Audemars Piguet 26405

This chronograph model combines rugged sportiness with refined craftsmanship. Released in 2020, all versions of this 44mm Royal Oak Offshore chronograph come in an innovative ceramic case (or a mix of ceramic and rose gold). Like other offshore models, these watches are also known for their angular architecture and solid build.

Never one to shy away from using color, Audemars Piguet used bold color contrasts to highlight different fixtures of this watch, creating different case and dial variations for this offshore model. The distinctive styling of these ROO references makes them stand out as statement pieces for collectors who love the idea of bold luxury.

History and Legacy of the Audemars Piguet 26405

The Audemars Piguet Ref 26405 is part of a long line of Royal Oak Offshore watches with origins dating back to 1992. This sporty timepiece is a far more robust younger cousin to the iconic Royal Oak model launched in 1972, based on designs created by the legendary Gerald Genta. Both watch collections share similar design features such as their octagonal bezel, guilloche dial pattern, integrated bracelet, and prominent industrial aesthetics.

 

Despite sharing so many similarities, one distinct feature of the Offshore is the use of rugged materials that were typically not associated with high-end watchmaking. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26405CE is one of the Offshore models demonstrating this innovative use of unusual materials.

This watch, released in 2020, features a bold and robust casing crafted out of durable ceramic materials. However, this wasn’t a radically novel idea since previous models in the Royal Oak Offshore 44mm size category have featured ceramic cases and other innovative materials. The real novelty of this reference is its newly designed smoked dials featuring oversized Arabic numerals. This unique design contributes to the ultra-bold aesthetics of these watches.

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26405 Features

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26405 is an embodiment of style and practicality. This watch features a robust ceramic casing with prominent button guards, which gives it a striking appearance. AP enthusiasts familiar with the Royal Oak Offshore will also notice innovative features like a gradient dial with prominent Arabic numerals and the unique splash of colors on the bezel and dial.

 

Robust Offshore Casing

All versions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26405 share the same robust 44mm case, which is the biggest case size of the Offshore collection. Models in this AP line have always been known for their ultra-bold and robust watch dimensions, and the Ref 26405 isn’t an exception.

A prominent part of the case design is the distinctive lateral module. This serves the primary purpose of protecting the crown and housing the rectangular chronograph pushers of this timepiece. The casing is 14.5mm thick, which is anything but thin. Dimensions like this are consistent with the ultra-bold aesthetics upheld by the Offshore collection.

 

As far as materials go, the main material option for this reference is ceramic, as it is the main material used in most variants. Some of these are monochrome black, while others come in brighter colors like blue or green.

Some variants, such as Royal Oak Offshore 26405NR, also feature rose gold bezels, blended perfectly with the ceramic casing for a sophisticated and luxurious appearance.

 

A Splash of Colors

Audemars Piguet’s collection of sports watches are bold, serious-looking timepieces. But the watchmaker is not one to shy away from adding a splash of color to its watches. While this collection has some monochrome models (especially the all black ceramic versions), some of the references exploit bold color contrasts to highlight some of the most prominent parts of this Royal Oak Chronograph watch.

The color contrast is carried over onto the dial, which typically has accents in colors that match the bezel material and color. These watches are also worn on a textured rubber strap available in different colors (blue, green, or grey) to match the accent colors on the bezel and dial.

In addition to the contrasting color, this Offshore model also features contrasting finishes on the case and bezel. In the traditional AP version, the ceramic case has top surfaces with vertical-brushed finishes while the bevels and sides are polished. This is also true for the model with a rose gold bezel, which is decorated with a vertical brushed finish. This unique finish accentuates the robust dimensions of the watch. The crown guards and crown are also vertically brushed.

  

Bigger Numerals and a “Smokey” Gradient Dial

As mentioned above, the main novelty with this chronograph timepiece is the use of oversized Arabic indices and the colorful gradient dial with chronograph subdials. Unlike older versions of the Royal Oak offshore that featured baton-style hour markers, AP has swapped the hour markers for applied Arabic numerals filled with white lume for legibility.

However, thick baton-style hour markers have been preserved at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. This is a necessary design feature to accommodate the three chronograph subdials and the date window. The 12-hour counter and 30-minute elapsed time counter are placed at the 6 and 9 o’clock positions, respectively, while the running seconds dial is at the 12 o’clock mark. For this model, AP also used a round window for the date instead of a traditional rectangular aperture.

The sub dials are presented in different colors depending on the variant in question. In most references, the chronograph sub-counters have the same background color, while the date window and running seconds have matching backgrounds. As part of the extra functionalities of this watch, there’s a standard tachymeter scale on the dial flange. This further limits the available dial space. With so many extra bells and whistles, this watch has a busy dial, but the oversized numerals and contrasting play of colors ensure optimal legibility.

The hallmark of the dial design has to be the signature “Mega Tapisserie” pattern featured on the dial of all Royal Oak Offshore watches. For this model, the dial has a gradient effect, starting with a dark color at the edge of the dial, which fades to a lighter color towards the middle. The dials are available in green, blue, or grey colors, depending on the specific variant.

 

Modular Chronograph Movement

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore selfwinding chronograph is powered by an automatic modular movement. This self-winding 3126/3840 movement features a chronograph mechanism constructed by Dubois Depraz on top of the regular AP module.

This is the same movement combination used in practically all Royal Oak Offshore chronographs. It debuted in 2007 and has been a staple of the collection ever since. This movement has a 29.92mm diameter with a thickness of just 7.16mm. It features 59 jewels and beats at 21,600vph. This movement delivers a power reserve of up to 50 hours on a full wind.

The movement is well-protected within the robust case. The dial and the case back are protected by a sapphire crystal. This watch has a water resistance of up to 100 meters, which is ideal for swimming and other light water-based activities.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26405 Price

As a high-tech chronograph watch with unique material combinations, the AP Royal Oak Offshore 26405 commands a high premium both in the retail and secondary markets. This watch is still in production, with the ceramic versions selling for a retail price of approximately $35,000 while the variant with a gold bezel sells for $43,000.

These watches are also highly sought-after in the secondary market. You can expect to find Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 26405 models in black ceramic (Royal Oak Offshore 26405CE) within the $30,000 to $45,000 range. Variants with the rose gold bezel are generally more expensive, with a top price that may be up to $70,000 or more.

The AP Chronograph 26405 stands out as a statement piece in the Royal Oak Offshore collection, especially for collectors and buyers who are attracted to bold luxury. This watch has a powerful design, featuring premium materials and a distinctive styling brought to life by contrasting color combinations. The variety in material and color options within this model makes it easy to find a variant to suit your taste and preferences.