Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Gérald Genta designed the Royal Oak in 1972—octagonal bezel, exposed screws, integrated bracelet. Audemars Piguet told him to create a luxury sports watch in steel. He delivered something that looked like a diver's helmet, scandalised the industry, and changed watchmaking forever. The Royal Oak Offshore arrived in 1993 as the bigger, brasher, more aggressive interpretation. Emmanuel Gueit added rubber, increased dimensions to 42mm (enormous for 1993), fitted chronograph complications. Collectors called it the "Beast." Arnold Schwarzenegger wore one. The Offshore became AP's most commercially successful collection.

The 26400SO represents the modern Offshore aesthetic introduced in the 2010s—44mm case, ceramic bezel, "Panda" dial configuration earning its nickname from the silver background with black subdials. Forty-four millimetres in brushed stainless steel with polished bevelled edges on the octagonal case. The signature Royal Oak octagonal bezel rendered in black ceramic, secured by eight exposed hexagonal screws in polished steel. Black ceramic crown with brushed steel tip bearing AP logo. Black ceramic chronograph pushers. Sandblasted steel pushpiece guards attached to the case with polished hex-head screws—functional protection preventing accidental chronograph activation, aesthetic reinforcement of the industrial design language. Glareproof sapphire crystal. Exhibition caseback showing the movement through sapphire. 14.5mm thickness. One hundred metres water resistance—not a dive watch, but sealed adequately for swimming and shower wear.

The dial is silver-toned with "Méga Tapisserie" pattern—oversized checkerboard guilloché creating depth and texture whilst maintaining legibility. Three black subdials providing high contrast: running seconds at twelve o'clock, thirty-minute chronograph counter at nine o'clock, twelve-hour chronograph counter at six o'clock. Date window at three o'clock. Applied hour markers in solid 18K white gold with luminescent coating. Royal Oak hands—faceted, angular, distinctive—also white gold with luminous material. Red-tipped chronograph seconds hand adding colour accent. Silver tachymetre scale on inner bezel ring allowing speed calculations over known distances.

Inside sits Calibre 3126/3840—Audemars Piguet's manufacture automatic chronograph movement based on Frédéric Piguet architecture (AP acquired the movement maker's assets). The 3126 forms the base automatic movement, the 3840 module adds chronograph functionality. Fifty-nine jewels. 21,600 vibrations per hour—slower than modern standard 28,800 vph, deliberate choice prioritising longevity and servicing intervals over absolute precision. Fifty-hour power reserve. Column wheel chronograph construction rather than cam-operated system—smoother pushpiece feel, more refined mechanical architecture, higher manufacturing cost. Bidirectional automatic winding via 22K gold rotor visible through exhibition caseback. The movement finishing combines industrial efficiency with haute horlogerie details—Geneva stripes on rotor and bridges, circular graining on plates, bevelled edges, polished screw heads.

The black rubber strap features AP logo embossed pattern, tapering from lugs to pin buckle. Stainless steel AP folding pin buckle. The strap is designed for active wear—sweat-resistant, water-resistant, comfortable against skin during temperature changes. Interchangeable via quick-release system, though additional straps sold separately.

Very good condition from 2016 means the watch shows wear consistent with eight years of use—scratches on brushed steel surfaces, minor marks on polished bevels, possibly light scuffing on ceramic components (ceramic resists scratching but isn't scratch-proof), rubber strap showing compression marks or slight discolouration. The 26400SO wears its age visibly—brushed steel dulls, polished edges lose definition, rubber degrades. Full set includes Audemars Piguet presentation box, outer packaging, warranty papers dated 2016, instruction booklets, spare links if applicable. Original warranty expired (AP offers two years from purchase, extended to five years for watches purchased after January 2017).

The "Panda" configuration—silver dial, black subdials—references vintage chronographs from the 1960s and 1970s whilst maintaining Offshore's contemporary 44mm proportions. Collectors debate whether 44mm is too large; AP clearly disagreed, maintaining this size across most Offshore chronographs until recently introducing 42mm variants. The 26400SO sits in the middle of Offshore pricing—more accessible than precious metal or complicated variants, more expensive than time-only Royal Oak models. It's recognisably Audemars Piguet whilst being less subtle than the original Royal Oak, appealing to buyers wanting presence without full gold excess.

Fifty years of Royal Oak evolution. Twenty-three years of Offshore refinement. Full set from 2016, very good condition, manufacture chronograph movement.