In the early 1990s, the watch industry was recovering from the quartz crisis and the mechanical watch was becoming popular again. However, the wristwatches were still classically designed and relatively small in terms of diameter. In 1993, Audemars Piguet took the bold step of launching a masculine watch. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore was born - a massive 42mm automatic chronograph. At that time, this polarizing wristwatch made for a wide variety of opinions. Some were astonished, the others shocked. Today we know that the Royal Oak Offshore created a huge trend which would later spread throughout the industry.
Because id the large diameter of 42mm, which was of way above the standard of the 1990s, collectors called this watch "The Beast". Some typical Royal Oak design elements were used, but of course changed to a bolder version. For example, the gasket between the case and the bezel has been made visible. The octagonal bezel with its hexagon screws made the watch look even more massive.
The dial has a tapisserie surface. There are three sub-dials with chronograph minutes and hours and the small second at 12 o'clock. The date window with the magnifying glass is at 3 o'clock. A tachymeter scale is integrated in the outer ring of the dial. The chronograph pushers and the crown are wrapped in a rubber-like fireproof material that further enhances the watch's protection.
This particular Offshore has been overall greatly preserved. The guilloche dial and all sub dials are free of any imperfections. The titanium case and bezel have natural wear making this watch very honest. The engravings on the caseback are crisp. The titanium bracelet is integrated and also very good preserved. The watch is powered by caliber 2226/2840 and runs flawlessly.
This Royal Oak Offshore becomes a true collector's watch due to the present certificate of origin of Audemars Piguet, which confirms the originality of this example.
Serial number: E94xxx
Int.Exe.: 2007020