Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph (26278IK.GG.D002CA.01)

In 2009, the Manufacture Audemars Piguet is partnering the Tour Auto Optic 2000 for the fourth time running by serving as Official Timekeeper: a perfect opportunity for the watch brand to create an exceptional new timepiece, the “Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph”, issued in a limited edition of 100.

The Audemars Piguet chronograph demonstrates a range of stylistic peculiarities inspired by racing cars.

The black dial of the watch is completed with red counters reminding of a chequered race flag. The red hand resembles the hands featured on the instrument panel of a racing car. The dial is adorned with exclusive “Mega-Tapisserie” decorative motif. It is also completed with luminescent hour-markers and luminescent white gold hour and minute hands.

The case of the Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph is crafted from titanium, a material highly appreciated for its lightness and supreme wear-resistance.

The case construction, 42 mm in diameter, incorporates an octagonal bezel, produced from black rubber and fitted with polished steel screws, as well as a screw-lock crown and push-pieces in red rubber. The face of the timepiece is protected by a sapphire crystal.

The case-back of the Audemars Piguet watch shows off an engraving of the Tour Auto logo and the inscription – “Royal Oak Offshore – Serie Limitee.” The timepiece is 100-meter water-resistant.

The Tour Auto 2009 Chronograph guarantees precision timekeeping as it is equipped with a self-winding movement - Calibre 2326/2840, beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It offers 38 hours of power reserve.

The movement reveals fine finishing, with all parts decorated by hand. Its mainplate is rhodium-plated, bevelled and circular-grained, while the bridges are embellished with Cotes de Geneve motif.

The Tour Auto, one of the most prestigious car events in the world, puts mechanisms to the strictest test. Keeping it in mind, Audemars Piguet has created the new watch synonymous to avant-garde technology, supreme performance and remarkable dedication to perfection.

Audemars Piguet Golf Ambassador Cristie Kerr Wins Second Important Title In Two Weeks

(New York, NY – June 27, 2010) Another exciting victory for an Audemars Piguet golf ambassador with victory by Cristie Kerr at the LPGA Championship (the second major championship of the year) at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, NY. She is thus adding a second Grand Slam title to her tally, after winning the US Women’s Open three years ago.

Kerr started the day with an 8-stroke lead and won the tournament by an incredible 12-strokes. Just two weeks ago, Kerr was victorious at the LPGA State Farm Classic. Kerr now becomes the first American to be No. 1 in the world rankings with this latest victory as well as only the fifth player to hold the No. 1 spot since the rankings were introduced in 2006.

“With Cristie’s win today, no other watch brand can say they have had as many tournament victories this year as Audemars Piguet. Cristie as well as our other victorious golf ambassadors Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Morgan Pressel and Miguel Angel Jiménez truly exemplify the brand’s core value of excellence. We are incredibly honored to support such remarkable talent.” says Philippe Merk, CEO of Audemars Piguet.

In addition to Cristie Kerr, the AP Golf Ambassador Team represents the company’s commitment to golf by gathering an array of exceptional players for the brand. The manufacturer’s illustrious pro-golfer roster includes Lam Chih Bing, Darren Clarke, Nick Faldo, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Shiv Kapur, Shingo Katayama, Anthony Kim, Thomas Levet, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Rocco Mediate, Morgan Pressel, Vijay Singh, DJ Trahan, and Lee Westwood.

Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Argentina: A tribute to the Bicentenary of Argentina

In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the May Revolution, which led to the independence of Argentina, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has created a limited edition watch Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Argentina.

From the heart of the Valleé de Joux in Switzerland, the master watchmakers of the Audemars Piguet Manufacture wanted to pay homage to the May Revolution of 1810, one of the most significant milestones in the rich and intricate construction of the nation of Argentina.

The design of the iconic Royal Oak Offshore model conveys the strength and the character of its lines to the exclusive collection Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Argentina, while elegantly highlighting the colors of the national flag. No less than three years were needed to develop this exceptional timepiece, reflecting the unique tradition and expertise of Audemars Piguet‘s watchmakers.

This commemorative piece is presented in two versions: one model in steel and titanium, a striking and innovating combination of materials, and the other model in precious 18-carat pink gold. The deep blue hue of the dial reminds us of the blue sky when the sun of May prevails, symbolized itself by the rose gold of the case or of the numerical indexes that records the passing of the time. The numerals are handmade of solid 18-carat gold, individually screwed onto the dial.

Both models feature a case back especially engraved with the inscription “Pride of Argentina – 1810-2010 – Limited Edition” and with the monument of the Cabildo, where the May Revolution started.

The collection Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Argentina is part of a very few limited editions in the history of Audemars Piguet. With a production limited to 50 pieces for its pink gold version and 100 for its steel – titanium version, it is an exclusive testimony of 200 years of Argentine independence.

26365OR.OO.D801CR.01

Limited series of 50 numbered pieces

18-carat pink gold case

Brown rubber-coated crown and push pieces

26365IS.OO.D305CR.01

Limited series of 100 numbered pieces

Titanium case, stainless steel bezel and screws

Blue rubber-coated crown and push pieces

Caseback engraved with the Cabildo and the inscription “Pride of Argentina - 1810-2010– Limited Edition”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MOVEMENT:

Calibre: 2326/2840, automatic movement

Power Reserve: up to 38 hours

Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour

Finishing: all parts are hand decorated; main plate beveled and circular-grained; all bridges adorned with “côtes de Genève”

FUNCTIONS:

Hours, minutes and small seconds, chronograph with central second hands, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, tachometer, date

CASE:

Diameter: 42mm

Thickness: 14.7mm

Sapphire Crystal Back

Water-resistance: 100m

DIAL:

Blue dial with exclusive “Mega Tapisserie” pattern with blue counters.

White gold applied Arabic numerals (titanium/steel model) or pink gold applied Arabic numerals (pink gold model)

Luminescent hour–markers and hands in white gold (titanium/steel model) or pink gold (pink gold model)

PULSERA:

Hand-stitched “Hornback” blue crocodile strap and steel AP folding clasp (titanium/steel model).

The box that protects these models is a true work of art itself, and a reinterpretation of the Argentine flag. Hand-made by a local artisan using a traditional lacquer process, the case is made of precious wood, meticulously lacquered and varnished with the national colors. Many attempts were necessary to match the exact pantone of the Argentine flag since many variations are encountered when using solid wood.