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843

Audemars Piguet

Ref. 26030IN

Royal Oak Offshore Juan Pablo Montoya Chronograph, "Prototype"

A rare and possibly unique prototype stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with carbon fibre inserts, date, numbered 000/000

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Celebrated as one of Colombia’s national treasures, Juan Pablo Montoya is among a handful of drivers who have not only won Gran Prix titles in Formula One, but have also found success in the Indianapolis 500 and Rolex 24 Daytona. Entering the world of motorsports through go-karting, Montoya’s career truly took off in 1996 as he raced in F3000 and Formula One testing, before making his F1 debut 5 years later. Having enjoyed a fruitful career in both Williams and McLaren, the athlete then moved on to compete in the NASCAR circuit in 2006. Still seen speeding through the tracks today, his years of dedication to the racing community have accoladed him as one of the greatest racing icons of our generation.

In 2004, Audemars Piguet announced their appointment of Juan Pablo Montoya as a brand ambassador with the launch of a highly coveted Royal Oak Offshore in honour of this ‘beast’ of a racer. Gaining instant traction among AP collectors and racing enthusiasts, the ref. 26030PO is a limited edition of only 100 pieces.

Lo and behold, the present Royal Oak Offshore Juan Pablo Montoya is a unicorn piece, offered in stainless steel, unlike its commercially sold siblings encased in platinum. Majestic inside and out, the present timepiece carries its own unique reference number, 26030IN, and certainly deserves its own Gran Prix title for its extreme rarity and powerful presence.

Numbered 000/000, this is a truly rare and distinctive wristwatch, heavily influenced by the aesthetics and mechanisms of race cars. At first glance, one may only see a signature grand tapisserie patterned dial in blue. With a hidden twist, the centre of the dial is in fact embossed with a subtle waving checkered flag. Instead of using the usual hexagonal screws, its carbon-fibre bezel with 8-cylinder head screws is another notable feature, driven by this exciting sport. Combined with its pedal-like pushers and clutch-disk-shaped rotor, this substantial wristwatch is designed and crafted like a true auto racing machine. The watchmaker also took a step further into fine-tuning the leather strap with padded details, drawing from race suits worn by high-end motorsports competitors.

Offered in an attractive overall condition, this is a true collector’s piece, ready to be shown off at the next racing season.

Audemars Piguet

Swiss | 1881

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.

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