As part of the first 500 pieces ever produced, this particular example features some unique characteristics, which make it particularly sought-after by collectors.
The development history of the
Royal Oak Offshore between 1989 and 1993 mirrors in many aspects that of its primary source of inspiration, the original
Royal Oak. In 1989, the joint Managing Director of
Audemars Piguet, Stephen Urquhart, tasked a young, talented designer named Emmanuel Gueit to design a derivative version of the
Royal Oak. Reportedly, the purpose of the request was to stimulate flagging sales of the
Royal Oak by appealing to a younger audience.
The development process was arduous, with the project being interrupted and resumed on several occasions due to the controversial design of the watch, most notably its 42mm diameter. Rumour has it that when the watch was released at
Baselworld in 1993, where it came to be nicknamed ‘The Beast’ due to its staggering proportions. Gerald Genta, the designer of the iconic
Royal Oak and
Nautilus, burst into the
Audemars Piguet stand at
Baselworld, denouncing the
Offshore as having ruined his original design. However, the polarising design has achieved cult status since.
The Beast reinterprets key design features from the original
Royal Oak. The dial adopts the tapisserie dial from the original
Royal Oak 5402, yet introduces sub-dials for the chronograph and a date function with a magnifier. A tachymeter scale is also printed on the chapter ring. Further reinforcing the utility aspect of the watch, the chronograph pushers and crown are wrapped in a rubber-like material called therban, which is a high-performance elastomer that is fireproof to very high temperature. The stylised crown protection also clearly sets this watch apart, as a tool geared towards an active life.
The bracelet features thicker, rounded links and the correct double folding blade-type clasp, which was only fitted on the first 500
Royal Oak Offshores ever made. Often replaced with a service clasp, finding the original blade-like clasp is essential for collectors of early
Offshores.
The watch is powered by
caliber 2126/2840, based on an ébauche by
Jaeger LeCoultre. The automatic movement was fitted with a
Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. The unprecedented case size of the
Offshore allowed the movement to be placed inside an anti-magnetic cover, thus giving the first
Offshore excellent antimagnetic properties.
The Beast is accompanied by its original box featuring a glass porthole, which only came with the first 500 examples of the
Offshore, with later examples having a similar box but with a solid leather top instead of glass. The original sale receipt from August 1997 and the original information booklet are also included.
The watch was recently serviced by Audemars Piguet, in May 2019. It is accompanied by its service receipt and service guarantee from authorised retailer Bucherer.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment only.
