An Audemars Piguet design classic goes over to the dark side
The Royal Oak Offshore self-winding chronograph watch has been rethought in black

Seventeen years after the release of Gérald Genta’s iconic Royal Oak watch for Audemars Piguet in 1970, designer Emmanuel Gueit rethought its elegant proportions in sketches that conjured up a more generously proportioned, bulkier model. On its eventual release in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore – nicknamed ‘The Beast’ – spoke to a younger generation that delighted in its robust form. Since then, the Royal Oak Offshore has become a watch design classic in its own right, with multiple iterations in materials ranging from titanium and forged carbon to steel and gold.
Now, for the first time and to mark the Offshore’s 30th anniversary, Audemars Piguet unveils the first Offshore watch in black ceramic, complete with matching bracelet and patterned dial. The sleek pitch black is broken up by bold white Arabic numerals and alternating polished and satin finishing, which adds depth while staying faithful to signature Audemars Piguet design codes.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
Brazilian designer Guilherme Wentz’s new collection creates sanctuary at home
His stunning new pocket collection of home accessories was designed for a market of one, but luckily, the covetable Objects for Silence are available to all
By Scott Mitchem Published
-
Van Cleef & Arpels light up London with the Dance Reflections festival
Van Cleef & Arpels are celebrating their ties with the world of choreography with the second edition of the Dance Reflections festival across London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Pretty on the inside: the BMW X3 M50 is a characterful but confrontational SUV
The flagship of the fourth generation X3 range, the M50 xDrive model showcases BMW’s skills at making SUVs that are delightful to drive
By Jonathan Bell Published