Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Dawn of New Day

Key Points from the Discussion

• The prototype coating process was developed by PuristS founder Dr. Thomas Mao, with Audemars Piguet's permission. There were two batches, with the second batch showing improved coating evenness, identifiable by case back serial engravings.
• The contributor inquired about the specifics of the coating process, whether it was an aftermarket application, and if it has seen commercial use in other watches, given its potential to address a major drawback of traditional PVD/DLC.
• The ability to collaborate with a brand like Audemars Piguet on such a custom project is considered extremely rare, if not impossible, in the current watch industry landscape, highlighting a past era of more open brand engagement.
• The author personally designed the watch dial, including the hand colors, with certain combinations requiring AP's approval.
• Beyond the Offshore, Dr. Thomas Mao also produced prototype watches with various coatings, including some Royal Oaks, and potentially different metals for certain components like bracelets.
• The watch's aesthetic shares similarities with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'End of Days' model, suggesting a complementary relationship in their design ethos.