Audemars Piguet ROYAL OAK EXTRA-THIN SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON (RD#3) "50TH ANNIVERSARY" 26660ST.OO.1356ST.01

Quadruple Jeweled Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph 37mm The dazzling luxury of the four jewel-set chronographs continues the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore.

In 1993, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet launched a stronger, more manly, ultra-sturdy version called the Royal Oak Offshore. With its colossal diameter of 42mm at the time and its bold combination of materials, the Royal Oak Offshore was dubbed "The Beast". Over the years, the Royal Oak Offshore has adapted to the unisex market trend and is now available in a variety of sizes. The latest releases are four 37mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs, which stand out with vibrant colored gemstones or ice-white diamond-set bezels. Echoing the collection's recent overhaul, the four chronographs also feature a new Lady Tapisserie pattern and subtle design tweaks on the dials.

The 30th birthday of the Royal Oak Offshore is still in full swing, followed by anniversary pieces such as the stylish black ceramic and gold JPS ROO chronograph, the complicated ROO tourbillon and chronograph, the full A nostalgic revival of the black ceramic ROO or even the ROO chronograph commemorating Schwarzenegger's 1999 blockbuster End of Days.

The latest four models of the Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph all have a 37mm case, are 12.4mm thick and are water resistant to 50m. Compared to the aforementioned models with 100m water-resistant cases (including the tourbillon and chronograph combination), the water resistance of these 37mm models is a bit on the low side for a rugged sports watch. The octagonal bezel is polished to accentuate the structure of the case, which features contrasting matte satin-brushed surfaces and polished chamfers. Although the bezel is set with precious stones, the eight screws still play the leading roles.

Not only are the four new models available in a variety of precious and non-precious metals, they also feature vibrant gem-set dials with brilliant-cut or baguette-cut stones. The four configurations are as follows: the bezel of the 18k rose gold case is set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds, the dial is light blue, and the rubber strap is beige; the bezel of the stainless steel case is set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds, the dial is Salmon color, gray rubber strap; 18K yellow gold case bezel set with 32 baguette-cut tsavorites and blue and yellow sapphires, blue dial, blue rubber strap; second 18K The bezel of the rose gold case is set with a multicolored gradient combination of 32 baguette-cut rubies, tsavorites, topaz, tanzanite, amethyst and colored sapphires, and the dial is black.

Following the introduction of the 43mm version of the ROO chronograph, AP decided it was time for a subtle design overhaul on the 37mm version. Novelties include a new Lady Tapisserie pattern on the dial, with a slightly wider truncated pyramid than the previous version, the removal of the snail decoration on the minute circle, and the addition of a new AP letter pattern at noon, replacing the transfer of the earlier version Audemars Piguet sign. The appliquéd gold hour-markers also stand out slightly, and like the gold Royal Oak hour and minute hands, are treated with a luminescent coating. Thankfully, the background color of the date window located between the 4 and 5 o'clock position indexes matches the color of the dial.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the new 37mm chronograph is not equipped with the 4401, the latest generation of AP's in-house chronograph movement. The movement used inside is the AP 2385 movement based on the Frédéric Piguet 1185 architecture. The movement features a Tricompax layout, integrated column wheel chronograph, beats at 21,600vph/3Hz, and provides a 40-hour power reserve for the chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date functions.

The rubber strap that comes with the watch comes with a second rubber strap of a different color with a folding clasp that matches the case material and AP Interchangeable System.

Technical Specifications – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph 37mm
Case: Diameter 37mm x Thickness 12.4mm - stainless steel, pink gold or yellow gold case, brushed and polished - diamond set bezel, tsavorite and blue and yellow sapphire set bezel or rainbow set bezel - all set with 32 brilliant or baguette-cut stones - screw-down crown - anti-glare sapphire crystal - solid case back - 50m water resistance
Dial: Salmon pink, light blue, dark blue or black with new Lady Tapisserie motif - no snailed chapter ring - new AP monogram - more sporty hour-markers - gold-applied hour-markers and luminous Material treated gold hour and minute hands - tone - tone-on-tone date window between 4 and 5 o'clock positions
Movement: Caliber 2385 (Frédéric Piguet basis) - Automatic integrated column wheel chronograph - 40 hours power reserve - 21,600vph/3Hz frequency - Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date
Straps: Each watch comes with 2 interchangeable rubber straps and a folding clasp to match the material of the case
Reference: 26231OR.ZZ.A085CA.01 in 18K rose gold, set with diamonds
26231ST.ZZ.A178CA.01 stainless steel
26236BA.YY.D346CA.01 18K Yellow Gold
26236OR.YY.D002CA.01 18K Rose Gold, Rainbow Stones