weeks and months.
Forged carbon case, forged carbon and black ceramic bezel, blackened titanium crown, black ceramic and titanium pushpieces, titanium pushpiece guards, titanium exhibition case-back fitted with a sapphire crystal.
Limited edition of 1750
18-carat pink gold case, forged carbon and black ceramic bezel, pink gold crown, black ceramic and pink gold pushpieces, carbon pushpiece guards, pink gold exhibition case-back fitted with a sapphire crystal.
Limited edition of 650
950 platinum, forged carbon and black ceramic bezel, white gold crown, black ceramic and white gold pushpieces, carbon pushpiece guards, platinum exhibition case-back fitted with a sapphire crystal.
Limited edition of 75
*
Technical specification (Courtesy of Audemars Piguet):
Movement Calibre: 3126/3840 selfwinding Total diameter: 29.94 mm (131/4 lignes) Casing diameter: 26 mm Thickness: 7.16 mm 59 jewels 365 parts Up to 60-hour power reserve Cadence of the balance: 21,600 vibrations per hour Variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and flat balance-spring Geneva-type mobile balance-spring stud-holder Three-position winding crown Finishing: all parts meticulously decorated; mainplate circular-grained; bridges rhodium-plated, chamfered, snailed and adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. Diamond-polished jewel sinks; wheels featuring chamfered arms and diamond-polished sinks, chamfered screw slots 22-carat gold oscillating weight partially blackened and decorated with two scoops Cases Diameter: 44 mm Thickness: 15.65 mm Case-back engraved with the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix – Limited Edition Water resistance: 100 m
Dials Black with central red negative-printed exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif in eloxed aluminium, anthracite small seconds counter (at 12 o’clock), silvered and yellow 30-minute counter (at 9 o‘clock), silvered and black 12-hour counter (at 6 o’clock), yellow eloxed aluminium flange
Anthracite with central black negative-printed exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif in eloxed aluminium, anthracite small seconds counter (at 12 o’clock), silvered and yellow 30-minute counter (at 9 o‘clock), silvered and black 12-hour counter (at 6 o’clock), black eloxed aluminium flange
Black with central blue negative-printed exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif in eloxed aluminium, anthracite small seconds counter (at 12 o’clock), black and red 30-minute counter (at 9 o‘clock), silvered and black 12-hour counter (at 6 o’clock), silvered aluminium flange
White gold hour-markers with luminescent coating
Openworked and luminescent hour and minute hands in white or pink gold Straps Black calfskin and alcantara, hand-sewn with alcantara inserts and edges, pin buckle in beadblasted titanium, or 18-carat pink gold or 950 platinum. Functions Hours and minutes Small seconds Chronograph with central seconds hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters Flange with tachometric scale Date
