Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph

To mark the third year of its partnership as Official Timekeeper of the Tour Auto Lissac, the prestigious watch Manufacture Audemars Piguet launched Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph. With only 100 numbered timepieces made, this limited edition symbolizes the successful alliance between the worlds of automobile racing and fine watchmaking. In 1972, as the Tour de France Automobile wound its way across France for the 73rd year, Audemars Piguet created the very first stainless steel luxury sports watch, the Royal Oak, typified by its octagonal bezel and pure, timeless lines. Twenty years later, in 1992, Peter Auto re-launched the automobile challenge in its original form and Audemars Piguet created a new version of the Royal Oak with a true sporting pedigree the Offshore Chronograph.

In tribute to this acclaimed timepiece, the limited edition designed by the Manufacture for the Tour Auto 2008 is full of references to automobile racing. The black dial decorated with white counters evokes the chequered flag and the bright-red hands bring to mind the instruments of racing cars. The perforated leather strap is reminiscent of typical 70s motoring upholstery. Even the presentation case, in the form of a competition-standard air filter, captures the motor-racing feel.

The Tour Auto Lissac is not simply one of the most illustrious automobile rallies; it is also a gruelling competition that puts mechanics to the test. The mechanism beneath the octagonal case of the Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph is a blend of avant-garde technology, the quest for performance and the search for perfection, reflecting the values of automobile racing.

Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph

Reference

26184ST.00.D003CU.01

Limited series of 100 numbered timepieces

Movement

Self-winding 3126/3840 Calibre

Diameter: 11.5 lines (26mm)

Thickness: 7.16mm

59 rubies

365 parts

Power reserve: up to 60 hours

Balance frequency: 21,600 oscillations per hour

Variable inertia balance with eight inertia blocks

Geneva type mobile support stud

Three-stop winding mechanism stem

Finishing: hand-decorated parts; stippling on the bottom plate; polishing on counterpiercings, angles and countersinks;bevelling, snailing on bridges

Functions

Hours and minutes

Small seconds hand

Chronograph with centre second hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters

Tachometric scale on bezel

Date

Case

Stainless steel

Diameter: 42mm

Assembly screws in polished steel, sapphire crystal

Screwed crown

Back engraved with Tour Auto logo and the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Limited edition

Water resistant to 100m

Dial

Black with exclusive Mega Tapisserie design

Silver counters and bezel

Luminescent index

Luminescent hour and minute hands in grey gold

Strap

Perforated black leather with white stitching, remborded and hand-sewn, black lining

Stainless steel AP folding clasp

Audemars Piguet - Quincy Jones visits the Manufacture

On the eve of the traditional Swiss watch industry vacation, a very special guest and above all a longtime friend came to salute the remarkable work of the watchmakers in the Manufacture.

During his visit, the legendary multi-talented artist, trumpeter, composer and producer Quincy Jones, discovered the manufacturing secrets of Audemars Piguet timepieces and in particular those of the watch bearing his name, the Millenary Quincy Jones, which was presented at the SIHH 2010.

Quincy Jones. © Audemars Piguet

Before the workshop tour, Audemars Piguet Art Director Octavio Garcia recalled the fruitful work undertaken with the famous musician in creating the Millenary Quincy Jones, a watch featuring resolutely contemporary lines and a sophisticated design playing on nuances and subtle contrasts between brilliant and satin-polished surfaces echoing the notes on the keyboard of a piano, an instrument dear to the artist’s heart.

Throughout this radiantly sunny day, Quincy Jones admired the work of these skilled watchmaking artisans, commenting that “these men and women really impress me by their precision and the expertise they display in shaping these timeless gems. They are great creative talents and passionately dedicated artists, just like those for whom I serve as producer.”

The artiste and Philippe Merk, Audemars Piguet CEO. © Audemars Piguet

For several years, Audemars Piguet and this exceptional individual have been associated in developing “Project Q”, aimed at raising political and public awareness of young people’s need for self-expression and the means that must be provided to ensure they fulfil their true potential. The cornerstone of “Project Q” is the “Q Prize”, an international award presented by Audemars Piguet and honouring a public figure or social organisation having played a central role on behalf of children. Through his Quincy Jones Foundation, the artist is also committed to helping children by improving their well-being, their health and their dignity. The new Millenary Quincy Jones watch will contribute to raising funds for this foundation.

Know-how, artistic passion and empathy… Such shared values were bound to further strengthen the ties between this music legend and the famous Swiss watch manufacturer.

Through his Quincy Jones Foundation, the artist is also committed to helping children by improving their well-being, their health and their dignity. © Audemars Piguet

In speaking of the man behind the foundation, Audemars Piguet CEO Philippe Merk said: “Quincy Jones is not only an amazing artist and a daring entrepreneur, but above all a man with a big heart. One cannot help admiring his career, especially considering the difficulties he encountered during his childhood. He gives us an important life lesson and naturally inspires profound respect.”

Before returning to Montreux where he will present his new “Quincy Jones & the Global Gumbo All Stars” ensemble, this informal yet highly emotional visit paid to the Manufacture will remain engraved in the memory of the company and its personnel. Much like the master-watchmakers who have been steadily forging the reputation of Audemars Piguet for the past 135 years, Quincy Jones has been shaping the history of music for several decades already.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Orchard Road Watch

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Orchard Road watch is only 100 pieces (Celebrating Audemars Piguet Boutique in Singapore) worldwide.This piece came with an auspicious double digits. This watch is only available through Audemars Piguet La Boutique Singapore and is a rare and highly prized collectible piece.This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Orchard Road is an iconic watch from the legendary maker.

The Royal Oak Offshore Orchard Road watch is crafted from titanium, a material highly appreciated for its lightness and supereme wear-resistance. The famous octagonal bezel with rubber clad. Anthracite waffled dial with black chronograph subdials, tachymeter scale on outer dial, red outlined luminescent Arabic numerals and a red "8", steel outlined luminescent hour/minute hands, white chronograph hour/minute hands and markers, red second chronograph hand, and date display at 3 o'clock. Solid tantalium caseback engraved with "Royal Oak Offshore Orchard Road Limited Edition". Equipped with a black rubber strap with AP folding clasp.