Audemars Piguet Unveils Two New Royal Oak Offshore in 43mm Entirely Set With Baguette-Cut Diamonds

Audemars Piguet releases two new 18-carat white gold Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models in 43 mm entirely paved with baguette-cut diamonds to complement the several gemset Royal Oak Offshore pieces unveiled at the beginning of the year. The brilliance of the two timepieces is enhanced by black highlights for a refined and contemporary two-tone aesthetic.

Powerful contrasts

The two 43 mm white gold Royal Oak Offshore timepieces boast a case, bezel and dial entirely paved with baguette-cut diamonds for an elegant and sporty look. Even the black counters on the two dials have been set with baguettes arranged in a sunburst pattern, while the black inner bezel and black ceramic push-pieces add a subtle contrast.

The gemset 18-carat white gold case’s shimmering grey hues are magnified by the large polished bevels adorning the two timepieces. The alternation of gemsetting and polished chamfers can also be admired on the curved push-piece guards. Last but not least, the double glareproofed sapphire crystal, which is curved from 6 to 12 o’clock to integrate the ergonomic curvature of the bezel, confers a unique visual experience on the dial.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43 mm Ref. 26425BC.ZZ.D002CA.02

The first model, which features a total of 230 stones (~19.2 carats), is fitted on a black rubber strap* to accentuate the collection’s bold aesthetic codes. For its part, the second timepiece pushes gemsetting one step further with a bracelet* entirely covered in baguette-cut diamonds to offer a rich play of light with each movement of the wrist. The number of diamonds adorning this fully gemset piece totals 646 baguettes (~48.9 carats).

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43 mm Ref. 26425BC.ZZ.8045BC.01

The contrast offered by the two timepieces amplifies the Royal Oak Offshore’s strong identity interweaving Haute Horlogerie tradition with ever-more creative dimensions.

* Contrary to other 43 mm models in the Royal Oak Offshore collection, the strap and bracelet of the two gemset models are not interchangeable due to the baguette-cut setting on the case’s studs.

Meticulous craftsmanship

The baguette-cut diamonds adorning the two new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronographs have been carefully selected to respond to the Manufacture’s highest criteria in terms of clarity, cut and colour. The diamonds have been individually cut and polished to reach clear and sharp angles before being invisibly set by hand. Tiny grooves are delicately incised in the stones, which are then meticulously snapped one by one into a hidden rail mounted in the gold component, giving the impression that they are holding on their own.*

The complexity also lies in reaching seamless alignment – a painstaking task requiring extreme precision. The quality of the stones’ cut is as important as their inherent quality and clarity. Each baguette not only needs to be internally flawless (i.e. no visible inclusion under 10x magnification), its lines and stepped facets have to be perfectly symmetrical and aligned.

* Note that this technique is not used for the bezel, the push-piece guards and the crown, which are closed set.

A sporty and refined integrated flyback chronograph

The Manufacture has chosen its latest selfwinding integrated chronograph movement, Calibre 4409, to power these two gemset models. Contrary to Calibre 4401, from which it is derived, Calibre 4409 does not include the date function so as to give pride of place to the impressive baguette-cut diamonds adorning the two dials.

This selfwinding chronograph movement features a high-end column wheel and a flyback function that enables to instantaneously restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first. It is also equipped with a vertical clutch system that prevents hands from jumping when the chronograph is started or stopped, as well as a patented zero resetting mechanism ensuring that each one of the counter hands seamlessly resets to zero. While beating at a high frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour), it is also endowed with 70 hours of power reserve when not on the wrist.

Caseback side of Calibre 4409, without the 43 mm Royal Oak Offshore dedicated oscillating weight. © Courtesy of Audemars Piguet

The sapphire caseback reveals the collection’s dedicated blackened 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight as well as components usually hidden from view such as the so-called dance of the chronograph hammers.* Calibre 4409 is finished with refined decorations on the caseback side such as Côtes de Genève, traits tirés, polished chamfers and circular graining.

The counters’ horizontal arrangement – with the hour counter located at 3 o’clock, the small seconds at 6 and the minute counter at 9 o’clock – provides optimum readability.

* When the reset button is activated, the hammers, driven by an operating lever, hit the chronograph’s heart-piece cams to bring the chronograph wheels and hands back to zero.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43 mm Ref. 26425BC.ZZ.D002CA.02

Technical specifications

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43 mm

Reference: 26425BC.ZZ.D002CA.02

Case

Material: 18-carat white gold case and bezel both set with baguette-cut diamonds
Diameter: 43 mm
Thickness: 15.5 mm
Glass: Double glareproofed sapphire crystal, glareproofed sapphire caseback
Black ceramic push-pieces, screw-locked crown
Water-resistant to 20 meters

Setting

Dial set with 106 baguette-cut diamonds for a total of ~8.4 carats.
Bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds for a total of ~1.4 carats.
Case, crown, push-piece guards and studs set with 80 baguette-cut diamonds for a total of ~8.2 carats.
Folding clasp set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds for a total of ~1.1 carats.

Dial and hands

18-carat white gold dial set with baguette-cut diamonds
Black counters set with baguette-cut diamonds
White gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, black inner bezel.

Movement

Selfwinding Calibre 4409
Diameter: 32 mm (14 lignes)
Thickness: 6.8 mm
Number of jewels: 40
Number of parts: 349
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Minimum power reserve guaranteed 70 h

Functions/Indications

Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes and small seconds.

Strap and buckle

Black rubber strap with 18-carat white gold AP folding clasp set with baguette-cut diamonds.

MSRP: Price on request