ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE MODEL, REF. 26388PO, CASE NO. I 51166, NO. 55, CIRCA 2016

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak, Emmanuel Gueit created the Royal Oak Offshore, a bold reimagining of Gérald Genta's iconic design intended for adventurers. It was nicknamed 'The Beast' when it was first introduced at Baselworld 1993 because of its extravagant 42 mm stainless steel case and remarkably thick dimensions, which went against the accepted norms of the time. After being controversial at first, the Offshore has grown to become one of Audemars Piguet's most cherished symbols, representing boldness, strength, and inventiveness.

With its combination of chronograph performance and the mechanical sophistication of a double-barrel tourbillon, the present timepiece is a more intricate and technically advanced evolution of 'The Beast'. Twin mainspring barrels housed in its enlarged and strengthened case provide the open-worked tourbillon with increased torque and accuracy. In addition to greatly enhancing durability, the black ceramic pushers, crown, and bezel give the watch a sportier, high-performance look. The finely crafted movement, which is a hallmark of Audemars Piguet's expertise in haute horlogerie, is revealed through a sapphire crystal caseback, completing the composition.