For us (and probably for many others), the Royal Oak is the most iconic model from Audemars Piguet, and the reasons for this are countless. Beginning its journey in the 70s, thanks to the deft touch of Gérald Genta, this series has undergone numerous iterations, but a few things have never changed – the octagonal case, the “waffle” dial, the design of the lugs, etc. However, unlike most other brands that exploit the success of their iconic models by largely adhering to the original design, AP allows itself to go in a different direction. And thanks to this boldness, we have the opportunity to enjoy all sorts of interpretations of colors, sizes, materials, and names...
The model presented today, however, is probably the most special, as it not only differs from everything offered by AP up to that point, but the brand has not released such a bold design since. Created at the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008, it seems as if it was intended for the apocalypse predicted by many, following the collapse of the financial system around the world. And to manage to survive in such an environment, AP of course has a proposition – the Survivor, but since we are talking about an exclusive offer, the series was produced in a short run of 1000 pieces – available only to truly discerning gentlemen 😉
Its size is 42 mm – which is a much more comfortable option than the 48 mm of the Terminator, and its appearance simply screams – “I am ready to accompany you through any hardship”! It is not for nothing that most articles and reviews about this model say it looks as if it was taken from the props of “Mad Max” – and here I cannot help but agree. The chronograph pusher guards are executed in the design of a hand grenade, the crown is an exact copy of parts of the barrel of a Barrett .50 cal sniper rifle; the unique strap (fitted exclusively to this model) has the design of a heavy machine gun belt, the texture of the ceramic bezel (again, exclusive to the model) echoes the cooling fins of a Barrett, and looking closely at the sub-dial at “12 o’clock” allows you to imagine exactly what a professional sees while aiming through its optical sight. And last but not least, we must draw your attention to the drilled lugs – the design is borrowed from the famed Heckler & Koch 416. Never again did AP allow themselves such boldness in the design of their models, and for this reason, this one will forever remain unique, and for that reason, sought-after and valuable!
As most of you probably know, in the first versions of its Offshore chronographs, AP used caliber 2226/2840, and this was the case up to and including 2007, when this cult movement was replaced by the new in-house 3126/3840 – a modular chronograph based on the 3120 with a Dubois Depraz chronograph module – operating at the usual AP frequency of 21,600 vibrations, with 365 parts, 59 jewels, over 50 hours of power reserve, and to emphasize the noble origin of the movement, the balance is crafted from 22-karat gold – this model is in fact one of the first to receive this very movement.
This is one of the brand's models that will certainly continue to increase in value, and today's offer is one of the last opportunities to acquire a wonderful example at a reasonable price.
