Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Baricchello Chronograph

Description

Since 1993, Brazilian champion Rubens Barrichello has been competing successfully on Formula One race tracks. In 2005, the Manufacture chose to associate with this exceptional driver by inviting him to join the brand's team of prestigious ambassadors. In tribute to this sportsman of the extreme, Audemars Piguet has created the Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello chronograph.Elegance and performancesRanked five times among the five first in the world championship, including two vice-championships titles in 2002 and 2004, Ruben Barrichello's track record demonstrates a constant quest for performance and a genuinely daring spirit. These two values are celebrated by the Manufacture Audemars Piguet in all its creations, as in this chronograph featuring a design and a choice of materials inspired by the world of Formula One.Issued in a limited series of 1,650 and interpreted in three versions, this timepiece is part of the Royal Oak Offshore line, designed to face up to even the most extreme conditions. While preserving the spirit of elegance inherent to the legendary octagonal watch, it combines impressive horological performances, outstanding reliability and guaranteed water resistance.Cutting-edge materialsThree versions, three cases crafted from three different materials: the first is in 950 platinum, the second in 18-carat pink gold, while the third is in grade 5 titanium, a stainless, light and extremely resistant metal that the Manufacture has borrowed from motor sport. This material is also characterised by low thermal conductivity, meaning it does not drain heat from the skin, while its excellent chemical stability makes it hypo-allergenic. Due to its mechanical properties, Audemars Piguet has selected ultra-resistant "anti-shock" technical ceramics for the bezel, pushbuttons and crown of this model, representing another major innovation.All these materials require particularly delicate treatment and call upon the know-how of the engineers, technicians and watchmakers of the Manufacture.The world of Formula OneIn harmony with the spirit of the legendary Royal Oak, the octagonal bezel of the Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello chronograph is adorned with eight screws, which in this version resemble engine screws. Also reflecting the Formula One theme, the bezel joint is reminiscent of a ventilated brake disc, the crown looks like a gearing part, while the pushpieces echo the shape of an air extractor.This understatedly elegant chronograph features a dial sporting the "Mga Tapisserie Racing" motif in a range of midnight blue, white or black versions. Partially openworked to reveal the movement, it displays three counters (at 6, 9 and 12 o'clock) and a date window at 3 o'clock. The gold hands and riveted hour-markers are luminescent.Ultimate touches of refinementFitted with an AP folding clasp, the strap of the Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello is crafted in "anfibio" leather with double reinforced stitching and alcantara lining, in a colour matching that of the dial: black with grey stitching for the titanium version, and black with stitching in a matching shade for the pink gold version. Meanwhile, the platinum model is teamed with a crocodile leather strap in a midnight blue colour highlighted by its blue stitching.In a final nod to the world of Formula 1, the case-back, which resembles a three-dimensional medallion, depicts the wheel of a racing car with a central part bearing the personal logo of Rubens Barrichello.This highly refined watch comes in a dedicated presentation box.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSReferences 26078RO.OO.D001VS.0118-carat pink gold case, white dial, black counters, black leather strapLimited series of 500 26078IO.OO.D001VS.01Grade 5 titanium case, black dial, silvered counters, black leather strapLimited series of 1'00026078PO.OO.D018CR.01950 platinum case, blue dial, silvered counters, blue crocodile leather strapLimited series of 150MovementCalibre: 2326/2840, selfwindingDiameter: 26 mm (111/2 lignes)Thickness: 6.15 mm54 jewels370 partsUp to 38-hour power reserveCadence of the balance: 28,800 vibrations per hourFinishing: all parts decorated by hand; mainplate rhodium-plated, bevelled and circular-grained; bridges adorned with decorative "Côtes de Genve" motifCase18-carat pink gold, grade 5 titanium or 950 platinumDiameter: 42 mmCeramic bezel and push-buttons3D wheel-shaped medallion bearing the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Limited Edition Rubens Barrichello and adorned with the Rubens Barrichello logo.Water resistance: 100 mDialsWhite, black or midnight blue adorned with the Mga Tapisserie Racing motif and partly openworked Luminescent gold hands and riveted hour-markersIn the titanium version: counter hands in the colours of the Brazilian flag (green, yellow and blue)Strap"Anfibio" leather for the titanium and pink gold versions, crocodile leather with large square scales for the platinum version, double reinforced stitching and alcantara lining.Exclusive AP folding claspFunctionsHours and minutesSmall secondsChronograph with sweep seconds hand, 30-minute and 12-hour countersTachometric ringDateChronographe Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Baricchello Depuis 1993, le champion brsilien Rubens Barrichello volue avec succs sur les circuits de Formule 1. En 2005, la Manufacture s'associe ce pilote hors du commun, qui rejoint le team des prestigieux ambassadeurs de la marque. En l'honneur de ce sportif de l'extrême, Audemars Piguet cre le chronographe Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello.Elgance et performancesSe classant cinq reprises parmi les cinq premiers du championnat du monde, avec deux titres de vice champion en 2002 et en 2004 : le palmars de Rubens Barrichello illustre une constante quête de la performance et un vritable esprit d'audace. Deux valeurs que clbre la Manufacture Audemars Piguet dans toutes ses crations, comme avec ce chronographe qui s'inspire de l'univers de la Formule 1, tant dans son design que dans le choix de ses matriaux.Edit en srie limite de 1,650 pices et dclin en trois versions, ce garde-temps s'inscrit dans la ligne Royal Oak Offshore, conçue pour affronter les conditions les plus extrêmes. Tout en conservant l'esprit d'lgance de la lgendaire montre octogonale, il associe performances horlogres, fiabilit et tanchit.Des matriaux de pointeTrois versions, trois boîtiers conçus dans trois matriaux diffrents : le premier est en platine 950, le deuxime en or rose 18 carats, tandis que le troisime est en titane grade 5, mtal inoxydable, lger et extrêmement rsistant que la Manufacture emprunte la comptition automobile. Ce matriau possde galement une trs faible conductivit thermique – il ne draine pas la chaleur de la peau – et sa grande stabilit chimique permet de le considrer comme hypoallergnique.Autre innovation, Audemars Piguet a slectionn, en raison de ses proprits mcaniques, une cramique technique ultra rsistante et anti-choc pour la fabrication de la lunette, des poussoirs et de la couronne de ce modle.Autant de matriaux qui ncessitent des traitements particulirement dlicats, et requirent tout le savoir-faire des ingnieurs, techniciens et horlogers de la Manufacture.L'univers de la Formule 1Fidle l'esprit de la lgendaire Royal Oak, la lunette octogonale du chronographe Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello est orne de huit vis, qui, pour cette version, sont semblables des vis de moteur. Continuant s'inspirer de l'univers de la Formule 1, le joint de lunette rappelle un disque de frein ventil, la couronne voque une pice d'engrenage tandis que les poussoirs reprennent la forme d'un extracteur d'air.D'une lgance sobre, ce chronographe arbore un cadran orn du motif Mga Tapisserie Racing qu'il dcline, selon les versions, en bleu nuit, blanc ou noir. Partiellement ajour pour laisser apparaître le mouvement de la montre, il comporte trois compteurs ( 6, 9 et 12 heures) et un guichet de quantime ( 3 heures). […]

Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.