OFFSHORE MANIA
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore reference 25721, one of the most exciting watches of the past decades made its official debut at the 1993 Baselworld to a bewildered unexpecting crowd. Since then the Offshore has gone on to become an extraordinarily recognizable watch with countless variations and an array of ambassadors ranging from businessmen to athletes to Hollywood types.
1993 – BEAST IS BORN
Lovingly deemed “The Beast” for its eccentric beefed up design and dimensions. It is a watch that strayed away from the known Audemars Piguet mold. It was initially “test run” on a very small batch of 100 examples to serve as a pilot program to gauge demand. The telling trait of this small batch can be clearly seen on the case back as the word “Offshore” is absent. Each watch is individually numbered (#32 belongs to the Audemars Piguet museum).
THE ORIGINAL “BEAST” – AVAILABLE AT VINTAGE WATCHES MIAMI
Pictured is Offshore ref. 25721 and number 51 hailing from 1993 and accompanied by a box and its original extract of archives from Audemars Piguet. Available in mint condition and fitted with a beautiful crisp dial that showcases grey and blue hues.
FIRST EDITION OFFSHORE & FIRST EDITION BRACELET
Alongside the absence of the word “Offshore” our first edition is fitted with a first edition bracelet, which further completes the watch. This special bracelet was available on the first 500 examples, it is characterized by its double folding clasp. This type of bracelet was later replaced and is continued to be used on the contemporary Offshore’s.
THE FIRST 500
It is no secret the Offshore became a massive commercial hit for Audemars Piguet and following the first 100 came the first 500 examples. Audemars Piguet had settled on the name Offshore, which now graced the case back as “Royal Oak Offshore” continuing detail from the previous 100 was the ever cool double-folding clasp and blue dial.
THE FIRST 500 – AVAILABLE
Available at our shop is one of the first 500 examples made, ours is numbered 471 and is accompanied by its box, papers, and service records from renowned dealer Bucherer. Furthermore the watch is put together by a first series bracelet and fantastic blue dial.
BROWSE OUR OFFSHORE COLLECTION HERE
Early sketch two years prior to the official release of the Offshore! Signed by head designer Emmanuel Gueit.
D-SERIES OFFSHORE
The first official series of the Offshore is the D-Series, which lasted from 1993 to roughly 1995 and is the most sought after iteration of the model. These early models were fitted with a blue dial referred too as “petite tapisserie” Featured is a 1995 example of a mint condition D-series Offshore accompanied by its box and paperwork from dealer Wempe. Fitted with a magnificent deep blue petite tapisserie dial and put together by a second series bracelet.
E-SERIES OFFSHORE
The E-series Offshore’s followed from 1995 to 1999, the new series now incorporated a re-designed bracelet as well as a new set of dial variations with more pronounced blue hues. Titanium was also offered, which gave the Offshore a lighter and sportier feel.
TITANIUM E-SERIES OFFSHORE – AVAILABLE
The titanium Offshore is noticeably lighter and more comfortable as a daily watch. Still carries 100% of the Beast DNA. Available at our shop is an E-series grey dialed Offshore.
BROWSE OUR OFFSHORE COLLECTION HERE
F-SERIES OFFSHORE
With the end of production of the D and E series came the F series. Still very much kept the original Offshore DNA but incorporated better finished purple-like and non-degrade prone dials.
F-SERIES YELLOW GOLD OFFSHORE – AVAILABLE
Available at our shop, The yellow gold Offshore also known as “The Pounder” is a beast in its own right. This beauty is heavy and just gorgeous. The combination of solid yellow gold with a near purple dial is just out of this world.
“THE POUNDER”
The yellow gold version of the Offshore also known as “The Pounder” for its heft! Ours is accompanied by its Audemars Piguet Extract of Archives document.
OFFSHORE EMBRACES COMPLICATION WITH THE QUANTIEME PERPETUAL
As the Offshore continued to gain momentum in the 1990’s Audemars Piguet decided it was time to add complications to their already successful new line. And in 1997 the manufacture announced its foray into the Offshore Quantieme Perpetual territory with the reference 25854.
The Offshore Perpetual was launched in steel, rose gold, and titanium. Pictured above is a very important early example of the rose gold and titanium versions.
Our titanium example is accompanied by its box & paperwork from Audemars Piguet
Our rose gold example is accompanied by its box & paperwork from Audemars Piguet
F-series Perpetual Calendar Offshore in titanium available
Arguably the rarest Quantieme Perpetual made. The incredibly early D-series rose gold Offshore available
RARE & LIMITED OFFSHORE
The success of the Offshore, which spans 27 years and change has yielded an array of models. From titanium to steel to platinum to many more. But there have been a few editions that simply stray away from the pack and become instant icons.
ONE OF FOUR EVER MADE
The reference 25721SA which is featured in a steel case and bracelet but fitted with a gold bezel is believed to have been produced in a grand total of four examples.
Pictured is our example of ref. 25721SA, which bears a D-series serial and is accompanied by an original Audemars Piguet Extract of Archives document
Given the rarity and provenance of this watch a further detail that just makes the Offshore jump is its oxidized gold bezel. Demonstrates the overall condition of the watch and hints at the fact that it was probably worn a handful of times.
THE ULTIMATE BEAST: THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION (25 PIECES MADE) IN FULL PLATINUM
On the 25thanniversary of the Offshore Audemars Piguet one upped the game and came out with the ultimate Beast! A full platinum (case, bracelet, bezel) beauty. Featured is our example, which aside from being brand new is also accompanied by its original full set, which includes an additional Audemars Piguet strap and buckle.
Weighing in an astonishing 430 grams the reference 26470PT is certainly a watch that will makes its self-known and felt.
Aside from its physical presence the all platinum Offshore is fitted with what is probably one of the most beautiful dials with a cobalt – navy blue – purple like hues. It is certainly a dial one can stare in awe for hours.
With newly worked ceramic pushers and crown that have by now replaced the rubber like Dupont made “therban” pushers and crown.
The ever cool and hefty platinum bracelet secures with no problem to the wrist thanks to its twin fold double trigger release clasp, which will ensure the bracelet does not accidentally open unless consciously activated.
BROWSE OUR OFFSHORE COLLECTION HERE
Image Courtesy of Audemars Piguet and the Phillips Watch Department
