Royal Oak Offshore Diver

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Royal Oak Offshore Diver - Audemars Piguet
In 2014, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver collection is enriched with a model positively glowing white with the ultra-hard white ceramic.

This new timepiece complements the Royal Oak Offshore Diver range, which is water-resistant to 300m and protected by an anti-magnetic inner case. The model’s distinctive case-back screws, intermediate bolts and hexagonal screws secure the case as securely as a submarine hatch. The Diver is equipped with a time pre-selection device that is in compliance with the NIHS 92-11 norm.

Royal Oak Offshore Diver, ref. 15707CB.OO.A010CA.01

The use of white Super Ceramics means the new Diver’s bezel, case middle, pushers and crown are 40% more resistant to scratches than if black ceramic had been used (1850 Vickers vs. 1300 Vickers hardness). In fact, white ceramics are 9 times harder than steel, meaning the manufacture of these components is a particularly complex and lengthy process.

For example, it takes around 12 hours to make the case middle, compared with 1 ½ hours if it were in steel; 8 hours to make the bezel, compared with 45 minutes if it were in steel. The upshot is that the new Royal Oak Offshore Diver is almost totally scratchproof, meaning in turn that the octagonal bezel’s trademark satin-brushing and polishing finishes are particularly difficult!

Royal Oak Offshore Diver, ref. 15707CB.OO.A010CA.01

The inner bezel is rotated by a unidirectional ratcheted mechanism linked to a crown at 10 o’clock. This mechanism reinforces the technical nature of the model while preserving the legendary aesthetic of the octagon. Once the crown is screwed in again, there is no risk of inadvertently modifying the dive time. The case protects the internal rotation mechanism from any form of external aggression.

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François-Henry Bennahmias