Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2012 – Made from Steel, Not Unobtainium

Audemars Piguet have created a new Royal Oak Offshore model to honor their role of official timekeeper for the Tour Auto Vintage Car Rally – and it looks superb in the National colours of France where the event is held each year.

Only 150 pieces will be made – limited, yes – but not unattainable, unlike some previous special editions which use ceramic/carbon fibre/titanium/platinum/cermet (ceramic + metal)/gold….. this one is made from good ol’ steel, brushed to remove the shine, apart from on the bezel edges which remain polished.

A few details set Offshore models apart – this one has poke-out pushers, not the flat “F1″ inspired types, this one has numerals, not markers, this one is understated ( – can an Offshore be thus described?) and not showy like perhaps the Grand Prix Collection pieces are.

Inside the Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2012 is the self-winding Calibre 3126/3840 with a power reserve of 60 hours.  The case is 42mm across ( but will still wear big) and the piece comes presented on a rather dapper gnarly blue horn back alligator strap.