The new Royal Oak Offshore from Audemars Piguet for 2014 has undergone a major change in its case size. The original Royal Oak Offshore stood as an oversized version to the regular Royal Oak, with a case dimension of 44mm. This model was released in 1994 at a time when watches were growing in size. Today, the trend is leaning once again to watches with case sizes between 40-42mm. The Royal Oak Offshore for this year carries a case diameter of 42mm, which allows the Offshore collection to be assessable by gentlemen with smaller sized wrists.
Apart from the difference in case diameter, the watch comes marginally thinner with a case thickness of 14.54mm. Though this is thinner the watch still maintains its chunky aesthetics and sporty appeal. The new 42mm model is available in 5 variations from stainless steel to the ever popular rose gold on rubber. Like the original Offshore, the newer model also features 100 meters water resistance making this model ideal for daily wear. The case is satin finished on all models with the only exception being the hexagonal screws along the famous octagonal bezel.
The dial is guilloche patterned in the brand’s classic mega Tapisserie design, which has all been crafted by hand. The dial features counters at the 6, 9, and 12 positions, with the counters at 6, and 9 corresponding with the chronograph. The subdial at 12 displays the continuous seconds. At the 3 position is a magnified date aperture. Minute and hour hands carry lume while the chronograph seconds is indicated by a central hand. On the flange is a graduated tachometric scale, which displays average speed when used with the chronograph function.
Powering this model is the caliber 3126/3840, which is an in house movement made by Audemars Piguet. These watches are secured by the stylish and functional AP folding clasp.
