Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Platinum

AUDEMARS PIGUET, ROYAL OAK, OFFSHORE, 42MM,  PLATINUM, LIMITED EDITION, « THE BEAST OF THE BEAST »

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Iconeek is very proud to introduce here an impressive, heavy, exclusive, sought-after and rare Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in full platinum, a limited edition to only 50 pieces, reserved at the time to AP most important collectors.

The legend started in 1972, with the birth of the Royal Oak, featuring Gerald Genta’s design. In 1989, thanks to a young talented designer, a new generation and concept was presented to the AP board and few years later in 1993, at the Basel Fair, a bulky, massive and luxury new Royal Oak was finally introduced: the Offshore. Because of its unusual jumbo and thick size, the model was nicknamed « The Beast ». No more available, the present model was the first Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph entirely crafted in platinum, probably a wink and tribute to the fact that the Royal Oak was the very first stainless steel luxury sports watch when launched in 1972.

The present watch ticks all the boxes that any discerning collector will look for: rarity, collectabillity, full-set, first-owner, condition, desirability, look, complication and brand. Over the last decade, Audemars Piguet has continuously growing in collector’s demand and wish list for several reasons such as the quality of the products, the small quantities delivered each year, the design (thanks to Mr Genta), the independency of the manufacture and moreover among the best sport-chic watches ever produced. When the famous brand decided to pay tribute to their iconic model by making the present  platinum one, it has to be exceptional, exceptional by the big proportions, by the important weight, by the price, by the strictly limited quantities (50) that would be reserved for best clients.

With a weight approaching half a kg is not another heaviest watch, the model is an « Heavy » Royal Oak, beacause it sets the benchmark on many fronts, being one of AP most special watch ever created. With its giant proportions, massive construction, luxury finish, incredibly attractive and elegant smoked dial with constrasting black registers, tachymeter scale, pushers and crown, trained eyes will notice that this watch is not a regular Offshore. Nothing has been done simply: a platinum case instead of a steel one, a two-tone smoked dial instead of a monochrome, black ceramic buttons instead of steel, transparent case back instead of a plain back, no mistake can be done with a regular production, the model is an UFO in AP galaxy. Reason why with a retail price at 122’000 CHF without tax, the model was quickly sold out after its release. Because of its exclusivity, the model was only available at the Audemars Piguet boutiques.

The model comes with a three-body construction: a large and heavy, water-resistant, platinum tonneau-shaped case with black ceramic chronograph pushers in the band, screwed black ceramic winding crown bearing the AP logo protected by a crown guard, a transparent case back secured by 8 screws, an octogonal polished and brushed platinum bezel, sapphire crystals on top and back. Under the sapphire crystal, we find an attractive smoked ardoise dial with « grande tapisserie » decoration, luminous rhodium hands, three guilloche black registers for the constant second at 12, the 30-minute register at 9, the 12-hour register at 6, aperture for the date at 3, outer black ring bearing the tachymeter scale, large applied black Arabic numerals, applied steel AP logo. The model is powered by a caliber 3126/3840, rhodium-plated, with 59 jewels, straight line lever escapement, gyromax type balance and 22k gold rotor, with Dubois Depraz chronograph mecanism. The present model comes with a removable full platinum AP bracelet with concealed secured double deployant clasp, the approx. overall length is 195 mm. Dial, case and movement are signed. The present watch is furthermore accompanied by its original fitted green AP presentation box and outer packaging, user manual, guarantee card, as well as an AP document for insurance.

When speaking about collectible and high-end luxury sports watches, two names come immediately in mouth: Nautilus (PP) and Royal Oak (AP), the « the best ennemies ». However, do not look on Patek’s  side to find a Nautilus Chronograph in platinum, it simply does not exist. Part of a 50 pieces limited edition, the present watch is one of the most outstanding sporty and luxurious chronograph creation ever seen in watchmaking. When knowing the growing interest of demanding collectors for important, rare and remarquable AP creations, the present watch is highly appealing and collectible.

Impressive, Awesome, Iconic, a rare opportunity to get the « Beast of the beast ».

Condition: 9/10, offered in superb condition, some very light signs of wear in places, full-set, first owner