Audemars Piguet

Geared for extreme conditions

The Swiss watch industry norms (NIHS) that also comply with international standards lay down a certain number of specific criteria that must be met by a watch if it is to be termed a “diver's watch”.

Time preselection device

The NIHS 92-11 norm (corresponding to ISO 6425) calls for a time preselection device. Moreover, in order to prevent any reading errors, the latter must be protected against any unintentional rotation. The Royal Oak Offshore Diver is equipped with a diving scale on an inner rotating dial ring that is activated via a unidirectional click mechanism linked to the 10 o'clock crown. The wearer can only turn the device by deliberately unscrewing the crown. Since this is an inner dial ring rather than a rotating bezel, the case middle also serves as a rampart to protect the rotation mechanism. In compliance with the 92-11 norm, the device features a minutes scale on which five-minute periods are clearly highlighted.

Visibility

The time, the elapsed time measured on the inner dial ring and the movement operating indication must be readable in the dark from a distance of 25 cm. The dial of the Royal Oak Offshore Diver has been duly optimised to meet this requirement. The baton hour-markers along with the hour and minute hands are facetted and luminescent. The hour hand is distinguished by two additional bands of luminescent coating on the side, while the movement of the equally luminescent seconds hand guarantees that the watch is operating as it should. All these indications are accentuated by the black “Méga Tapisserie” motif characteristic of the Royal Oak Offshore collection. Finally, displaying the diving scale as close as possible to the dial minimises the risk of accidentally modifying the dive time, and also facilitates dive-time readings.

Watertightness and resistance to salt water

The case components – particularly the gaskets, the thickness of the back and that of the crystals – have been adapted to guarantee watertightness to depths of 300 metres. The 92-11 norm demands watertightness to at least 100 metres. The caseback screws, the intermediate bolts and the distinctive Royal Oak Offshore hexagonal screws seal the case as securely as a submarine hatch. Salt water resistence is addressed with the quality of the stainless steel used as well as the selection of seals and gaskets in terms of materials and design.

Antimagnetic property, resistance to shocks and to thermal variations

The movement of the Royal Oak Offshore Diver is protected by an antimagnetic strongbox-type case construction. The balance-spring, which is of course particularly sensitive, is thus preserved from the influence of magnetic fields, as well as from shocks and from thermal variations. The movement rate is thus more accurate. Moreover, no trace of condensation or misting appears when tests are performed at varying temperatures.

Resistance to external forces

The attachments must be able to withstand forces of up to 200 N. The size of the pin buckle has been specifically increased to ensure such resistance. The studs and the rubber strap also guarantee this secure hold.

A pure, uncluttered selfwinding model

For its new diver's watch, Audemars Piguet has opted for a pared-down approach. This is a straightforward selfwinding model without any complications. A diver's watch in all its pristine simplicity. It is equipped with the stellar Manufacture Audemars Piguet selfwinding movement: Calibre 3120. Constantly fine-tuned and perfected, the latter is distinguished by its impressive reliability. To ensure its precision, the heart of the movement is a variable-inertia balance with a flat balance-spring oscillating at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The adjustment is performed by means of eight inertia-blocks that ensure rate stability. The cross-through balance-bridge guarantees enhanced shock-resistance in that it is secured not on just one side, but on both sides of the mainplate. The direct-drive central seconds hand avoids any backlash of the hand.

Calibre 3120 is also particularly user-friendly, particularly thanks to the instant-jump, fast-adjustment date display, as well as the 60-hour power reserve. Time-setting is also facilitated by the fact that pulling out the crown immediately activates the stop-seconds lever and accordingly brings the seconds hand to a halt ("hacking" seconds)

Nonetheless, the crowning glory of Calibre 3120 is undoubtedly the care lavished on its craftsmanship. Hand-assembled in the workshops of Le Brassus, it boasts exceptional quality of execution and finishing. The bridges are meticulously chamfered and polished to ensure clear-cut, shining edges. The jewel sinks are diamond-polished. The wheels feature chamfered spokes and diamond-polished jewel sinks. Even the screw rims and slots are chamfered. The hand-crafted decoration includes a mainplate circular-grained on both sides and bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. Finally, the monobloc 22-carat gold oscillating weight bears the Audemars and Piguet family crests and the AP monogram.

The quintessential sports watch

The sense of power and distinction exuded by the Royal Oak Offshore Diver stems both from its performances and its appearance. The inimitable and legendary octagonal shape has become an emblem of sports watches. It appears here more forcefully than ever. Loyal to its origins, the case is of course in stainless steel. It is worth remembering that Audemars Piguet actually invented the first high-end sports watch in 1972, which it named Royal Oak, and that it achieved the unprecedented feat of elevating steel to an acceptable material with which to case a fine timepiece. In 1992, the octagon then took on its extreme-sports appearance with the advent of the Royal Oak Offshore. This collection makes ample use of rubber that is often associated with steel, and sometimes even with gold. Its dials feature a distinctive large scale grid pattern named “Méga Tapisserie”. The Royal Oak Offshore Diver picks up these design elements and majestically reinterprets them. The satin-brushed or polished finishes of the case enliven the steel and create a play on contrasts. The 10 o'clock crown accentuates the technical nature of this model with distinctive features including an octagonal bezel fitted with eight polished hexagonal screws, while the black rubber joint beneath the bezel echoes the rubber-moulded crowns and the strap.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Royal Oak Offshore Diver

Reference

15703ST.OO.A002CA.01

Stainless steel case

Water-resistant to 300 metres

Movement

Proprietary Calibre 3120, selfwinding

Total diameter : 26.60 mm

Casing diameter: 11.5 lignes (26 mm)

Thickness: 4.25 mm

40 jewels

278 parts

22-carat gold oscillating weight

Up to 60-hour power reserve

Cadence of the balance: 21,600 vibrations per hour

Variable-inertia balance with eight inertia-blocks and flat balance-spring

Geneva-type mobile balance-spring stud holder

Three-position winding stem

Finishing: all parts finely decorated; mainplate circular-grained; bridges rhodium-plated, chamfered, snailed and adorned with Côtes de Genève. Diamond-polished jewel sinks; wheels with chamfered spokes and diamond-polished jewel sinks; chamfered screw rims and slots

Oscillating weight engraved with the AP monogram and the Audemars and Piguet family crests

Case

Stainless steel

Black rubber crowns

Diameter: 42 mm

Thickness: 13.75 mm

Back with medallion bearing the legend Royal Oak Offshore

Water-resistant to 300 metres

Dial

Black with exclusive “Méga Tapisserie” motif

Inner rotating ring with diving scale

Applied grey hour-markers with luminescent coating

Facetted white gold hour and minute hands with luminescent coating

Strap

Black rubber with oversized stainless steel pin buckle

Functions

Hours and minutes

Dive-time measurement

Date