Audemars Piguet

PuristSPro's 2010 SIHH Live Reporting by Z3

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph in RG

(...with Appearances by Two Very Special Guests!)

 

This is the new high complication Offshore introduced this year. The piece is so popular that I couldn't get a chance to look at it during the previous appointment.

Then on the very last day of SIHH, I was fortunate enough to run into Mr. Martin Wehrli - a veteran "AP" man for almost four decades, the director of the AP museum, and a walking encyclopedia of AP history and fine watch-making. He offered to show me the new Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph in a private room. Needless to say, I was ecstatic!

 

 

 

 

Here are the live photos - a massive piece (44mm, thicker and larger than the regular ROO, but in my humble experience still quite "wearable" on the wrist compared to T3, Shaq, and Arnold All-Stars ROO) with rose gold, forged carbon bezel and ceramic crown and pushers, plus a case with attractive and consistent color combination (predominately rose gold, plus various shades of silver, gray and black).

The movement is Calibre 2912. The dial is openworked to show the details of this cool and sophisticated movement, featuring:

- High-performance chronograph with column-wheel and coupling lever

- Tourbillon composed of more than 70 parts

- 237-hour power reserve

- Twin fast-rotating barrels

 

 

 

Comparing size and thickness with my Survivor (sorry for this unconventional comparison, but the Survivor was the only watch on me and the only one available watch in the room).

 

Mr. Wehrli modeling the watch...

 

 

As I was shooting the watch, another jovial gentleman joined us in the room....

It's no other than the designer of the Royal Oak himself - Mr. Gerald Genta! What an honor!

 

Mr. Genta, with a rare version of the original Royal Oak with gold bezel on his wrist, handles the Tourbillon Chronograph and the Survivor...

The two titans of the industry were both amused and shocked, if not a bit confused and discomforted, by how the original Royal Oak has evolved to what we see today=)

 

 

Additional wrist shots.

 

 

A beautiful watch with a lot of details. What do you think of it?

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

 

Yours truly,

Jon (Z3)

 

This message has been edited by Z3 on 2010-01-24 14:25:38 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2010-01-24 17:25:29

the second close up picture of
Mr. Genta looking at Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph
is just precious
I like the Survivor better
Best
Damian
This message has been edited by Ares501 on 2010-01-24 14:33:01

any idea what is the purpose, function of the 2 openings at 12h and 6h??
Thanks for the great report

Karim

I had the pleasure to also meet Mr. Martin Wehrli a few years ago, he seemed to be a very kind and sincere gentleman. He toured our group through the museum with great pride and unlimited knowledge of AP.

I really like the fact that Mr. Genta still sports a RO, IMHO it is the best watch design ever.

Meeting either one would make for a special day, very cool to meet Mr. Genta and Mr. Wehrli on the same day.

The Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph looks great although seems large for those of us with small wrists. The new clasp has a great design.

JerryW

It looks much beefier indeed than the Survivor. This is a superior piece by all standards. Thanks for posting these pics!!!

No message body

It must have been amazing to speak with Gerald Genta about this watch, and get his thoughts on how his designs have evolved.  I love that Mr. Genta is wearing a Royal Oak.  It's a wonderful design.  For my taste, it is preferable to many of its modern brethren.

Cheers,

Daos

The watch that Mr. Genta had one was very beautiful and timeless. It is a good example where "less is more"...

I think also they certainly share the same root, it wouldn't be always "fair" to compare the modern offshores (especially the limited editions) to the classic royal oaks. Think of it as post-modernism vs. classicism=) - both are appealing forms of art, to different crowds.

I like all of them.

Jon (Z3)

Thanks for the continuing coverage z3. It must have been a great surprise to meet both Mr. Wehrli and Mr. Genta in a private environment to see the new ROO tourbillon chrono.

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

Regards,
ED-209

I wonder what Mr Genta's feelings are about how the Royal Oak has evolved.  Wonder if he's pleased, not so happy, or ambivalent.

Cheers,
Anthony

By the ROO novelties in recent years.

Honestly, not sure if they liked them...

Maybe the brand is getting too carried away "Offshore" from the traditional fine-watch making that AP is well-known for.

Jon

I feel Mr. Gentas face reveals how he thinks the Royal Oak has developed.  I may be the only one out here, but I think the Grand Prix is hideous, along with so many of the ROO LEs that have been generated recently.  Feel  free to  flame away, but that is my honest view,

 

All the best, either way, Tim

As long as you don't try to present YOUR POV as THE ONE.

This goes for both pro and con.

And no, flames NOT allowed.

So which is your favorite of the classics?

Cheers,

TM

What an incredible looking Offshore.