Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the collection this year, Audemars Piguet is paying tribute to the key model that marked a turning point in the destiny of the Offshore with its new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph inspired by the 1999 model worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film: End Of Days
The Royal Oak Offshore was released in 1993 at the Basel Fair, and immediately made waves with its imposing size – 42mm and 14mm thick, it was a big watch for the time, and perhaps, a few year ahead of its time. Large watches didn’t come into fashion for many years later, and it was the likes of the actions stars at the time that brought these bigger watches into vogue. As a result, it wasn’t until Arnold Sshwarzenegger wore a special edition of the collection in his 1999 film; End Of Days did this model line for AP come into it’s own.
As a follow up to the Selfwinding Flyback Chronograph unveiled in February (which we covered here), Audemars Piguet continues their celebration of the 30th anniversary of the collection, paying tribute to the key model that marked a turning point in the destiny of the Offshore with its new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph inspired by the 1999 End of Days model, and limiting it to 500 pieces worldwide.
Before we delve into the new model, lets first take a look back at AP’s partnership with The Austrian Oak. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a collector of pocket watches, former bodybuilder turned actor and then Governor of California visited Le Brassus in 1997. He was already a fan of the Audemars Piguet model launched in 1993, and a few months later, during a meeting in Santa Monica with François-Henry Bennahmias who was then a young salesman, his collaboration with AP was sealed.
The Royal Oak Offshore End of Days (ref. 25770SN) was launched in 1999 and celebrated the release of the film of the same name. The watch had a masculine aesthetic with a steel case covered with a PVD treatment – the first in the brand’s history – and a Kevlar strap. Several pieces of this limited edition of 500 pieces were sold to benefit Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Inner City Games Foundation, which provides sports and educational programmes for disadvantaged children. The success of this first collaboration marked the beginning of many other limited editions with the American-Austrian actor – which total nine to date, including six Royal Oak Offshore models.
Being part of the Offshore collections, the new Ceramic model is 43mm is size, 14.4mm thick and made entirely of black ceramic with the addition of titanium details, such as the studs, push-pieces and case back. AP fire the ceramic at over 1000 degrees Celsius to get the colour uniform when the zirconium oxide binds, and then this is meticulously hand finished to give the watch it’s satin and polished finish.
Audemars Piguet have given the new 30th Anniversary Edition the new-generation Mega Tapisserie dial which is off-set by the bright yellow colour of the Tachymetre scale around the dial, plus the lume of the hour markers and white gold blackened hands – another nod to the 1999 “End Of Day” version. The applied gold AP logo really stands out at 12 o’clock, while black counters grace the dial at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.
Keeping with the black and yellow theme, this new model comes with a black calfskin strap featuring a textile effect and yellow stitching. Thanks to the watch’s integrated interchangeable system, the owner can easily change his or her strap for a yellow calfskin version with black stitching.
Powering the 30th Anniversary Edition is the Manufacture’s latest selfwinding chronograph movement, Calibre 4401, which is fully integrated with a column wheel and flyback function. Being a flyback, you’re able to reset the chronograph back to zero and continue timing with the press of the reset button. Incorporating the column wheel and vertical clutch sees the Royal Oak Offshore’s seconds hand responds immediately, without jerking. Additionally, gentle pressure is enough to activate the push-pieces, and with the additional benefit of less wear and tear on the movement.
The oscillating weight is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. Crafted in 22-carat pink gold, it has been coloured by NAC process to give it an anthracite grey hue. The sapphire case back also reveals the movement’s refined decorations, including Côtes de Genève, circular graining, sunray finishing, circular satin finishing and polished bevels. Last but not least, the titanium case back is engraved with the words “Limited Edition of 500 Pieces”.
Final Thoughts
Audemars Piguet has done justice to the 1999 End of Days version by keeping true to the original model, but refining it and giving it a 2023 makeover. Where the original’s dial was quite busy and layout not as clean, the 30th Anniversary Royal Oak Offshore delivers a cleaner, more refined dial layout. This combined with the black calf-skin integrated strap and yellow stitching helps to tie the look together, and rounds out the look. Being AP, and a black ceramic AP no less that is limited to 500 pieces, the 30th Anniversary Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Flyback Chronograph will surely be in hot demand.
Reference: 26420CE.OO.A005VE.01
Specification
- Case: 43 mm, 14.4 mm thick
- Material: Black ceramic case and bezel, black ceramic push-pieces and screw-locked crown, titanium crown protectors, studs and case back
- Dial: Black dial with Mega Tapisserie pattern, counters and exterior zones in black, white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands coated in black nickel with yellow luminescence, black inner bezel
- Crystal: Glareproofed sapphire crystal
- Caseback: Titanium and sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 100 metres with a screw-lock crown
- Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4401 with 40 Jewels & vibrating at 4Hz (28,800 VPH)
- Power reserve: 70 Hours
- Strap: Black calfskin strap with textile effect and yellow stitching, titanium pin buckle. Additional interchangeable strap in yellow calfskin with black stitching.
