Royal Oak Offshore Diver

THE MANUFACTURE AUDEMARS PIGUET,  FOUNDED IN 1875 IN LE BRASSUS – A VILLAGE THE MANUFACTURE AUDEMARS PIGUET, NESTLED AT THE HEART OF THE VALLÉE DE THE AMBITION TO CREATE EXCEPTIONAL JOUX – HAS CONSISTENTLY CULTIVATED WATCHES. THE FIRST GRANDE COMPLICATION MODELS WERE PRODUCED IN 1882 BY THIS FIRM THAT IS STILL IN THE HANDS OF THE  FOUNDING FAMILIES. 

As the ultimate sports watch, the Royal Oak Offshore consolidates  and confirms its iconic nature by hosting for the very first time  a Grande Complication movement. This exceptional Calibre 2885  (equipped with a minute repeater on two gongs, perpetual calendar  and split-second chronograph) is a concentrated blend of the most  amazing mechanical developments ever produced by watchmakers.

This time-measuring instrument with its intensely modern lines is not  the only exceptional model presented at the Salon International de  la Haute Horlogerie by the Manufacture Audemars Piguet, which has  produced a large number of rare and prestigious complex horological  mechanisms since its creation. To honour the history of the company,  Audemars Piguet’s watchmakers have also chosen to unveil a more  classic watch in the Tradition collection, combining chronograph, tourbillon and minute repeater functions.

Above and beyond the renewed expression of this recognised  expertise in the field of horological complications, the Manufacture  from Le Brassus is innovating in 2013 within the Royal Oak Offshore  collection by introducing two new models featuring an all-ceramic case middle and bezel : the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, and  the Royal Oak Offshore Diver. These instruments clearly cut out for  action have been designed to stand up to external factors and to afford their weather the rare experience of defying time itself.

 DEPARTMENT OF THE MANUFACTURE CONCEIVED IN THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AUDEMARS PIGUET, THE NEW ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE DIVER WITH ITS IMPRESSIVELY TAUT,  VIRILE LINES BOLDLY PROCLAIMS ITS SPORTING  VOCATION. 

This instrument developed to meet the requirements of diving use, decisively pushes the envelope in terms of performance. Rugged  and resistant to the pressure sustained at depths of 300 metres, the  Royal Oak Offshore Diver maximises the main technical characteristics  of instruments intended for use in underwater activities, in order to  guarantee users unfailing reliability at all times.

Fully compliant with the NIHS 92-11 (ISO6425) norm, this  selfwinding model with its powerful design, built for subaquatic this year for the first time with a case, bezel and easy-grip crowns  use in conditions where rough estimates are not an option, appears  all made of deep black high-tech ceramics. Machining this avant-garde material, around seven times harder than steel and which only  diamonds can scratch, calls for the use of special machines and tools  equipped with diamond-tipped milling-cutters. The case middle is  also treated to polished and satin-brushed finishes that represented a  daunting technical challenge to achieve this degree of quality, due to the inherent resistant to abrasion of this composite material. 

This reliable and efficient timepiece, for which the developers focused firmly on functionality, was thoroughly researched to ensure optimal suitability for use in diving conditions. For example, to improve the readability contrast in the ocean depths, for the first time its black dial bearing the traditional “Méga Tapisserie” pattern is fitted with a luminescent orange hand matching the diving scale appearing on the rotating inner bezel ring, which also features an orange zone between 12 and 3 o’clock. This vivid shade enables instant readings of all essential information. 

The rotating dive-time pre-selection device, unusually positioned inside the case, is technically far more complex to make than a traditional unidirectional exterior rotating bezel. It offers the advantage of reducing the parallax error and protecting this element which is vital for divers in monitoring the duration of their immersion – from shocks and aggressive external factors such as water, salt or grains of sand that might jam the bezel. To adjust this dive-time indicator, the Audemars Piguet watchmakers have developed a mechanism enabling it to be controlled via a watertight external crown positioned at 10 o’clock along the side of the case middle. This system as a whole represents a significant safety feature be inadvertently modified. Equipped with a system of innovative since, once the crown has been screwed back in, the dive time cannot watertightness gaskets, it may be handled during immersion.

This technology that has also been applied to the winding-crown will enable the diver to perform various operations under water if necessary.

This watch also providing a central seconds display and a date indication at 3 o’clock is driven by Manufacture Audemars Piguet mechanical selfwinding Calibre 3120, which may be observed through the titanium case-back fitted with a sapphire crystal – also a first in the Offshore Diver collection. The latter highly sensitive element, that must be able to withstand the underwater pressure exercised at a depth of 300 metres, is secured to the case middle by screws and serves to reveal the 22-carat solid gold oscillating weight, along with some of the meticulously finished movement components including its balance beating at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour.

This rugged, graphically designed, ergonomic and almost unalterable timepiece focuses on essentials – which is exactly why it is worn on a rubber strap equipped with a titanium pin buckle. This simple and efficient, tried and tested fastening system enables the user to adjust the strap at any time to ensure a comfortable fit, whether directly on the skin or when wearing the instrument over a diving suit.