The Royal Oak Offshore by Audemars Piguet is a curious creature. A collection launched in 1993 to succeed the Royal Oak, it forged its own path, largely because the 1990s’ stylistic tastes Emmanuel Gueit imbued into it were a perfect fit for this behemoth — a beast, if you will. Over time, the controversial Offshore achieved great popularity and gained momentum to the point of telling the classic Royal Oak, “I’ll do it my way, buddy.” And do it, it did — becoming a fixture in pop culture and contemporary watchmaking forevermore.

So, while the Royal Oak was the quintessential sports chic watch, the Offshore, with its bolder proportions and more relaxed stylistic constraints, became AP’s rebellious artist, a platform for experimentation and a vessel for high complications. And yet it managed to stay fresh, cool and — I dare say — essential, thanks in particular to the three-hand, self-winding Diver. I like this beast of the deep!

Today, we have three more versions, each designed to satisfy any desire for style, color and purpose. Audemars Piguet is expanding its Diver line with three new 42mm references that reinforce the model’s functional character while exploring a more striking color palette.

Originally introduced in 2021 in its current 42mm format, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver is distinguished by an architecture designed specifically for underwater use. Its stainless steel case, water resistant to 300 meters, features two black ceramic screw-down crowns: one for setting the time and the other for controlling the internal rotating bezel.

The three new references for 2026 share the same technical base, confirming the design’s maturity. At 14.2mm thick, the case, robust as it is, looks reasonably balanced, while the anti-reflective sapphire crystals on both the front and back ensure readability.

The distinguishing feature of these new editions is the color treatment of the dial, bezel and interchangeable rubber strap. Two of the references feature a black dial with AP’s Méga Tapisserie motif, a large-scale texture that reinforces the Offshore identity. In both cases, the 0 to 15-minute zone of the flange is shown in vibrant colors: pink for the first reference and turquoise for the second, matching the numerals on the rehaut. These chromatic accents are not merely decorative. The choice of contrasting colors for the first 15 minutes is based on functional logic to facilitate reading in low-visibility conditions. The Diver hands and applied 18K gold indexes, coated with luminescent material, ensure constant visibility. Finally, there is a date window at 3 o’clock to wrap up the design and functionality.

The third reference introduces a different color scheme to the collection. Its blue-green dial with Méga Tapisserie pattern offers a more subtle and technical contrast, reinforced by a white luminescent zone from 0 to 15 minutes on the diving scale. The applied indexes and Diver hands, which are also luminescent, interact with touches of rose gold in the dial details and on the crown, adding some visual warmth that sets this model apart.

On all three watches, interchangeable rubber straps — white, turquoise or teal — reinforce the chromatic coherence of each reference and underscore the sporty character of the Offshore Diver.

The mechanical heart of these new editions is AP’s Caliber 4308. It beats at 4Hz (28,800vph) and offers a minimum power reserve of 60 hours. Visible through the sapphire caseback, the blackened 22K rose gold oscillating weight adds a sober contrast to the overall technical aesthetics.

The Royal Oak Offshore Diver is, and always has been, a bold and unapologetic sports watch. But it can also be fun and lighthearted, adapting to the occasion, mood and location, whether in the Riviera Maya, at MoMA or in Goodwood. It is a sports watch that will impress some as much as it will infuriate others. I align with the former.

Tech Specs: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver

References 15720ST.OO.A010CA.01 (black and pink); 15720ST.OO.A355CA.01 (black and turquoise); 15720ST.OO.A403CA.01 (blue-green)
Movement Self-winding Caliber 4308; 60-hour power reserve
Functions Hours, minutes; seconds and date
Case 42mm × 14.2mm; stainless steel, fixed bezel with internal unidirectional rotating diving flange; water resistant to 300m
Dial Méga Tapisserie pattern; 18K white gold Diver hour markers with luminescent coating
Strap Interchangeable color-coordinated rubber; stainless steel pin buckle
Price TBC