The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor Chronograph
It is a unique timepiece, but the AP Survivor isn’t as scary as it may seem
Avant-Garde Cubed
The world of watches is a wonderfully diverse collection of brands, models, aesthetics, design languages and many more facets. Still, few watches push the boat out as far as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor Chronograph. Famed for creating one of the most avant-garde timepieces in all of horology with the Royal Oak, AP aren't exactly known for being conservative with their styling, and their Survivor is no different.
Fulfilling its Purpose
Launched in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore collection's purpose was to be the watch in AP's catalogue that catered to the younger and sportier consumer than those that bought the Royal Oak, of which it was inspired by. With such a billing to live up to, the Offshore collection was fitted with several sporty upgrades that the Royal Oak didn't have.
From thicker rubber gaskets, rubberised pushers, a tachymeter scale, chronograph complications as standard, a revised bracelet design and various other details, the Offshore was basically a Royal Oak that someone had put in the gym for a few weeks. On the other hand, the Royal Oak Survivor is to the Offshore like the Offshore is to the Royal Oak.
With the Offshore collection's typical upgrades combined with the Survivor's more unique elements, the Survivor looks like a watch straight out of an action movie. These upgrades allow the Survivor to excel as perhaps the most extreme variant of the Offshore, allowing it to handle anything – as the collection was originally intended.
Unique Aesthetics
Designed to look like it would survive in the apocalypse, the Survivor is a uniquely rugged-looking watch. Beginning with its construction, the Survivor features a black PVD-coated titanium case that is fitted with a matching black ceramic bezel, itself decorated with deep vertical grooves. This black-out textured aesthetic provides plenty of visual intrigue and lends a somewhat industrial look to the Survivor.
Given exposed bezel screws are a mainstay of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, the Survivor needed something that elevated it beyond the collection's ordinary confines. Featuring large hex-key type screws, the Survivor's apocalyptic aesthetic is compounded upon by AP's lack of conservatism with the Survivor's fine details.
Furthermore, the Survivor comes fitted with fully articulated pushpiece guards that further push (pun intended!) the Survivor's aesthetic even further beyond that of a conventional Royal Oak Offshore. With these pushpiece guards, and somewhat oversized screw-locked crown, the Survivor's aesthetics are extreme, yet still loyal to the collection from which it belongs.
Looking at the black dial of the Survivor, we see AP’s classic Méga Tapisserie pattern – mostly found on the Offshore, combined with a unique set of semi-skeletonised hands. Thanks to the white running seconds dial at 12 o’clock, we have the only hint of colour, and perhaps the Survivor’s only subtle design aspect, in form of a red-tipped seconds hand. Finally, tying the monochromatic aesthetic together, the Survivor’s black vulcanised rubber strap features a texture that resembles the Méga Tapisserie pattern found in its dial. Clearly holistic in their design approach to the Survivor, AP have ensured all of its unique individual pieces combine to create an exceptional looking timepiece.
Wearability and Functionality
When looking at a watch like the Survivor, one would be forgiven for assuming that it would be uncomfortable to wear, but the fact of the matter is instead the opposite. Measuring in at 42mm and featuring a non-slip textured caseback, the Survivor sits comfortably on the wrist. Furthermore, as it is made of titanium and comes mounted on a its vulcanised rubber strap, the Survivor weighs less than you might imagine, reducing wrist fatigue.
Designed like all Royal Oak Offshores, the Survivor is meant to be a functional timepiece. With the very purpose of its design to be an extreme watch, it features the fantastic self-winding AP in-house calibre 3126/3840 chronograph movement. Packing 50 hours in power reserve and a bi-directional 22ct gold winding rotor, the Survivor won't let you down when you need it to perform. Let's just hope it's not the end of civilisation as we know it!
Availability and Market
Originally released in 2008, the Survivor quickly became an icon thanks to its unashamedly brash aesthetics and purposeful functionality. With its limited release of 1000 pieces selling out rapidly, the Survivor hasn't been available directly from AP for quite some time, and won't ever be again. Only time will tell if AP will take such creative liberties ever again with a watch like the Survivor, but let's hope they do - its a stunning piece and we love it here at Wristcheck.
Specifications
Watch name: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor
Reference number: 26165IO.OO.A002CA.01
Case size: 42 mm
Thickness: 15.65 mm
Material: Titanium case, black ceramic bezel, blackened titanium screw-locked crown, pushpieces and articulated pushpiece guards
Crystal: Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 100 m
Movement: Calibre 3126 / 3840
Functions: Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, date
Winding: Self-winding / Automatic
Frequency: Hz 21600 vph
Power reserve: 50 hours
Strap: Vulcanized rubber with integrated links and blackened titanium pin buckle
Price: HKD$280,000
Available now on Wristcheck.