Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: 1998 Reference No: 25721TI Movement No: 461'202 Case No: E05260 Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore Material: Titanium Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2126/2840, 51 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Audemars Piguet Titanium bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Audemars Piguet Titanium deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Extrait de Registre confirming production of the present watch on December 12, 1998.
Catalogue Essay
In the early 1990s, Audemars Piguet tasked its in-house designer Emmanuel Gueit to reinvent the classic Royal Oak model and infuse it with new life and power. For years, Gueit and his team worked on a prototype and subsequently presented the final product, reference 25721, in 1993 in Basel. The result was astonishing and something completely different from what the public had ever seen before. It was shortly nicknamed “The Beast” due to what was, at the time, its astonishing 42mm case size. The launch of reference 25721 marked the beginning of the Offshore lineage. In fact, it arguably established the trend for large-size watches, which today is the complete norm. The model was released in titanium and stainless steel.
The present "E Series" in titanium is an incredibly well-preserved example, displaying an attractive grey dial which perfectly compliments the grey tone of the case material.
So integral is this model to Audemars Piguet that the manufacture re-released reference 25721 in their current line in production in 2021 - reference 26238TI which houses an automatic in-house movement.
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.