Collectors across the globe have admired the beauty of this “Beast” for years. A historic milestone for Audemars Piguet, Reference 25721 ST marks the beginning of the Royal Oak Offshores that we know and love today. The inspiration behind the Offshore came from one of Gerald Genta’s most iconic designs, the Royal Oak. Still in production today, the Royal Oak was first introduced to the market in 1972, during the depths of the quartz crisis. At the time, it was the most expensive steel watch ever offered to the public. In 1989, designer Emmanuel Gueit conceptualized his ideas as an evolution from the beloved Royal Oak from its classic form into a more robust and substantial watch that is able to withstand exposure to inclement weather conditions and rough terrain. When unveiled at Basel Fair in 1993, reference 25721 was shortly thereafter nicknamed “The Beast” due to what was, at the time, its astonishing 42mm case size. The Offshore was revolutionary, and arguably, it established the trend for large-sized watches, becoming the norm in today’s modern production watches.
The present example is number 70, making it one of the earliest examples of the Offshore to appear on the market. Interestingly, the first 100 examples of this rare reference omit the ‘Offshore’ designation on the caseback - simply engraved ‘Royal Oak’, as seen on the present watch.
The Offshore incorporated a chronograph complication with silicon caps on the pushers and crown, curved bracelet links, and a thick, visible gasket on the bezel. Due to the substantial size of the case, the automatic caliber 2226/2840 was placed inside an inner anti-magnetic case. The dial features a guilloché “petite tapisserie” pattern – a motif resembling small paver stones. Scholarship suggests that dials found on later Offshores have a total of nine squares along the top of the ‘Audemars Piguet’ signature, whereas these earliest versions only have eight. For over twenty years, the Royal Oak Offshore has remained a centerpiece within the firm’s collection with well over 100 different variations in existence. Its iconic, robust case with signature octoganal bezel can easily be spotted from a distance, and continues to be a favorite amongst collectors. As the only example of the first 100 Offshore’s made to ever be offered at auction, it is a rare gem. Accompanied by its presentation box and certificate of origin, it will surely delight collectors who appreciate historically significant examples of iconic watches.