2013/03/11

*Audemars Piguet "New Productions 2013 SIHH"

Audemars Piguet the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 44mm

 

THE FIRST SERIES-PRODUCED CHRONOGRAPH IN THE OFFSHORE COLLECTION TO FEATURE AN ALL CERAMIC CASE-MIDDLE AND BEZEL, THIS EXTREMELY SPORTY 44 MM-DIAMETER MODEL ACCENTUATES ITS EFFECTIVE AND VIRILE DESIGN THROUGH THE INTENSITY OF ITS BLACK COLOURING.

The choice of ceramics for this chronograph is above all due to its exceptional toughness and durability. This material is far harder than steel and resists scratching by anything but diamond. The technical corollary of this performance is that each ceramic element requires a far longer machining time. It takes almost 12 hours to make the case middle of the Royal Oak Offshore chronograph, while the bezel also calls for over eight hours more work than the same part in steel.

This highly sophisticated finishing work on ceramics equals the quality of the finishes performed on the steel parts. It confirms the expertise developed by the Manufacture Audemars Piguet in the field of innovative materials such as Cermet, tantalum and ceramics that are featured in its high-performance sports models. Driven by a concern for detail and in order to minimise any risk of scratching, the Audemars Piguet engineers pursued their quest for excellence right down to the smallest details by also choosing ceramics for the pushpieces and crown of this model. Only the case-back with its sapphire crystal and the strap-fastening studs were produced in titanium while the bezel screws are made of steel.

For this model exuding an aura of rigorous strength, the Manufacture in Le Brassus has chosen a black dial bearing the “Méga Tapisserie” motif typical of Royal Oak Offshore models, with the small seconds subdial appearing at 12 o’clock and the chronograph counters at 6 and 9 o’clock. The latter are easily identifiable by their red hands – a shade echoed on the tip of the central chronograph seconds hand.

This sophisticated chronograph with its incisive design features a wealth of opulent detailing. The manually applied hands and hour-markers are made of white gold with a luminescent coating ensuring optimal readability in the dark. The date window at 3 o’clock complements the functions of this instrument powered by Manufacture Audemars Piguet Calibre 3126/3840, endowed with a 55-hour power reserve. Some of the 365 parts of this selfwinding movement, equipped with an openworked 22-carat gold oscillating weight featuring an anthracite galvanic coating and engraved in the centre with the AP initials, may be admired through the sapphire case-back.

This masculine chronograph with its resolutely virile design is teamed with a black rubber strap fastened by a titanium pin buckle.

Boldly representative of modern times, this instrument is water-resistant to 100 metres and virtually unalterable thanks to the choice of a high-density technical ceramic material. It reveals the Manufacture Audemars Piguet’s forward-looking approach by enriching the collection with this sporting timepiece radiating unequivocal luxury and a contemporary spirit that is at ease in any situation and equipped to handle all kinds of conditions.