Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Replica Review
In January 2012 Audemars Piguet celebrates 40 years of the Royal Oak so the brand from Le Brassus, revealed two limited edition models at SIHH to commemorate this event.The Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak has a 39mm case and is produced in a limited series of 40. The second limited edition presented at SIHH was the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon 41mm, again a limited run of only 40.
Now Audemars Piguet have revealed their third and final limited edition model for 2012, the Royal Oak Leo Messi. This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Lady replica watch is available in three variants, unmistakably a Royal Oak, but with a fresh look we have never seen before.
The case
The octagonal bezel shape of the original is retained. It features eight hexagonal screws in polished white gold faithful to the Gerald Genta design of 1972, but the bezel is made of tantalum.Tantalum is a hard, blue-grey metal, highly resistant to corrosion and about twice as heavy as steel. It is rare and often used in laboratory equipment as it is chemically inert. In this instance it affords the cheap watch a unique hue. In some light the blue tincture appears dominant and then with a slight twist of the wrist a grey shade takes precedent.
Each high quality Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Replica watch is supplied with two straps, one in hand stitched "large square scale" crocodile leather and a second strap in black rubber. They affix to the case with four fastening links made of the aforementioned tantalum. The straps attach to a deployant made of platinum, featuring the letters "A" and "P" and reinforce the high-end character of the fake watch.
The crown and pusher surrounds echo the profile of the bezel, presented in noblest of metals in the case of the platinum variant I favour.The crown features the AP logo on its vertical flank. The rounded centres of the pushers are highly polished and contrast with the adjacent satin surfaces.The case back is solid, retained with eight screws. The case back is engraved with the words "Limited Edition" and "Leo Messi". At the centre of the dial are the words "Royal Oak". This is the only area I want to change. I would have favoured a sapphire crystal back because I know that within the case is one of the finest examples of finissage on the market.
The dial
When Gerald Genta penned his classic Royal Oak in 1972, it featured a blue petite tapisserie dial.I fell for the charms of 41mm Self-Winding Royal Oak earlier this year which featured a black tapisserie dial. It continues to be one of my favourite replica watches of 2012 and is on my ever-growing wish list.The Royal Oak Leo Messi has a very different dial. It has a brushed anthracite finish on the steel and pink gold variants, and on my favourite version, the platinum model, a brushed blue dial.
The dial features applique hour markers, faithful to the original. The Royal Oak hands are retained, presented in white gold on the platinum version with luminescent markings to their centre.Three subdials feature on the dial. At 3 o'clock a 30 minute chrono counter resides. Subsidiary seconds are located at 6 o'clock. A 12 hour chrono counter is located at 9 o'clock. The main colour of the dial is repeated at the centre of the subdials and silver coloured circlet define their perimeter. The AP logo resides to the north of the dial in contrast to the 1972 original where it sat just above 6 o'clock.The dial is a model of clarity. Still recognisable as a Royal Oak, but with a contemporary persona.
The movement
The self-winding mechanical calibre 2385 is a manufacture movement. The belle of Le Brassus is the result of impeccable breeding. Calibre 2385 features 304 components, 37 jewels, has a frequency of 21,600 vph and a power reserve of 40 hours.The movement has a diameter of 26.2 mm and every aspect of it is finely finished. One aspect I particularly admire is the 18-carat monobloc gold rotor featuring straight line engraving.Peerless craftsmanship is hidden from view. I wish the watchmaker would allow me to share the beauty of their work. The finishing of this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore replica watch is truly spectacular and testament to the expertise of Audemars Piguet who were founded in 1875.
Conclusion
I have already confessed to having little affinity with football, however, in preparation of this article I have watched clips of Signor Messi playing football and must confess to being amazed at his colossal talent. But, the collaboration between Leo Messi and Audemars Piguet has resulted in three gorgeous timepieces I covet with every fibre of my body.
A personal hero of mine is Octavio Garcia, Artistic Director of Audemars Piguet. He was tasked with revisiting Gerald Genta's original work and successfully delivered an incredible collection at SIHH earlier this year. This good quality fake watch is a neoteric interpretation of the 1972 model and to my mind one of the finest Royal Oak models I have seen.I now have to reconcile the frustration of wanting two further Audemars Piguet models for my collection, the pink gold Royal Self-Winding on bracelet and the platinum Royal Oak Lionel Messi.I am glad Audemars Piguet do not plan to launch any further limited edition models this year as my fiscal frustrations would exceed their already elevated level.
Technical specification:
1. Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Leo Messi Limited Edition
2. Reference: 26325PL.OO.D310CR.01
3. Case: Platinum; diameter 41.00 mm; water resistant to 5 bar (50 metres); sapphire crystal to front; solid case back inscribed "ROYAL OAK LIMITED EDITION" and "LEO MESSI".
4. Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; date; chronograph.
5. Movement: Manufacture Calibre 2385, self-winding; frequency 21,600 vph (3 Hz); 37 jewels; power reserve 40 hours; 304 parts.
6. Strap: Supplied with two straps. One strap in crocodile leather and a second strap in black rubber. The straps attach to an AP platinum deployant.
