With a surprise move nearly as disruptive as the “original” one of 1972, at the 1993 Basel Watch Fair, Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak Offshore reference 25721 as a reinvented extension of the brand’s classic Royal Oak. Impressive in its size, the watch designed by Emmanuel Gueit measures a whopping 42mm diameter, stemming its rightful nickname “The Beast”. Radical and contemporary in style, the watch gained popularity amongst the young generation and was famously worn on the wrist of Italy’s beloved athlete and alpine skiing legend, Alberto Tomba. The launch of reference 25721 marked the beginning of over-sized trend for sports watches.

Exuding a cool and masculine charm, “The Beast” was fitted with an ashen grey tapisserie dial with rugged blue accents. It normally features an engraved caseback featuring the “AP” symbol followed by the “Royal Oak Offshore” designation. The present example, however, is part of the restricted “No Logo” series. The first 100 examples produced feature a “tentative” engraving: the “AP” logo is missing (hence the nickname) together with the “Offshore” designation - leaving only the “Royal Oak” engraving as found on non-Offshore pieces. Another more subtle difference with what is normally found on this reference is that the “Automatic” designation to the caseback, rather than being boldly stamped, in this instance features a much more subtle font.

Preserved in an overall excellent condition, the present piece boosts the importance of the first Royal Oak Offshore reference with its incredibly rare “No Logo” configuration.