Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher LE pics

Oct 17, 2012,04:34 AM
 

It looks like we're the 17th, so we can finally unveil the AP ROO MS LE for the ones that didn't see it already...!































Sporting Performance Watches made by Audemars Piguet

Engineered by Audemars Piguet to the exacting standards of the world’s most successful race car driver, the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Michael Schumacher features an imposing, 44 mm case which is available in 1,000 pieces made from titanium (Ref 26568IM.OO.A004CA.01); 500 pieces made from 18 carat pink gold (Ref 26568OM.OO.A004CA.01) and 100 pieces made from platinum 950 (Ref. 26568PM.OO.A021CA.01).

The anthracite grey dial, decorated with the Royal Oak Offshore’s famous ” Mega Tapisserie ” pattern, is subtly marked at the circumference of the tachymetre scale between the 12 and one positions with two blue and five red stars symbolising the driver’s record seven championship victories, two driving for Benetton in 1994 and 1995 and five driving for Ferrari from 2000 – 2004.

The minute track, meanwhile, is depicted with a discreet, black and white pattern evoking the design of a chequered flag and the galvanic chronograph counters (black on the titanium and pink gold editions, blue on the platinum edition) feature raised frames based on the dashboard instruments of a high-performance car.

The automotive imagery is further extended to the hour and minute hands which are of a form never before seen. Made from facetted gold with a white luminescent coating, they are loosely inspired by the silhouette of a racing car’s monocoque. The red-lacquered chronograph hands that complement them have been designed with especially blackened heads in order to help focus the eye on the indication and, for the first time ever on a Royal Oak Offshore, the date display is also in red.

Although the Royal Oak Offshore’s instantly recognisable shape is retained, the case material and details of the Michael Schumacher limited edition are specific to this watch. The one-piece, octagonal bezel is made from ultra-resistant Cermet, a material that is seven times more durable than steel and secured with eight automotive-style domed and inset nuts.

The specially – designed rubber strap – grey on titanium and pink gold editions, blue on the platinum edition – is attached by microblasted, satin-brushed titanium studs which emulate a racing car’s cooling scoops, while the microblasted crown (made from either titanium, pink gold or white gold) is machined to resemble a gear wheel and adorned with a red anodised, aluminium plate carrying the Audemars Piguet logo. Microblasted titanium guards protect the polished black ceramic pushpieces, which are topped with caps of either titanium, white or pink gold.

[B]Michael Schumacher – A life in Records[/B]

Michael Schumacher was born on January 3rd, 1969 and began his motorsport career as a boy, racing karts. By the age of 20 he had won German drivers’ championships in both Formula Konig and Formula Three, before being signed as a driver for Benetton Formula One in 1991. He won his first two world championships for the team in 1994 and 1995 before moving to Ferrari in 1996, with which he won five consecutive drivers titles between 2000 and 2004. This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2012-10-17 06:10:14 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2012-10-18 13:00:37


More posts: FerrariLaptimer Michael SchumacherRoyal OakRoyal Oak ConceptRoyal Oak Offshore

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Stijn, thank you for your enthusiasm...

 
 By: ThomasM : October 17th, 2012-05:31
as I'm sure you know, our policy here on PuristSPro is always to scrupulously follow brand moratoriums, regardless of what other individuals or media outlets do. We are well aware the press material has been leaked previously and have appeared "all over t... 

Here are the retail prices on the AP Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher LE

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 17th, 2012-06:32
26568IM - $42,500 (titanium) 26568OM - $75,000 (rose gold) 26568PM - $110,000 (platinum)

Absolutely Thomas.

 
 By: MichaelC : October 17th, 2012-06:14
We are all so passionate about AP. It gets to be very exciting leading up to a product launch. But we must maintain our standards and "honor the code" :-) The irony is that the places I saw the leaks coming from had nothing to do with watches. And here we... 

Thanks Stijn. Do you have some personal thoughts on the piece?

 
 By: MichaelC : October 17th, 2012-06:00
Now that the piece is being officially released, we can engage in discussion. I am on record over the years for loving greyscale APs, so at first glance the titanium version is very appealing. But then, so are the other 2 variants as well (seems that is a... 

I really like the look of the watch

 
 By: nautilus : October 17th, 2012-06:36
I had been hoping that there would be a carbon version as this could have satisfied the space in my AP collection for a carbon watch. I think the MS watch has a strong look to it from a distance, it will be interesting to see how the different materials w... 

unfortunately this piece

 
 By: stijn_b : October 17th, 2012-10:25
does not attract me in some way. I feel it's too much, too loud, the Jarno Trulli, RBII and Montoya have more of an elegance over them. The MS can't convince me. It's nice but not for me. @ nautilus, I kinda agree with you on the metrosexual thing

Does anyone else

 
 By: nautilus : October 17th, 2012-06:40
Think that in the last photo of Schumacher in the leather jacket he looks just a little TOO metrosexual? Just an observation, I'm still a big fan.

Still one more hour ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : October 17th, 2012-08:04
until the official Press Conference. Guys you are not the only one who is waiting - impatiently ... ... until he is allowed ... ... to introduce you ... ... his own limited edition :-) More to come, soon ... Oliver ...  

FInally! Thanks for posting this stijn_b

 
 By: kglaw : October 17th, 2012-08:08
Been waiting for the ROO LE ever since I heard that AP was going to Sign Schumacher as one of the Brand Ambassadors. I really like the look of these with the Cermet bezel. I think the RG models looks the best with the Rose Gold case and Cermet Bezel. Wish... 

Wow!

 
 By: patrick_y : October 17th, 2012-10:13
Interesting news! Great looking piece! Makes me want the Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix and the "Survivor" even more! Waiting to see it in person but this latest Schumacher timepiece may join that list of favorite Offshores!

There is a fine line between a play and pantomime.....

 
 By: Miranda : October 17th, 2012-10:37
And this has just too much pantomime for me More puss in boots than Romeo and Juliet Sorry :(

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Michael Schumacher - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 17th, 2012-13:08
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Editorial "I discovered the world of Audemars Piguet around 15 years ago after being introduced to the brand by Jean Todt when he was team principal at Scuderia Ferrari. By then, I had already appreciated how watches were interlinked to...  

Excellent information, thanks Anthony.

 
 By: MichaelC : October 17th, 2012-13:42
It is cool to see Michael with the lab coat at work!

Fantastic!

 
 By: BluNotte : October 17th, 2012-17:56
Thanks for the release Anths! That Pt version is alluring! But alas, it is an automatic! Ciao Stephen

Impressive...

 
 By: mattdk : October 17th, 2012-14:42
after looks carefully at pics, i found many nice details of the design. A bit hard to judge before seeing more live pics as grey dial on titanium and cermet, will be knd of very greyish in my thought.

What so stupid hands ???

 
 By: chronos-lorien : October 18th, 2012-01:17
Nice case and bazel but awfull hands ruining all fine impression of the watches.

Need to see it in person because..

 
 By: bulliondesk : October 18th, 2012-09:19
From the looks.. seems like its a combo of the GPC and 44mm Offshore slapped together with a few little color and metal changes.. but the overall piece is basically the GP in my eyes.

Btw I added the Michael Schumacher "Defining Moment" video in my above post

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 18th, 2012-12:59
Here is the video in case you missed it. Cheers, Anthony ...