Jamie Weiss
AP unveils a pair of subtly different Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronographs as part of its first semester releases.The 43mm model sees green ceramic return to the Offshore range, combining a black ceramic case middle with a green ceramic bezel and a textured calfskin strap.The 42mm model features a fully black ceramic case and bracelet, differentiating itself from 2023’s “Black Ceramic Beast” through a Mega Tapisserie dial.The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore has always been a proudly unsubtle watch – indeed, its inaugural reference, the 25721ST, was nicknamed “The Beast” because of its imposing 42mm diameter and 14.05mm thickness. These days, we’re used to seeing watches with 42mm case diameters and above, yet in terms of pure vibes, the Royal Oak Offshore remains a proper horological statement. Crafting this beastly watch out of ceramic helps reduce its weight on the wrist, however, so it’s no surprise that we’ve seen an arary of ceramic-cased ROOs join AP’s catalogue over the years. 2025 sees another two join that list, both of which feature understated and somewhat stealthy looks – or as stealthy as an Offshore can be…The larger and sportier of the two, the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm ref. 26420CE.OO.A063VE.01, combines a black ceramic case middle with a green ceramic bezel, chronograph pushers and crown knurling, as well as a dark green PVD Mega Tapisserie dial. For the uninitiated, Mega Tapisserie is a scaled-up take on the Royal Oak’s classic tapisserie guilloche pattern, which features broad vertically-engraved squares punctuated by deep ravines, almost resembling a block of chocolate.This reference marks the return of green ceramic to the ROO range. The combination of these green ceramic highlights with the black case and bezel gasket plus the brushed titanium components and textile-effect green calfskin strap gives this Offshore a distinctly MIL-SPEC vibe – it’s far less ostentatious than most Offshores. Under the hood beats the Calibre 4401, an in-house flyback chronograph movement with a 70-hour power reserve and a date window at 4:30.The second of these two new Offshores, the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm ref. 26238CE.OO.1300CE.02, is even stealthier, with a fully black ceramic case, bracelet and dial. Superficially, this reference resembles the “Black Ceramic Beast” ref. 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01 released in 2023 – and indeed, it features the same case, bracelet and movement. However, it differentiates itself from that model (which was a reasonably faithful recreation of the original ref. 25721ST in black ceramic) by utilising a Mega Tapisserie rather than a Petite Tapisserie dial, as well as in the design of its subdials, hands and indices.Speaking of the movement: its calibre 4404 is very similar to the 4401 used in the 43mm model released alongside it, with it featuring the same functions and power reserve (although the Calibre 4404’s date window is found at 3 o’clock). Both watches are also water-resistant to 100 metres. The biggest difference between the two, other than sizing and aesthetics, is in price: the 42mm is almost 50% more expensive than the 43mm, which can mostly be chalked up to the cost of the former’s full ceramic integrated bracelet.Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mm and 42mm pricing and availabilityBoth these Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore chronographs are available now. Price: US$58,400 (ref. 26420CE.OO.A063VE.01), US$86,900 (ref. 26238CE.OO.1300CE.02)BrandAudemars PiguetModelRoyal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 43mmRoyal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mmReference Number26420CE.OO.A063VE.0126238CE.OO.1300CE.02Case Dimensions43mm (D) x 14.4mm (T)42mm (D) x 15.3mm (T)Case MaterialBlack ceramic case, green ceramic bezelBlack ceramicWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialGreen Mega TapisserieBlack Mega TapisserieLug WidthIntegratedStrapDark green textured calfskin leather strap with titanium pin buckleAdditional black rubber strapBlack ceramic bracelet with titanium three-blade folding claspMovementCalibre 4401, in-house, automaticCalibre 4404, in-house, automaticPower Reserve70 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronographAvailabilityAvailable nowPriceUS$58,400US$86,900
26.02.25