Recently, I had the opportunity to see two very special watches from the Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet that I had never seen in person before. These are the two versions of the 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph in black ceramic, introduced in 2023 with the initial concept of being sold exclusively in Germany before expanding internationally. Let’s call them the “German editions.”
Both watches are limited to 50 pieces each and feature black ceramic cases. One version is more discreet, with details made of titanium, while the other is more visually striking, with details in pink gold.
The black ceramic case and bezel are enhanced by push-piece guards, crown cap, and studs crafted in titanium for the first timepiece and in 18-carat pink gold for the second one, as well as the titanium bridges with grey or pink-gold-toned PVD coating. The stainless steel screws give additional contrast to the black ceramic bezel.
The case design of these two timepieces was first introduced in 2021 with the launch of the 43 mm line. It features larger polished chamfers on the flanks, while the bezel and glareproofed sapphire crystal are slightly curved vertically, adding a contemporary touch. The case thickness is 15.5 mm—not particularly thin—but given the inclusion of a high complication and the Royal Oak Offshore’s original concept of being bold, big, and brutal, it works.
Although the watch appears chunky, it feels different on the wrist, thanks to the lightweight of ceramic. Switching between the version with titanium details and the one with gold accents reveals a noticeable, though not dramatic, difference in weight. Overall, the black ceramic Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is a thoroughly modern watch with a bold aesthetic and serious mechanics, presented in a relatively discreet form—especially in the version with titanium inserts.
Calibre 2967
These two limited editions are powered by Calibre 2967 that features a flying tourbillon, visible at 6 o’clock, and a flyback chronograph which enables to reset and instantly restart the chronograph hands with one single push. The balance wheel oscillates at a frequency of 3 Hz and powers the timepiece for 65 hours when not on the wrist, considering that it had been kept fully wound. The movement consists of 526 parts. The sapphire caseback offers a view on the 22-carat oscillating weight decorated with a black PVD coating. Water-resistant to 100 metres, each of these Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph models is engraved with “Limited Edition of 50 pieces” on the caseback.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Chronograph in black ceramic with titanium details. When it comes to crafting and finishing ceramic watches, few can rival Audemars Piguet. Their expertise in refining this challenging material is unparalleled in the watchmaking world. The finishing of the bezel, as you can see in the pictures below, is something you might recognize from the steel Royal Oaks, but achieving the same level of refinement on a ceramic bezel is simply astonishing.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Chronograph in black ceramic with details in pink gold.
The Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is equipped with the interchangeability system that has been directly integrated into the case’s studs and strap buckle. This system allows the wearer to change straps and buckles with a simple click and release. The double-push mechanism ensures optimal security when the watch is worn. Delivered on a black rubber strap, both references also include a second hand-stitched black alligator strap.
These two watches are both highly exclusive and incredibly expensive, as one would expect from Audemars Piguet. Typically, prices for such timepieces are “on request” or what could be referred to as “daily prices.” This means that when a customer expresses interest in purchasing, AP considers various factors, such as the current market price of materials like gold, the demand for the model, and other variables on that specific day. The price range for the Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Chronograph in black ceramic is around €360,000 to nearly €400,000, depending on whether you opt for the titanium or gold version.
More details about Audemars Piguet watches find on www.audemarspiguet.com
