When the Royal Oak timepiece was launched in 1972 by Audemars Piguet, it was met with a lukewarm response. Many critics could not get used to the steel case, octagonal bezel, “tapisserie” dial and integrated bracelet.

The Royal Oak was designed by Gerald Genta who created the very first sports-luxury wristwatch and the design itself was avant garde. The design was inspired by the traditional diver’s helmet with the octagonal-shaped bezel with now very recognisable eight visible hexagonal screws.

That said, the 1970s were a very challenging time for the watch industry given it was facing the quartz revolution. The reliable mass-produced quartz movement had looked set to replace the mechanical watches so Audemars Piguet is to be admired for taking a risk that paid off.

However, more than 40 years after its launch, the watch has gained a following and is now one of the most coveted timepieces in the Audemars Piguet family. This year, the oldest fine-watchmaking manufacturer which is still in the hands of its founding families — Audemars and Piguet — debuts three new versions of the Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Chronograph.

Each model features a new dial design, and black ceramic case with textured rubber strap. In this collection, you have a choice of smoked blue, green or grey dials, each incorporating the manufacturer’s “Mega Tapisserie” pattern and new Arabic numerals which replace the customary applied hour-markers.

Both the blue and green dial options feature a 44mm ceramic case with matching ceramic bezel, pushpieces and screwlocked crown. The pushpiece guards are made of titanium. The third version features a smoked grey dial combined with an 18-carat pink gold bezel and pushpiece guards. The case, pushpieces and screwlocked crown are made of black ceramic.

Housed within each model’s contemporary case is the Manufacture Calibre 3126/3840, harnessing traditional craftsmanship and watchmaking expertise. This self-winding movement comprises 365 components and will run autonomously for at least 50 hours.

The new Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Chronograph is presented on a colour co-ordinated textured rubber strap, ideally suited for the wearer with an active lifestyle.

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SELF-WINDING CHRONOGRAPH 44 MM

Functions

Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.

Case Black ceramic case, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, blue ceramic bezel, pushpieces and screw-locked crown, titanium pushpiece guards, waterresistant to 100m.

Dial Smoked blue dial with “Mega Tapisserie” pattern, rhodium-toned counters, black inner bezel, white gold Arabic numerals and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating.

Strap Blue textured rubber strap, titanium pin buckle.

Movement Specifications Self-winding Manufacture Calibre 3126/3840 Total diameter 29.92mm (13¼ lignes) Total thickness 7.16mm Number of jewels 59 Number of parts 365 Minimum guaranteed power reserve 50 hours Frequency of balance wheel 3Hz (21,600 vph) 

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SELF-WINDING CHRONOGRAPH 44 MM

Functions

Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.

Case

Black ceramic case, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, green ceramic bezel, pushpieces and screw locked crown, titanium pushpiece guards, waterresistant to 100m.

Dial

Smoked green dial with “Mega Tapisserie” pattern, rhodium-toned counters, black inner bezel, pink gold Arabic numerals and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. Strap Green textured rubber strap, titanium pin buckle.

Movement Specifications Self-winding Manufacture calibre 3126/3840 Total diameter 29.92mm (13¼ lignes) Total thickness 7.16mm Number of jewels 59 Number of parts 365 Minimum guaranteed power reserve 50 hours Frequency of balance wheel 3Hz (21,600 vph)

ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SELF-WINDING CHRONOGRAPH 44 MM

Functions

Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.

Case

Black ceramic case, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, 18-carat pink gold bezel and pushpiece guards, black ceramic pushpieces and screw-locked crown, water-resistant to 100m.

Dial

Smoked grey with “Mega Tapisserie” pattern, rhodiumtoned counters, silver-toned inner bezel, pink gold Arabic numerals and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. Strap Grey textured rubber strap, 18-carat pink gold pin buckle.

Movement Specifications

Self-winding Manufacture calibre 3126/3840 Total diameter 29.92mm (13¼ lignes) Total thickness 7.16mm Number of jewels 59 Number of parts 365 Minimum guaranteed power reserve 50 hours Frequency of balance wheel 3Hz (21,600 vph)