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

The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph (Ref. 26278IK.GG.D002CA.01) watch is not really a new timekeeper. In fact, this is the same AP RO Offshore that we all know and some of us love so much, still 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 new Audemars Piguet 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 steel but covered with bright red rubber.

The red color of the rubber, though absolutely revolting, is probably chosen for its close relation to the world of ultra-expensive sports car.

For the same reason, I guess, the three chronograph totalizers are, too, painted red with contrastingly white hands and small numerals.

The combination of black, red and white has its own advantages, though.

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 o’clock of the counter are almost as thick as the tiny chronograph hour hand o. And they are painted in the same color, too!

If the lighting is not really good, persons with poor eye sight may have really hard time reading the chronograph indication.

On the other, err, hand, the hour and minute hands, as well as the eight Arabic numerals are generously covered with white Superluminova and are highly legible both in broad day light and in the dark of night.

Due to an impressive price of the timekeeper (the watch retails at around $35,000, give or take) 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.

Photos: Audemars Piguet

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

Price range: $35,000
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 meters
Strap: Black rubber with folding clasp in shot-peened titanium
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated