MichaelC[AP Moderator]
18907
A. Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, ceramic case and bezel
Jan 31, 2013,14:01 PM
Originally introduced in 2011, the 44mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph receives its first major revision this year with the option of a ceramic case middle. Of course, this version with the black dial originally launched with a forged carbon case middle, and is otherwise the same.
AP has been hard at work to ensure that the finishing work applied to their ceramic parts is equal to that of their steels parts, which are rather legendary within the watch industry for the amazing quality and level of detail achieved. Having handled this watch in person, I can attest that the goal has been reached.
Of course, machining ceramic to this level of detail and quality comes at a major increase in production time. It takes 12 hours to machine a single ceramic case middle, as opposed to 1.5 hours to machine the same part in steel. A ceramic bezel requires 8 hours of work; 45 minutes for the same bezel in steel.
I was thoroughly impressed with the brushed areas on the case.
The desire to produce a ceramic cased and bezeled watch comes from the Manufacture's goal to provide the consumer with a virtually scratchproof timepiece. Said to be scratched only by diamonds, AP credits ceramic as being 7 times harder than steel.
The watch has a titanium caseback fitted with a sapphire crystal to allow viewing of the Manufacture Calibre 3126/3840 (365 parts, selfwinding, 55-hour power reserve). A rubber strap with titanium pin buckle secures this exquisite timepiece to the wrist.
For those who have not yet tried on a 44mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, be sure and look at this new ceramic-cased model. Very comfortable and wearable, even on my 6.75" wrist.
Reference number for this watch is 26402CE.OO.A002CA.01.