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Lot Essay
This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. If shipped internationally, the watch will be supplied without a strap.
Introduced in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore represented a bold evolution of Audemars Piguet’s original Royal Oak, translating its unmistakable design into a larger and more robust sports watch. Its substantial proportions and assertive aesthetic quickly established the Offshore as an important collection in its own right.
The present reference 26021BC is an exceptionally rare and highly exclusive diamond-set Royal Oak Offshore, specially commissioned for the Alinghi Racing Team. According to Audemars Piguet, only two examples were ever produced in white gold, placing the present timepiece among the rarest special-production Royal Oak Offshore models.
Its connection to Alinghi is immediately apparent on the dial, with the team’s distinctive red logo prominently displayed within the chronograph register at 9 o’clock. This vibrant red is echoed around the minute track, providing a striking contrast to the otherwise luxurious composition. The mother-of-pearl dial displays subtle pink and white hues that shift according to the light and is further enhanced by factory-set diamonds on the hour markers.
The substantial white gold case is equally impressive, factory-set with 32 diamonds and giving the watch a considerable presence on the wrist. Together with the diamond-set dial, mother-of-pearl surface and Alinghi-specific details, it creates an extraordinary interpretation of the Royal Oak Offshore’s characteristically sporting architecture.
Introduced in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore represented a bold evolution of Audemars Piguet’s original Royal Oak, translating its unmistakable design into a larger and more robust sports watch. Its substantial proportions and assertive aesthetic quickly established the Offshore as an important collection in its own right.
The present reference 26021BC is an exceptionally rare and highly exclusive diamond-set Royal Oak Offshore, specially commissioned for the Alinghi Racing Team. According to Audemars Piguet, only two examples were ever produced in white gold, placing the present timepiece among the rarest special-production Royal Oak Offshore models.
Its connection to Alinghi is immediately apparent on the dial, with the team’s distinctive red logo prominently displayed within the chronograph register at 9 o’clock. This vibrant red is echoed around the minute track, providing a striking contrast to the otherwise luxurious composition. The mother-of-pearl dial displays subtle pink and white hues that shift according to the light and is further enhanced by factory-set diamonds on the hour markers.
The substantial white gold case is equally impressive, factory-set with 32 diamonds and giving the watch a considerable presence on the wrist. Together with the diamond-set dial, mother-of-pearl surface and Alinghi-specific details, it creates an extraordinary interpretation of the Royal Oak Offshore’s characteristically sporting architecture.