The genesis for the Royal Oak Offshore came about when Stephen Urquhart, joint managing director of AP at the time, tasked a young designer named Emmanuel Gueit in the late ’80s to come up with a larger version of the Royal Oak. The purpose behind this mandate was to conceive a watch that would stimulate flagging sales of the Royal Oak by appealing to a younger audience, as well as to give men a chance — in light of the growing trend of women wearing men’s watches — to continue to have the bigger watch.

We believe that there are many iterations of the Royal Oak Offshore which are under the radar in the collecting community, this is why we are happy to bring a selection of limited edition Offshores which have the potential to become future collectibles.

Royal Oak Offshore Gstaad Classic Limited Edition

The watch is part of the Rubberclad family of Royal Oak Offshore with a fully vulcanized Rubberclad bezel and, just like any Royal Oak watch, wears larger than its advertised size. Here the 42mm case wears more like a 44mm further highlighting the ‘big watch’ feel of the timepiece.

What makes this watch highly attractive, besides its low production number, is the matte-finish titanium case and clasp which pair down the mass of the watch. For anyone looking to wear a large watch without having to endure the heavy weight, there is no better partner.

The dial features the mega-tapisserie pattern with large arabic white gold numerals filled with Super-Luminova to match the white gold baton hands in the middle of the watch. Touches of color will come in the form of red hands for the Chronograph and the subdials, and also on the top chronograph pusher.

Royal Oak Offshore QEII Cup 2018

The watch comes with a 42 mm titanium case that boasts see-through sapphire crystal back. This model is equipped with the 3126/3840 movement that comprises 365 parts, contains 59 jewels, and works at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour). The movement is wound automatically and offers a power reserve of 50 hours.

The slate grey dial with its recognisable “Méga Tapisserie” pattern boasts large Arabic numerals with blue luminescent coating and blue counters, just like the white gold Royal Oak hands with blue luminescent coating. The rehaut of the watch has a blue inner tachymeter scale.

With its titanium case, bracelet and AP folding clasp, the watch becomes an ultra-light and wearable timepiece that is beach-ready due to its 100 meters water-resistance. There is no denying that attractiveness of the piece created by the contrast of grey and blue all over the watch.