New: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Variations

January 26, 2015

What s my favorite version of the Royal Oak Offshore after the illustrious Beast? This might surprise you, but I always thought the three-hand diver was a very good watch. The dial, free of cluttering sub-dials, and the crown that rotates the inner dive bezel on the side of the 42mm case looked cool, clean, and functional. The robust octagonal look is befitting of a dive watch. And now there are three new iterations as a wave of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore variations hits. There are also two new variants in the 43mm Selfwinding Chronograph collection.For a Royal Oak Offshore, a 42mm case is perfect, especially with a 14.2mm thickness. These proportions are muscular and powerful, and they accommodate a wide variety of wrist sizes. Importantly, they also dont look too big. If my budget allowed, the 300m-water-resistant Royal Oak Offshore Diver would most definitely be my choice for an ultra-luxurious dive/sports watch due to its proportions, the way it wears, and its exclusivity. And by exclusivity, I dont just mean price. Yes, the three newcomers all cost $30,000, which puts them in the upper echelons price-wise, but the ROO Diver is also rarely seen in the wild. This watch is not the obvious choice, even if Audemars Piguet is the obvious brand when youre shopping for exclusive timepieces with that edgy, sporty look rooted in high-horological expertise.Reference 15720ST.OO.A355CA.01A wave of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore variations - Three new steel DiversThere are no exotic materials to tell you about this time. There s a black and pink reference 15720ST.OO.A010CA.01, a black and turquoise reference 15720ST.OO.A355CA.01, and a teal-blue version with its black and white rotating inner bezel, reference 15720ST.OO.A403CA.01. All three novelties have a steel case.reference 15720ST.OO.A010CA.01The three newcomers feature black ceramic screw-down crowns. And these watches have plenty more elements in common, like the movement. Its the 4Hz automatic caliber 4308 with a power reserve of 60 hours. All three new references also come fitted with a dial- or accent-color-matching interchangeable rubber strap with an oversized stainless steel pin buckle.Reference 15720ST.OO.A403CA.01The 2026 ROO Diver novelties each feature a dial with a Mega Tapisserie pattern, white gold applied hour markers, and large, functional hands with a luminescent coating.The date window sits at 3 oclock, with a little magnifying glass guaranteeing its readability. Both the front and the back benefit from a glare-proofed sapphire crystal, meaning the views of the dial and the movement are crystal clear. Caliber 4308 My favorite of the three is, without a second s hesitation, the teal-blue version. With its black and white rotating inner bezel and pink gold hands and crown details, it looks timeless. It s a classy colorway that could be a future classic. At the very least, it s the golden choice for the happy few who want to dive differently.Reference 26420CD.OO.A029VE.01I count two new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding ChronographsTwo new versions of the ROO Selfwinding Chronograph debut, each featuring a 43mm case. The duo boasts oversized, elongated pushers, a clear signal that these are forward-thinking, contemporary, high-tech versions rather than retro descendants of the famous Beast. Lets start with the reference 26420CD.OO.A029VE.01 ($58,000). This is the version with a 43 14.4mm case in Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 ceramic with titanium accents. This deep blue ceramic, a tribute to APs heritage, debuted last year to celebrate the brands 150th anniversary.The distinct blue is paired with a beige Mega Tapisserie dial, Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 counters, a beige inner bezel, rhodium-coated pink gold hour markers, and 18K white gold hands with white luminescent material. Caliber 4401 This watch comes on a case-matching blue textured calfskin strap with a titanium pin buckle. Inside the 100m-water-resistant case beats the 367-part in-house automatic chronograph caliber 4401 with a power reserve of 70 hours.Reference 26420IO.OO.A402CA.01The same column-wheel-operated chronograph movement with flyback and date functions beats inside the reference 26420IO.OO.A402CA.01 ($42,400). This version has a 43 14.4mm titanium case with a black ceramic bezel and pushers. Like its blue ceramic counterpart, the front and back of the watch are outfitted with glare-proofed sapphire crystals. Both chronographs also have a black ceramic and titanium screw-down crown.The smoked green dial features a Mega Tapisserie pattern, a black inner bezel, and black sub-dials with beige external zones. Contrasting blackened 18K white gold hour markers and hands with beige lume keep the time legible at a glance.What is your favorite new Royal Oak Offshore among these? Please let me know in the comments section below.