Swiss Watches
The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph (Ref. 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01) watch is the latest (and, probably, the last) time-measuring device created together with the legendary sportsman, actor, and a politician.
The Swiss watch brand and the Austrian man of legend have a long story of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Raising money for his After-School All-Stars charitable organization and some other causes, Mr. Schwarzenegger has introduced at least six limited edition watches, those including the well-known AP ROO T3 and the AP ROO Arnold Schwarzenegger Chronograph.
Now, that one of the most famous Austrians is going to retire from politics and return to his actor’s career, he once again partners with Audemars Piguet to introduce a self-branded high-end timepiece.
And, of course, it is based on the Royal Oak Offshore series, his favorite in the AP range, and is inspired by the “Royal Oak Offshore Arnold’s All-Stars Chronograph” Ref. 26158OR.OO.A801CR.01 watch presented a couple of years ago.
Like the older Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph (26278IK.GG.D002CA.01) and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Mexico special edition chronos that were introduced two years ago, the new watch is powered by the time-proven Calibre 2326/2840 automatic movement.
Comprising 370 components and sporting whole 50 rubies, the device is 29.92 mm in diameter and is only 6.20 mm thick. Alas, its maximum power reserve of 38 hours is rather low by today’s standards.
The movement is encased in a large octagonal case, which is made of black ceramic. Its fixed bezel and the crown are also made of the same extremely scratch-resistant material.
It is worth noting that the Ref. 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01 is the first watch in Audemars Piguet’s history that features an all-ceramic case with its middle and the bezel made of this material.
Of course, there is also a lot of gold here, including the hands, the applied Arabic numerals and the four hour markers, the round insert in the crown and both chronograph pushpieces.
The screws that attach the bezel to the case and the engraved case back are made of titanium. The use of the lightweight metal doesn’t help much in weight reduction, but it certainly looks great in combination with the ceramic parts of the case.
According to the Swiss company, the watch will be delivered in a limited edition of 1500 pieces.
They plan to sell it on an anthracite aramid fiber strap that blends perfectly into the design of the watch, but there will also be a supplementary strap in hand-sewn black crocodile leather with large square scales if you prefer organic materials.
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 3.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
See also: Richard Mille RM 017 Tourbillon Extra Flat
Photos: Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph (Ref. 26378IO.OO.A001KE.01) automatic watch specification
Price: $47,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, AP Calibre 2326/2840, in-house, 29.92 mm in diameter, 6.20 mm in height, 50 jewels, 28,800 vph, 370 components, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date
Power reserve: 38 hours
2Case material: Black ceramic
Bezel material: Black ceramic
Case shape: Octagonal
Bezel shape: Octagonal
Case size: 48.00 mm
Lug width: No data
Case height: 14.10 mm
Dial: Black with “Mega Tapisserie” motif
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Gold
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Anthracite aramid fiber strap, along with an additional strap in hand-sewn black crocodile leather with large square scales
Crystal: Sapphire
Case back: Solid, titanium, engraved