Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Flying Tourbillon Chronograph
Since the launch of the Royal Oak in 1972, Audemars Piguet has combined fine watchmaking, sports and reliability, something that other brands cannot do, achieving such success and longevity. The watch commissioned by Le Brassus Manufacture for this test stand is the ultimate embodiment of this concept, because it is the Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Flying Tourbillon Chronograph that was unveiled in June this year.
External:
A completely redesigned case was specially designed for this famous model. Let us first pay tribute to the coherent choice of titanium. This material is definitely the most suitable alloy for this athletic watch. Its resistance, especially its portability, is very important. As an asset designed to ensure more than just the comfort of the wrist, this lightness reduces the energy absorbed when subjected to an impact, so it is a very important argument in terms of protecting such a complex mechanism. Although part of the Offshore series, the relatively modest 43mm case has been completely redesigned to provide superior aesthetics and ergonomics. The dial reveals the movement structure without compromising legibility. The integration of the detachable shoulder strap is perfectly adjusted to provide instant comfort. The screw-in crown and elegant, easy-to-hold buttons are made of black ceramic. The movement is fixed to the case by a ring, which can absorb shock and vibration to the greatest extent, ensuring improved robustness and precision. This offshore watch is water-resistant to 100 meters.
move:
Calibre 2967 is a self-winding tourbillon flyback chronograph movement. It has appeared in the recent Audemars Piguet series Code 11.59, where it has been adjusted according to the diameter of the case. To ensure unwavering reliability and precision, the bridge plate is made of titanium! Although it has an absolute sense of movement in terms of its structure, it combines surface treatment and finishes and deserves the highest standards of fine watchmaking. Although it is impossible to describe all the main functions of this movement in detail in this column, attention should be paid to its 65-hour autonomy, which is ideal for self-winding movements. The chronograph specifically includes a flyback function. Although from its original role as an aircraft pilot’s navigation aid, the latter is actually completely obsolete, nonetheless, it still represents an important asset in reliability, as it is reset to zero by activation when the chronograph is activated. There is no risk of damage to the button. The automatic winding mechanism draws energy from a 22K gold oscillating weight designed for optimal efficiency.
test:
Holding the watch in your hand and observing it carefully will inspire your absolute and instant confidence in all aspects. Therefore, we expect the measurement results corresponding to this feeling-the results are far more than these! The efficiency and (proven) autonomy of automatic winding systems have already been mentioned. The timing accuracy is amazing. Let us remember that, just like in shooting sports, the essence of a good setting is narrow scattering-in this case the rate value. Continuing this analogy, these are the center of the goal. The influence of the chronograph on the amplitude is so insignificant that it does not appear in our measurement watch. In addition to the amazing accuracy shown by our measurements,
This new offshore model is the real lesson of fine watchmaking, and the code seems to have evolved better. Sportiness is not a question of sponsorship or design, but the result of research and development. The successful combination of haute horology and sportiness to such an outstanding degree may be both unique and novel, because if you can afford such a watch, then no matter what you do, you can truly wear it every day. To sum up the final feelings of this test bench, I want to say that if my life depends on a fashion watch, then this Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is probably my choice. I never thought it would be a tourbillon!
