The Watch: This one is big in every sense. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 15703ST.OO.A002CA.01.
The story of the Royal Oak Offshore has a bit of “Kill Yr Idols” to it: With Genta long gone, the line was launched in 1993 as a muscular update of the famed Royal Oak line by Gerald Genta. The Offshore was designed by Emmanuelle Gueit, who had been at Audemars Piguet for several years and had been working on revamping Genta’s Royal Oak for some time, having been handed the task of making it appeal to a younger audience. It was 42mm, larger than anything on the market since Panerai was still 6 years from being available to the public. Design cues were updated with an added crown guard and integrated strap instead of a bracelet, as well as exposed rubber gaskets and rubber-covered chronograph pushers.
The line was launched as Baselworld 1993, and the potentially apocryphal story is that Genta stormed into AP’s booth screaming that his baby had been killed by the brand. But he was never vindicated. The Offshore was soon a success, finding its audience first in Italy. According to Gueit, the watch became a favorite among young and wealthy Italians, and received further recognition when the country’s most beloved athlete, alpine skiing legend Alberto Tomba, started wearing the watch.
Condition: Near-mint condition with the slightest bit of wear on the corner of the buckle, and the rubber strap having bent slightly to a wrist. Otherwise, it’s spotless and just back from service.
Includes: Watch, AP travel box, 2024 service papers.
