A new Formula 1 driver -based watch from Audemars Piguet is this new Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli. Boy, it sure is nice, but looks very little like where these watches looked as though they have been evolving. It is possible that ending with the AP ROO Grand Prix, designer Octavio Garcia felt that the designs of brands race themed watches was getting too wild. While I liked the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix watch – it is safe to say that it is a controversial design. You can also see the AP ROO Rubens Barrichello II watch here (another F1 driver). Thus, it isn’t hard to see were AP has “scaled back” the look of the design a lot. Emphasis is on the forged carbon case, high-tech cermet (cool metal ceramic hyrbid material) dial, and the titanium crown and pushers. In a sober looking gray, the Jarno Trulli is dressed up a bit with bright red elements on the dial.

Actually quite nice, the watch is more simple and easy to read that its “cousin” pieces. Only gripe I have is that the chronograph pushers are too simple. Yes, I know it is hard to work with forged carbon, and it looks like all you are able to do with it is drill round holes in it. Still, AP usually offers up at least a little flair in this department. Then again, compared the design of the chronograph pushers in previous watches – AP might just be “starting from scratch” here if there are embarking on a “re-imagining AP ROO design” adventure. Price for the limited edition of 500 pieces watch is $28,900.

Read my full article on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli watch here.