Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 2011 Reference No: 26378IO Case No: H15036 Model Name: Royal Oak Offshore Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy Chronograph Material: 18K pink gold, Titanium and ceramic Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2326/2840, 50 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Audemars Piguet textile strap Clasp/Buckle: Titanium Audemars Piguet pin buckle Dimensions: 48mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1972, the Royal Oak was the world’s first stainless steel luxury sports watch with a fully integrated bracelet. Designed overnight in response to an urgent request for an ‘unprecedented steel watch’, it was at the same time the most expensive stainless steel watch ever made. In 1992 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak model, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Offshore line. The brand sought to update the iconic Royal Oak with a sporty, more masculine aesthetic. The new Offshore featured a chronograph and calendar mechanism, along with a prominent rubber gasket sandwiched between the bezel and case, and therban – a type of rubber - coated chronograph pushers and screw down crown.
The famed actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has long been associated Audemars Piguet since he wore a Royal Oak Offshore black and yellow prototype model in the 1999 thriller “End of Days”, which was sold by Phillips Watches in New York in June 2022. The brand launched a limited edition model of 500 “End of Days” timepieces in 1999 in honour of this collaboration. In 2011, Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak Offshore “The Legacy” in an oversized 48mm diameter case made from black ceramic and titanium with pink gold accents. The dial featured the trademark 'Méga Tapisserie' pattern and was set with pink gold numerals and hands. The case back was engraved “Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy”, and the model was originally sold to raise funds for Schwarzenegger’s charitable foundation “After School All-Stars”.
The present model is number 139 of 1500 examples and offered in excellent overall condition.
A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.
Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.
Ref. 26378IO A rare and oversized limited edition pink gold, titanium and ceramic chronograph wristwatch with date and presentation box, number 139 of 1500 pieces made in collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Circa 2011 48mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.
