Audemars Piguet’s oversized sports watch line-up gains a pair of entry-level models with the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding 37 mm and 43 mm. While the current versions in the catalogue are the colourful (and polarising) Music Edition, the new duo are no-frills with clean designs and muted colours.

The 37 mm model combines light grey with 18k pink gold, while the 43 mm model is stainless steel and blue. Both feature “rubberclad” bezels for a more robust and sporty finish that harks back to the original Offshore Rubberclad of some two decades ago.

Initial thoughts

While some recent Royal Oak and Offshore launches felt over the top in design, the new Selfwinding pair op to keep it simple. They preserve the key elements of the design, namely a chunkier case with crown guards, but keep the styling clean.

The low-key design is attractive, especially for someone who wants an Offshore without any of the fuss. That said, the rubber-covered bezel means the signature Royal Oak finishing is absent, though the covering makes it arguably more resistant to bumps than metal.

Although the Offshore has often been a testing ground for different materials, such as carbon composite, ceramic, and rubber coating, the designs usually retain a metal alloy bezel finished with the high-end polishing technique traditional for the Royal Oak that results in the trademark play of light on the contrasting finishes.

Rubberclad

The 18k pink gold model is compact at 37 mm in diameter and 12.1 mm thick, which would usually be described as mid-sized. The bezel is also solid gold but coated in grey rubber that echoes the Grande Tapisserie guilloche dial that’s finished in a metallic ivory hue.

The indices and hands are solid pink gold and filled with luminescent material for legibility in dark environments.

Like all recent Offshore models, this has a quick-release mechanism for the strap, allowing for easy swapping. It’s equipped with an unusual ivory “mosaic” patterned rubber strap, though a more discreet black mosaic rubber strap is included with the watch.

The Royal Oak Offshore 37 mm contains the cal. 5900, a thin movement that is only 3.9 mm high.

Made by Vaucher for Audemars Piguet, it runs at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz) and offers 60 hours of power reserve. It’s dressed up with decorative finishing, as well as a 22k pink gold oscillating weight that’s been coated black.

The larger, full-sized model features a 43 mm stainless steel case that is 14.4 mm thick. The stainless steel bezel is coated with blue rubber, matching the colour of the strap and dial. The smoked blue Méga Tapisserie dial similarly has solid gold indices and hands.

Similarly featuring AP’s quick-release strap mechanism, this is fitted to  a more conventional rubber strap in blue, though a black rubber strap is included.

The Royal Oak Offshore 43 mm is equipped with in-house cal. 4302 that operates at a 4 Hz and offers 70 hours of power reserve. Decorated with striping, graining, and chamfering, the cal. 4302 is fitted with a rotor made of black-coated 22k pink gold.

Key facts and price

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding 37 mm
Ref. 77605OK.OO.A101CA.01

Diameter: 37 mm
Height: 12.1 mm
Material: 18k pink gold and rubber
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Cal. 5900
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 60 hours

Strap: Grey rubber strap with mosaic effect and 18k pink gold pin buckle; additional black rubber strap with mosaic effect

Limited edition: No
Availability: At Audemars Piguet boutiques starting August 2024
Price: US$47,200

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding 43 mm
Ref. 15605SK.OO.A350CA.01

Diameter: 43 mm
Height: 14.4 mm
Material: Stainless steel and rubber
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 4302
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: Blue rubber strap and stainless steel pin buckle; additional black rubber strap

Limited edition: No
Availability: At Audemars Piguet boutiques starting August 2024
Price: US$27,400

For more, visit audemarspiguet.com