Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph: Malaysia Price and Review

Audemars Piguet ups the ante for the Royal Oak Offshore’s 25th.

In 1972, Audemars Piguet grabbed headlines with the unveiling of the Royal Oak. At that time, most watches were small and slim, but the Royal Oak had the audacity to sport a 42mm case with such an aggressive design profile (for that time).

Moreover, it was marketed as a luxury steel sports watch, a concept unheard of in the 1970s. And with it priced higher than a gold dress watch, people were naturally flabbergasted. But while conservatives and purists baulked, the Royal Oak slowly and surely began to win over those who wanted to stand out.

In 1993, the Le Brassus manufacturer once again challenged convention, this time with the Royal Oak Offshore introduced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak.

This watch was bulkier and even more exaggerated compared to the Royal Oak. Once deemed outrageous, the Royal Oak looked tame next to the Royal Oak Offshore. Taking sports luxury where none have gone before, the Royal Oak Offshore was an immediate success. Even up till today, celebrities and entrepreneurs looking to flash their swag would rock a piece.

This year, in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore, Audemars Piguet has upped the ante yet again with its latest rendition of the Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph. Presented in a choice of either stainless steel or 18K pink gold, this hefty timepiece is 45mm in diameter and 16.1mm in thickness.

More appropriate for larger wrists, the watch is edgier in terms of design as it features polished bevels that run along the sides of the integrated lugs that are now wider and steeper. The black ceramic chronograph push-pieces and their respective crown guards look fiercer while the nut-shaped, screw-locked crown (also in black ceramic) is large enough that hand-winding the watch becomes less of a chore.

While maintaining its signature octagonal shape, the bezel has been pared down and hollowed out to fit a sapphire crystal along with the Royal Oak’s iconic hexagonal bezel bolts beneath it. Apart from that, the dial has also received heavy reworking leaving it essentially skeletal. All that’s left are the chronograph minute sub-dial at three o’clock and the graduated track on the periphery. The rest of the dial consists of the movement, including the eight skeletonised bridges that support it.

Powering this handsome monster is the all-new in-house Calibre 2947 based on the existing Calibre 2912. Made of 353 parts and sporting 30 jewels, the Calibre 2947 is a hand-wound marvel that boasts seven days of power reserve. Held snugly by eight signature bezel bolts via the skeletonised bridges, the suspended look of the movement gives it depth and a sense of mystery as well as wonder. Flip the watch over and the sapphire crystal caseback will reveal a sprawling chronograph complication heavy in steampunkish vibes.

Hefty in terms of styling and price, the Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph is definitely a piece that will get anyone’s attention but not in a loud and abrasive kind of way. It’s fierce and handsome at the same time. But move fast because each version is just limited to 50 pieces worldwide.

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