Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 2001 Reference No: 25721BA Movement No: 495'353 Case No: E31611 further stamped 145 Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2226, 54 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Audemars Piguet deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificat d'Authenticité confirming production of the present watch in 2001
Catalogue Essay
The Royal Oak was already disruptive in 1972 when it was launched but in the early 1990s, Audemars Piguet tasked its in-house designer Emmanuel Gueit to push the boundaries and reinvent the classic Royal Oak and infuse it with new life and power. The result was presented in 1993: the Royal Oak Offshore, a model whose design and attitude were so rambunctious that it caused controversy even within Audemars Piguet!
The Royal Oak Offshore 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.
By keeping the signature case/bezel shape and tappisserie dial, Gueit nevertheless managed to create a timepiece that would inspire sports watches that would follow.
The present example of "The Beast" is without a doubt a masterpiece of lavish suaveness. Its yellow gold case and bracelet make up for a potent formulae merged with the royal blue dial. Exclusive, opulent and brazen the present Offshore is bears the unapologetic philosophy in which the original Beast was designed.
A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.
Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.