ROO is launched in a new color, with subtle design adjustments on the dial, the latest flyback chronograph movement and a quick release strap.
In September 2021, Audemars Piguet launched two new models for its Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph Collection. Decorated in light blue or khaki, there are many novelties in the dial and strap parts, but most importantly, it uses Audemars Piguet’s latest automatic flyback chronograph movement 4404. As always, this is its characteristic of combining sporty toughness with exquisite details, making the Royal Oak Offshore one of the most coveted watches in the luxury sports watch market.
With sizes ranging from 37mm to 45mm for the impressive ROO Tourbillon Chronograph, the Royal Oak Offshore is a representative series, ranging from advanced complications to gem chronographs and 300-meter water-resistant divers .
Regardless of size, ROO’s dynamic architecture gives this watch a sporty and masculine temperament. This watch was nicknamed “the beast” when it was unveiled at the Baselworld in 1993. Like the Royal Oak in 1972, the Royal Oak Offshore (ref. 25721ST) was as bold and provocative as Gérald Genta’s creation in 1993, introducing the concept of a luxury sports watch. ROO measures 42 mm, it is an oversized tear-off watch, full of textures and bold material combinations. As a branch of Genta’s iconic Royal Oak, ROO pays tribute to the legend with iconic design features, such as a raised octagonal bezel and exposed screws, a guilloché dial, an integrated bracelet and an overall industrial design atmosphere. However, ROO is stronger and bolder than RO, and uses materials that have nothing to do with high-end watchmaking. In addition to the huge proportions, what shocks many conservative watch lovers is the bold “deconstruction” exposure of the black rubber gasket between the case and the bezel and the rubber sheath of the chronograph buttons and crown. In 2018, it revisited its 25th anniversary, and in 2021, “The Beast” no longer triggers such excessive reactions and has become a stable member of AP’s investment portfolio.
Iconic Royal Oak Offshore Case
The case is made of stainless steel (blue dial) or super wear-resistant titanium (khaki). The iconic ROO case is equipped with a black rubber screw-in crown, gaskets and buttons. Similar to the original, it has a diameter of 42 mm and a height of 15.2 mm. The pusher is round with strong angular guards on both sides. The powerful raised octagonal bezel and case feature a sporty satin-brushed finish that contrasts sharply with eight polished aligned 18k white gold screws and polished bevels. The dial and case back are equipped with anti-glare sapphire crystal, which is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Point out the difference
We did begin to notice subtle changes on the dial. As a brand that doesn’t shy away from color-look at this electric blue ceramic ROO or this frosted gold RO watch with a wild purple dial-the titanium khaki choice is not radical, but the light blue strap orange and The black-dials really stand out.
Both dials are decorated with AP’s “Mega Tapisserie”, which is the larger square pattern of the Royal Oak Offshore series, which is different from the smaller and tighter “Petite Tapisserie” in the retro model and the “Grande” in between. Tapisserie”. The khaki green Mega Tapisserie has a silver counter with black printed marks on the background, while the blue dial has a black counter with orange and white marks. White gold Arabic numerals, hour markers and Royal Oak hands are all luminous. The tachymeter scale is displayed on the internal flange. The khaki model is khaki with white marks, and the blue model is black with white and orange marks. So far, nothing is particularly different.
Don’t hang up; the vertical counter shows some changes. Sharp-eyed ROO fans will immediately notice that the position of the 12-hour counter and the position of the time-lapse seconds hand have changed, which means that the 12-hour counter is now at noon and the second hand is at 6 o’clock. A good decision not only improved the legibility of the chronograph function, but also repositioned the small second hand to the more traditional 6 o’clock position. ap replica watch
But there is more, and a well-trained eye is needed to detect this difference. Compared with the previous 42mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph, the counter is now equidistant from the center, adding more balance to the dial. If you don’t believe me, look at how the 12 o’clock application index is truncated to match the 6 o’clock index size. In the Bucherer model, the top index is greater than the bottom index.
Moving to the right side of the dial, you will notice that the AP logo of the app no longer has the fully spelled brand name attached, and the date window is equipped with a magnifying glass directly integrated into the dial.
Caliber 4404
However, the biggest and most important novelty is the use of Audemars Piguet’s new automatic integrated chronograph calibre 4404. Calibre 44xx was first introduced in code 11.59. It is a modern, technologically advanced movement that originally adopted the classic 3-6-9 layout. In order to retain the iconic 6-9-12 display, it must be adjusted. Other than that, the specifications are familiar. We are working on a self-winding chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch, as well as a flyback function that allows you to stop, reset and start the chronograph with a simple action. The button starts smoothly, and the patented zero-return mechanism ensures that the hands of the chronograph dial instantly return to zero. wrist watches
Through the bottom cover, you can see this large 32 mm movement composed of 433 parts, including a reset mechanism with three alignment hammers. The decoration adopts straight and round satin brushing, Geneva stripes, pearl patterns on both sides and large polished chamfers. It runs at 4Hz, has a power reserve of 70 hours, and is wound by a 22k pink gold oscillating weight.
Interchangeable shoulder straps
Both models are equipped with Audemars Piguet’s new interchangeable strap system. Just click the button on the back of the case to release the strap. The light blue and khaki models are equipped with a textured rubber strap that matches the color of the dial, and comes with a black calfskin strap. The design is clever, such as the recessed channels on the rubber strap that taper from the lugs, creating an “integrated” effect, which is even more obvious, and the bracelet options seem to flow seamlessly from the two lug attachments. The site has a configurator to view watches with different strap options, including titanium or steel bracelets with folding clasps.
Technical specifications-Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph 42mm
Case: 42 mm diameter x 15.2 mm height-Titanium or stainless steel, brushed and polished-Black rubber buttons, gaskets and screw-in crown-Anti-glare sapphire crystal glass at the front and back-100 meters water resistance
Dial: Khaki Mega Tapisserie with silver chronograph disc and khaki tachymeter for titanium models-or-blue Mega Tapisserie with black chronograph and black tachymeter for stainless steel models-white gold Royal Oak hands with fluorescent coating Arabic numerals and hour markers
Movement: AP caliber 4404, self-produced-integrated automatic flyback chronograph, column wheel and vertical clutch-32 mm-433 parts-40 jewels-28,800 times per hour-70 hours power reserve-hours, minutes, Small seconds, date, chronograph with flyback function, 30-minute and 12-hour counters
Strap: Titanium model with khaki textured rubber strap and titanium AP pin buckle-Steel model with blue textured rubber strap and AP steel pin buckle-All with interchangeable strap system-All with extra Black callfskin strap
Reference: 26238TI.OO.A056CA.01-Titanium/Khaki Dial
26238ST.OO.A340CA.01-steel/blue dial