Watch geeks charting the course of horology’s planets foretold that this year would be a big one for new releases. Indications began at the mid-point of 2022 as the big industry gatherings began to fall off the calendar. Despite looming economic turmoil, the watch world showed itself eager to plan the coming year’s big shindigs. Looking ahead to 2023, each brand started scheming which moments, anniversaries, and achievements would be best commemorated at 2023’s watch gatherings.
In that context, it’s no surprise the absolute tear Audemars Piguet has been on in the past 24 hours, announcing five (5!) additions to the Royal Oak collection, and another to the 11.59 lineup. What is surprising is that AP still has more in the chamber, announcing today more newcomers to the RO group, including the (deep breath) Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph in an all-new black and green variant (ref. 26622CE.OO.D062CA.01). Like the others, it’s all part of the brand’s 30th-anniversary celebrations for the Offshore line.
Building on 2021’s introduction of the 43mm Offshore case, created to house the extremely advanced 526-part flyback chronograph Calibre 2967 tourbillon movement, these modern Royal Oak Offshores represent the most advanced complications AP has developed so far. But the innovations go beyond tourbillons, flybacks, and the like, extending to the case itself which for 2023, is 15.5mm thick and made of black ceramic. Producing casework in this material is no mean feat, requiring hours of what AP calls “meticulous programming” of dedicated tools used by skilled personnel. Once the CNC machines have had their way with the stuff to give it the rough case shape, the ceramic is popped into the oven at 1,000 degrees centigrade which imparts the substance’s signature hardness and shade.
At this point, technicians set upon the material with diamond-tipped tools for final case-shaping before AP’s signature satin brushing and chamfer polishing is applied. Once complete, the all-black case provides the ultimate contrast housing for the 3D architecture of the dial. With PVD-coated titanium bridges that are lightweight and color-matched to the case, the green of the inner edges match that of the rehaute to give the newest Offshore a feel of military ruggedness which is perfect if you’re considering going into battle sporting a flyback tourbillon.
Having dialed in the process of ceramic casing with the Royal Oak line, AP fans will be excited to see the material brought to new life in the Offshore collection. Like its fellow modern Offshore models, the newest black ceramic variant offers AP’s interchangeable strap system using a proprietary quick-release system. As each model ships with a black rubber strap in addition to the pictured green version, this is welcome news if you’re one of the 100 lucky folks to get their hands on this very limited piece. Official Retail Price: 285,000 CHF (which coverts to approximately $307,000 USD, at press time). For more information, please visit the brand’s website.