2023-09-17 22:05:43
The Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet is pleased to launch two new Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs in 43 mm
These two variations, which celebrate the 30th anniversary of the collection and join the references revealed at the start of the year, combine different materials including ceramic, titanium and gold. Available in two aesthetics and offering optimal ergonomics, these models are completed by a calfskin strap with textile effect and are powered by the Manufacture’s latest automatic chronograph movement, Caliber 4401.
Ergonomics and combination of materials
These two new 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph models reinterpret the 26405CE model launched in 2020 in 44 mm. Combining materials such as ceramic, rose gold and titanium to offer a contrasting aesthetic and optimal readability, these new models emphasize ergonomics. Their design is distinguished in particular by large polished chamfers on the edges, while the bezel, the screw-down crown and the chronograph pushers trace a curved profile. The bezel is slightly curved from 6 to 12 o’clock, thus following the profile of the sapphire crystal.
Both models also incorporate ceramic elements resulting from a particularly demanding manufacturing process and benefiting from meticulous finishing techniques in order to respect the quality criteria of the Manufacture. The ceramic is composed of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) powder combined with a specific binder. Once the material is sintered at a temperature of around 1000°C, its color appears. The difficulty of this step consists of obtaining a perfectly homogeneous color. The various components are then pre-polished and pre-satined before being finished by hand, with the highlight being polished chamfers adjoining the satin-finished surfaces.
Deep blue or bright gray
The first model combines the black ceramic case with a blue ceramic bezel, pushers and crown for a deep contrast. The ceramic components decorated with the Manufacture’s emblematic hand finishes are contrasted by pusher guards and titanium studs. The timepiece is decorated with an intense blue smoked Mega Tapisserie dial which gradually turns black at its periphery. The dial is punctuated by three black counters arranged at 9 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 3 o’clock and illuminated by luminescent white gold stick indexes and hands, accentuating its readability.
The second reference sports a luminous aesthetic with an 18-carat pink gold case enhanced by a titanium bezel to which the bracelet studs and pusher protectors respond. The crown and pushers are designed in black ceramic, in harmony with the chronograph counters of the same color which stand out once morest the uniform gray Mega Tapisserie dial. The latter is punctuated with luminescent rose gold baton indexes hovering over matching hands.
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Automatic / 43 mm © Audemars Piguet
A unique bracelet in the collection
These two 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs feature the strap interchangeability system introduced in 2021 by the Manufacture and their textile-effect calfskin straps add an additional touch of elegance and refinement.
Matching the color of the dial, these bracelets, introduced for the first time in the collection at the start of 2023, are lined with black stitching. In both cases, they are accompanied by a second black rubber strap, offering a sportier alternative.
A fully integrated chronograph
At the heart of these Royal Oak Offshore models beats Caliber 4401, the Manufacture’s latest integrated automatic chronograph movement equipped with a column wheel and flyback function.
Unlike simple chronographs, this function allows you to reset and restart the chronograph with a single press of the pusher. The column wheel works in symbiosis with the vertical clutch. When started or stopped, the seconds hand responds immediately, smoothly. What’s more, the pushers are designed to provide gentle pressure. When reset to zero, the hands of each counter all instantly return to vertical thanks to a patented process. The movement is decorated with refined finishes such as Côtes de Genève, perlage, sunburst, circular satin-finishing and polished chamfers – visible through the sapphire caseback.
By combining various materials and meticulous finishes, these two 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph models bring a contemporary and elegant touch to the collection.
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