2021 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 43mm

by Chamath Gamage 22 March, 2021

Audemars Piguet has unveiled the latest update to their Royal Oak Offshore collection, with the brand now releasing the watches in a new 43mm case size, with 5 models made from stainless steel, 18-carat pink gold, or titanium. This is the first time the Royal Oak Offshore collection has had a redesign, ever since the first 44mm collection was released back in the early 2000s. The 5 models being released by the Manufacturer are stainless steel case with a black dial and smoked taupe dial, a titanium case with a blue dial and grey dial, and lastly an 18-carat pink gold case with a black dial.

Design:

The all-new 43mm case that Audemars Piguet is using for the new Royal Oak Offshore collection comes with larger polished chamfers on the edges, giving it a more refined look. The bezel along with the screw-locked crown and chronograph push pieces all have been given a slight curvature, to give it that extra visual appeal. Four out of the five models (titanium not included) feature a ceramic bezel, which gives the models a nice contrast between the case and the bezel itself. To further the aesthetics of the watch, Audemars Piguet has retained the Manufacturer’s trademark alternation of hand-polished chamfers and satin-brushed finishing on the case and bezel.

The case isn’t the only piece that’s getting a remodel for the new Royal Oak Offshore collection. The ever recognisable “Méga Tapisserie” pattern dial that comes in black, grey, taupe, and blue hues for this collection has been given a slight update. To offer enhanced contrast and a more refined finish, the pyramids composing the Tapisserie have been sharpened and connected using a raised cross pattern.

The squares at the top of the pyramids are finished with satin-brushed to match the case’s equally refined characteristics. Audemars Piguet has also re-arranged the sub-counters from what we are accustomed to on the Royal Oak Offshores. As they say, to improve legibility, the minute counter is now located at the 9 o’clock position, the hour counter at 3 o’clock, and the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock.

The new Royal Oak Offshore collection will also get the new interchangeable strap system that the Manufacture has implemented on their latest releases this year. The interchangeability system has been directly integrated into the buckle and case’s studs, so it seamlessly blends with the case’s aesthetics.

Movement:

The movement used for the new Royal Oak Offshore collection is the Manufacturer’s latest in-house integrated chronograph; the calibre 4401. This calibre 4401 is equipped with a column wheel and flyback function, which means that the chronograph can be restarted without having to stop or reset it first. The movement gives out a frequency of 4hz (28,800 VpH) and has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

With a newly measured case, a more refined “Méga Tapisserie” dial and all-new movement, the new Royal Oak Collection by Audemars Piguet retains all the essence of the original Royal Oak Offshore, all the while evolving to have more optimum aesthetics and ergonomics.