Why the Royal Oak Offshore Is This Summer's Hot Timepiece

Summer is in full swing, with temperatures rising and sunshine lasting well past dinnertime. As we embrace the joy and verve of this season, we cannot help but think about accessories. After all, such is our job as purveyors of Manhattan’s finest luxury watches here at Avi & Co.

We turn our attention to the Royal Oak Offshore, a perennial favorite from Swiss brand Audemars Piguet, as one of our favorite watches of the summer. Though the line hails from back in the 1990s, its timeless appeal rings just as true today as it did 30 years ago.

It is almost impossible to tell the story of the Royal Oak Offshore without first talking about the original Royal Oak. In the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry was threatened by the Quartz Crisis, which was pushing Japanese watches into the mainstream. Many horological creators were struggling to keep their footing in an ever-changing market, where it appeared that consumers were not willing to pay luxury watch prices anymore.

A few stalwart brands were able to look the Quartz Crisis in the eye and still come out on top. Audemars Piguet was one of them. Why? The brand’s success in this era can largely be attributed to one unexpected timepiece: the Royal Oak, of course. At the Baselworld watch show in 1972, Audemars Piguet unveiled this striking new timepiece. It was stainless steel. It was sporty yet sophisticated. And it still commanded high prices.

Though the Royal Oak met some initial criticism, it was by and large a huge success and has come to define the Audemars Piguet catalogue to this day. Now, we fast-forward to the 1990s when, twenty years later, Audemars Piguet was looking to appeal to a younger, more modern audience of watch enthusiasts.

The year is 1993, and the watch industry is about to be in for a shock. Audemars Piguet has yet another trick up its sleeve: the bold and beautiful Royal Oak Offshore. These timepieces built on the legacy of the original Royal Oak while adding their own flair: larger case sizes, more complications, some rubber straps, and a sportiness and versatility that matched the world’s taste for adventure as the new millennium approached.

Since its dawn in the 1990s, the Royal Oak Offshore has been a fixture of the watch world. Its oversize profile was infused with masculinity, differentiating it from other watches of its time. But despite our current fascination with the piece, its sales got off to a slow start. Over the first couple of years on the market, the Offshore sold under 400 pieces. But finally, momentum began to pick up speed.

The Offshore first became popular in Italy, where larger-than-life watch sizes had already become the norm. Italian style then began to trickle into Western Europe and, finally, America. Global athletes and celebrities began to embrace these distinctive timepieces, and the public started to see them for what they really are: marvels of engineering and design.

There are countless reasons to love the Royal Oak Offshore line, and its rags-to-riches story is just one of them. Its memorable architecture, imposing presence on the wrist, and masterful engineering add to the appeal. Furthermore, its legacy in connection with the original Royal Oak like distinguishes it as an important piece of horological history.

These days, Royal Oak Offshore watches are available in countless different colors and styles, each one appealing to a unique consumer. Versatility and flexibility round out our list of the many reasons we love Royal Oak Offshore watches. We are proud to call them our pick of the summer this year.

Avi & Co. is Manhattan’s most trusted provider when it comes to elite luxury watches from global brands like Audemars Piguet. We have an incredible inventory of these hallowed Swiss timepieces, ranging from the Code 11.59 line to the Royal Oak Concept and the original Royal Oak that started it all. Discover some of our popular Royal Oak Offshore watches today.

We are completely captivated by this all-black twist on the classic Royal Oak Offshore. But the color is not the only way that this watch departs from its predecessors. Material plays a big role here, too. This Royal Oak Offshore timepiece is crafted from black ceramic, making it incredibly durable as well as eminently light and wearable. You will be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable and dynamic timepiece; this watch can easily transition from beach to boardroom.

The sleek sophistication of the black ceramic case and bracelet make this watch stand out. Of course, Audemars Piguet would never sacrifice its perfect marriage of form and function. Here, complications abound: note the chronograph pushers on either side of the watch’s crown, the three chronograph subdials on its face, the date display at the 3 o’clock position, and the tachymeter inner bezel. That is all in addition to impressive water resistance and power reserve. In short, a Royal Oak Offshore watch is a jack of all trades, and this black ceramic model embodies that versatile spirit to the maximum.

The Royal Oak Offshore has a reputation as a sporty watch, but that does not mean that you have to compromise on luxury and glamour. Audemars Piguet is a renowned horological maison, and its commitment to showcasing the finer things in life for its elite clientele is virtually unmatched. This diamond-set Royal Oak Offshore provides an excellent example of the seamless way in which Audemars Piguet combines sporty aesthetics with undeniable sparkle.

This stainless steel watch provides all of the durability and adventurous spirit that the Offshore line is known for. At the same time, it ups the ante on luxury with numerous round-cut diamonds studding the bezel. The bezel encircles a sleek, black watch face with chronograph subdials that underscore this piece’s marriage of form and function. With its 37 mm case size, this Offshore watch is an excellent fit for wearers of any gender.

One of our favorite things about the Royal Oak Offshore line is its incredible versatility. As you peruse the ins and outs of this renowned watch collection, you will quickly notice the wide variety of options you have in front of you, even when you limit your search to just this one line. Royal Oak Offshore watches can be sophisticated, playful, athletic, formal, and everything in between. It all depends on your personal taste.

This “Music Edition” Offshore watch showcases a unique patterned dial made to look like a professional audio mixing console. This inspiration from the world of music production makes this watch especially valuable and attractive to collectors who have a passion for music or are involved in the creative world themselves. The case is crafted from titanium, and the vibrant rubber bracelet adds an additional element of flexibility and comfort. With just 250 pieces created in this limited-edition design, the “Music Edition” is truly an Offshore unlike any other.

If you are thinking that this tourbillon chronograph Royal Oak does not look like the other Offshore watches you have come to know and love, you would not be wrong. This Offshore model features a distinctive openworked dial that is a significant departure from the line’s more classic designs. Yet this is why we love Audemars Piguet: The Swiss brand never shies away from taking risks, innovating, and pushing the watch world as a whole forward. This impressive member of the Royal Oak Offshore line is the perfect example of that ethos.

Crafted from 18K rose gold, this watch combines the warmth of the metal with the cool and inviting intricacies of an openworked dial. Within the watch, you can catch a glimpse of the impressive tourbillon chronograph functionality. While the effect is certainly avant garde, the watch still preserves some classic Royal Oak architecture: Note the octagonal bezel and exposed lugs, for instance. This timepiece is a limited edition model with just 50 pieces produced worldwide, making it a major score for any collector.

In addition to our vast inventory of Audemars Piguet watches, we offer a variety of luxury watch brands from around the globe, including Rolex, Richard Mille, and Patek Philippe. Our timepieces range the full gamut of styles, from vibrant and playful to sleek and sophisticated. When you visit one of our three boutiques, do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our decadent Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line, perfect for the sophisticated modern woman.

Make an appointment today to shop with us in person today. We cannot wait to offer you a warm welcome into our Avi & Co. family.