SIHH 2010: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (Ref. 26288OF.OO.D002CR.01)

Last week the Swiss watchmaker has presented its new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (Ref. 26288OF.OO.D002CR.01) hand-wound wrist watch. As usual, the watch bears that signature bulky presence with a massive rose gold body and a fixed bezel, which is crafted from forged carbon fiber material.

Just like Hublot with its Big Bang series of watches and some other major watchmakers that have enough funds to go the ‘trial and error’ way, Audemars Piguet keeps experimenting with different high-tech materials that are usually associated with the world of rocket science, microelectronics and motor sports.

In this particular case, the watchmaker referred to the materials that are known for their high durability, relative lightness and scratch-resistance: namely, forged carbon fiber and ceramic. And, what’s the most impressive, the premium Swiss brand is brave enough to mix carbon fiber with natural alligator leather!

Fighting for wealthy customers with the aforementioned Hublot, AP has produced a watch with its body made in brushed rose gold and the bezel machined out of forged carbon fiber material. Its winding crown and a pair of push-pieces are made of black ceramic (the crown also has a rose gold insert with AP logo on it.)

Although looking very unusual, the watch still possesses that undeniable mojo, which is comparable only to that of ultra-expensive luxury cars, like Bugatti Veyron and Rolls-Royce Phantom, or oceanic super-yachts.

Well, with a list price of some $325,000 (give or take,) the new timekeeper is also almost as expensive as a supercar.

According to the Swiss watchmaker, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (Ref. 26288OF.OO.D002CR.01) is powered by an entirely new AP 2912 caliber. Although hand-wound, it is still quite bulky, being impressive 10.67 mm in height and 34.6 mm in diameter (the reason for that are probably the two oversized spring barrels that hold enough energy to keep the watch going for almost 10 whole days or 237 hours.)

It is no wonder that its 44 mm case is 16.6 mm thick. Weighing around half a pound, the watch makes for a self-defense weapon of choice.

Photos: Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph (Ref. 26288OF.OO.D002CR.01) watch specification

Price range: $325,000
Movement: AP 2912, hand-wound, 328 parts, 30 jewels, 21,600 vph, 10.67 mm high, 34.6 mm in diameter
Complications: Chronograph, tourbillon
Power reserve: 237 hours
Case material: 18-carat Rose gold
Bezel material: Forged carbon fiber
Case shape: Round, Octagonal bezel
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire crystal caseback
Case size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 16.60 mm
Dial: Black, skeletonized
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Gold
Strap: Hand-stitched, crocodile strap with square scales, 18-carat pink gold AP folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflection coated
Water resistance: N/A