Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph (26278IK.GG.D002CA.01)

The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph watch is not really a new watch. It is the same R.O. Offshore equipped with the new AP 2326/2840 chronograph caliber, but featuring a little bit different combination of materials and colors.

As you can see on the official photos, the Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 comes packed in a titanium case with a black rubber bezel and hideous-looking winding crown and push-pieces made of red rubber. The red color, though absolutely revolting, is probably chosen for its close relation to the world of ultra-expensive sports car. For the same reason, the three counters of the chronograph are also painted red with contrastingly white hands.

Thanks to the chosen color scheme, the watch seems to be quite legible. The 12-hours totalizer at 6 o’clock may cause you some problems, though, because the four additional markings on 3, 6, 9 and 12 look almost as thick as the tiny hand of the counter. And they are painted in the same color, too!

Audemars Piguet plans to limit the model’s production to mere 100 units, so you may have to hurry-up in order to reserve one for yourself.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph watch’s specification:

Price range: N/A, very expensive
Movement: AP 2326/2840 caliber, automatic, 28,800 vph
Complications: Chronograph, date
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case material: Titanium, rubber
Case dimensions: 42 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black, “Mega-Tapisserie” decoration
Water resistance: 100 m
Strap: Black rubber with folding clasp in shot-peened titanium
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated