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Newswatch: Audemars Piguet And Arnold Schwarzenegger Celebrate 30 Years Of The Royal Oak Offshore With “End of Days” Release

Slug: audemars-piguet-unveils-royal-oak-offshore-end-of-days-limited-edition

It is time to get to the chopper? Not quite yet watch fans as Audemars Piguet have released another edition of the highly revered Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph. Given the reference 26420CE, this Royal Oak Offshore is given the name ‘The Beast’. And for good reason as it has joined forces with the Governator and ex Mr. Universe, Arnold Schwarzenegger to revamp this blink and you’ll miss it watch that appeared for a fleeting moment in the 1999 film “End of Days”. An Emmanuel Geit concept from 1993, this watch is a symbol of a breakaway from normal references.

How can we be honest without being rude? ‘End of Days’ was a flop! Of course, we aren't here to review films (Filmwatch is in the pipeworks!) So join us now as we discuss The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph reference 26420CE.

Brief History Behind The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph was released in 1993 and brought with it a lot of controversies.

Arnie’s split second spot with the 25770SN - Source - Rotten Tomatoes

The 25770SN is crafted to its 42mm size which was considered to be very large at that time. As such, the 25770SN wasn't appreciated upon its release, especially since the 25770SN was now associated with a film ‘End of Days’ that was considered a failure.

The 25770SN was limited to 500 pieces and represented the first example of a watch brand linking with a celebrity that AP took on. The design of the 25770SN was that the watch be coated in black PVD and given yellow indices to create legibility against the classic petite Tapisserie dial. The 25770SN would eventually become more and more popular, resulting in Audemars Piguet being inspired to release another edition. Suffice to say, the reference 26420CE is just as bulbous and masculine as the original. Hands off, Arnie!

Design Of The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph

Sizing up at 43mm, the new reference 26420CE is crafted out of the highly durable black ceramic. The perfect futuristic material when you look to buy an Audemars Piguet!

Reference 26420CE - Source - La Cote Des Montres

If you thought the reference 26420CE couldn't get any more durable, even the smallest details like the pushers and the caseback are crafted out of titanium. The screws are crafted out of steel and are built in the typical Royal Oak style of eight being situated at each point of the octagonal case.

Titanium and ceramic are extremely light as well as tough, allowing the user to experience the best of both worlds. This also means the presence on the wrist is reduced, allowing the user to simply slip the 26420CE under shirt cuffs without even knowing it's there! Just like the 25770SN, the 26420CE is crafted using the same black and yellow colour scheme. In particular, the watch is black on everything aside from the hands, indices and tachymeter which feature little jolts of yellow in order to enhance their legibility.

The reference 26420CE utilises a Mega Tapisserie dial instead of the petite Tapisserie dial on the previous edition. The dial now follows a checkerboard pattern which allows the three sub dials to clearly stand out, especially since they each have a sunburst finish for their background. We do get a Black Hawk down utilitarian type feel to this watch thanks to its noticeable yellow numbers and black case.

In fact, those were Arnie’s exact specs when he donned the Royal Oak Offshore in “End of Days.” It was only when Audemars Piguet decided to launch a 500 only limited edition watch later in the year that everything went off the charts. It symbolised the start of major collaborations between AP and celebrities that would catapult the Offshore to cult status in the horological world. Just 6 years later in 2005, JayZ collaborated with Audemars Piguet to create The Royal Oak Offshore Jay-Z 10th Anniversary Limited Edition, consisting of 100 watches.

The hands are crafted out of white gold and are blackened in order to fit in with the rest of the model. They are also given a slight tinge of yellow in order to enhance their legibility as they run along the similarly yellow indices. The 26420CE utilises a black calfskin strap with yellow stitching in order to keep in correlation with the rest of the model. A new feature on the strap is its integrated interchangeable system, allowing it to be removed with ease and should appeal to potential new-gen Offshore buyers. Perfect for the jet setter, man about town or style conscious.

The 26420CE comes with a yellow strap with black stitching if you are feeling a little bit more rambunctious about your fashion if you want to buy an Audemars Piguet!

Technical Features Of The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph

The 25770SN was originally powered by the calibre 2226 / 2840. Nearly as powerful as Arnie’s delts, due to its monometallic balance that automatically adjusted to various temperatures, it featured a 21k gold rotor for that extra sparkle of luxury!

26420CE - Source - Oracle Time

The 26420CE has since been updated and now features Audemars Piguet’s latest self winding chronograph movement, the calibre 4401. The calibre includes a column wheel as well as a flyback function. The flyback function is exceptionally good as it allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted just through pressing one button. By utilising the column wheel as well as a vertical clutch, they work in conjunction harmoniously allowing the second hand not to jerk.

While the 25770SN has a gold rotor, this latest edition features a rose gold 22K pink gold oscillating weight. In order to fit in with the darkened colour scheme of the titanium caseback, the oscillating weight has been given a grey sheen.

The calibre is given a beautiful finish in the form of Côtes de Genève, sunray finishing, satin finishing and bevelling. Furthermore, you can really boost your horological ego by wearing this watch due to the caseback featuring the words ‘Limited Edition of 500 Pieces’. After all, you're a man who only likes the finer things in this world. As such, that's why you buy an Audemars Piguet.

Final Thoughts On The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph has relieved the 25770SN of its negative associations.

26420CE - Source - Audemars Piguet

Although the 25770SN was unorthodox for its time and brought about a lot of criticism, it has paved the way for this astonishing new watch to be released this year. The 26420CE has included a few key updates which have positively impacted the namesake of the 25770SN.

Capped at 500 pieces like its predecessor, the watch is a rarity and will certainly increase in value due to its scarcity and its association with the celebrity world. Nothing sells better than a cult watch! And there’s nothing that shouts a horological figurehead than The Beast! By following the design codes of the highly revered Royal Oak, buyers will enjoy the classic design of the watch and its extremely ergonomic feel through its ceramic and titanium build.

It's a watch of great prestige and it's certainly one that has a strong history and pop icon symbolism. Pair this bad boy with a smart navy suit to enhance the yellow aspects of the model or go full Arnie and wear this with a tank top or smart t-shirt when you're shooting your way out of a tight spot…or sipping a few Mojitos at your favourite beachside bar!

You can buy an Audemars Piguet “End of Days” reference 26420CE at retail for £51,800 - at the time of writing.

Like The Royal Oak Offshore, you know we’ll be back!

Conclusion

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph is a solid upgrade from the 1999 End of Days edition. It maintains the same vision of yellow indices and hands against a black backdrop but updates the calibre to a solid 72 hour power reserve and updates the dial finish to a Mega Tapisserie dial instead of the Petite Tapisserie dial.

The watch is absolutely stunning if muscly is your thing. We certainly think it's worth your weighty consideration! Now all that’s left to do is point you in the right direction of where you should buy an Audemars Piguet.

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