The original “Muscle Watch” is changing things up again. Launched in 1993 at 42mm, the Royal Oak Offshore was a giant at the time – and even more so in 2000 when it appeared in a 44mm version. It has been given an update for 2021 and is now available in 43mm steel, gold or titanium iterations. Modifying the diameter of a watch with such a long and successful pedigree means prolonging its future and attuning it to the spirit of the times... which is all about more reasonable sizes. Yet diameter isn’t everything. Audemars Piguet has also modified the lugs, the volumes in order to make the ROO more... civilized. At the same time, as is often the case for the brands that are full-fledged manufactures producing their own movements, Audemars Piguet has equipped it with its new selfwinding flyback chronograph caliber. In doing so, it endows the collection with a 3,6,9 display along with a date window shifted to between 4 and 5 o’clock.
As is only natural, the changes are accompanied by a redefinition of the dial. Its Méga-Tapisserie motif has been given more depth, its contours have been modified and it now features the brand’s new signature, an applique that simply reads “AP”. The new Reference 26420 comes with two interchangeable straps.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selwinding Chronograph 43 mm
CASE: titanium with grey ceramic bezel, crown and pushers, transparent sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 100m (10 bar)
SIZE: 43 x 14.4mm
MOVEMENT: mechanical self-winding, Caliber 4401 with 70-hour power reserve
FUNCTIONS: hours, minutes, seconds, date, flyback chronograph
DIAL: Gray Mega-Carpet with blue 3,6 and 9 o’clock counters
STRAP: Grey rubber secured by a pin buckle, supplied with an additional blue rubber strap
