Just released by Audemars Piguet are five brand new Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs with a case size of 42 mm, which is the original version of the series and I think it is the best. Earlier this year, the Associated Press released an updated version of the ROO chronograph with a 43 mm case, equipped with a new internal 4401 movement and an interchangeable strap. Now, we see that these five new Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs with smaller 42mm cases have received the same upgrades and improvements. Yes, there are a total of 10 new Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs this year. Although I will focus on the new 42mm model here, I have also added information about the larger 43mm series. If confused, a simple way to distinguish is to identify the horizontal (3,6,9) chronograph subdial on 43mm and the vertical (6,9,12) subdial on 42mm.
All five new 42mm ROO Chronos are equipped with the new self-winding integrated flyback chronograph Calibre 4404 movement, which is basically the same as the Calibre 4401 in the 43mm model. The only difference between the two is that the 4401 has a horizontal (3,6,9) chronograph sub-dial layout, while the 4404 has a vertical (6,9,12) sub-dial layout, which requires an additional movement board. 4404 is An integrated column wheel flyback chronograph with a vertical clutch, running at 28,800 vph, and having a power reserve of 70 hours.
Among the five new ROO watches, two are equipped with textured rubber straps that match the light blue or khaki dials, and the remaining three are equipped with bracelets that match the stainless steel, titanium or rose gold cases.
Both models with straps are equipped with Méga Tapisserie plaid dials, the blue dial version uses a titanium case, and the khaki green version uses a steel case. The remaining three have more complicated Petite Tapisserie dials. I have to say that the steel watch with the “night blue” dial is a suitable successor to the original Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph aka “The Beast”. The titanium version has a gray dial, while the solid rose gold version has the same “night blue” dial as the stainless steel version.
These five Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs are 42 mm wide, 15.2 mm thick, and water-resistant to 100 meters. 2021 Audemars Piguet New Models
If you missed the news of the 43mm version, it has been redesigned this year, with a new case and minor improvements, such as a larger polished chamfer on the edge of the case, more curves on the bezel, and a chronograph Button. Of the five 43 mm versions released, three use a stainless steel case with a ceramic bezel (dial colors are black, smoked light brown and gray), and one uses an 18k pink gold case with a ceramic bezel and black Dial, there is also a titanium metal, blue dial and titanium bezel. All models are equipped with Méga Tapisserie plaid dial and interchangeable rubber strap.
These are the 10 new Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronographs released in 2021. This is just a warm-up for AP. 2022 will be the 50th anniversary of the classic Royal Oak series, so the transformation of the more sporty Offshore series may be just the tip of the iceberg. The new Calibre 4401 and 4404 movements, exquisite cases and interchangeable straps have greatly improved the Offshore Chronograph series.
42mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Rubber Strap Chronograph with Khaki Green Titanium Dial (Ref. 26238TI.OO.A056CA.01) and Light Blue Steel Dial (Ref. 26238ST.OO.A340CA.01) ; Stainless steel bracelet (Ref. 26238ST.OO.2000ST.01) and titanium bracelet (Ref. 26238TI.OO.2000TI.01); rose gold version (Ref. 26238OR.OO.2000OR.01).
The 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Chronograph is equipped with a rubber strap, and a titanium strap with a titanium bezel (model 26420TI.OO.A027CA.01) is priced at $36,900. The titanium model with ceramic bezel (Ref. 26420IO.OO.A009CA.01), and the two steel models with ceramic bezel (Ref. 26420SO.OO.A600CA.01 brown dial and Ref. 26420SO.OO .A002CA.01 black dial). Finally, the rose gold model (Ref. 26420RO.OO.A002CA.01).