Audemars Piguet are world renowned for their impeccable skill in watchmaking, and employ a healthy balance of shimmering aesthetics with scarily good watch mechanics. In this weeks Time Journal watch review, we focus on the immensely popular Royal Oak Offshore ‘Queen Elizabeth II Cup 2016’. Just like it’s namesake, the watch pays tribute to the Queen Elizabeth II horse racing event, which takes places annually in Hong Kong is sponsored by Audemars Piguet since 1999. The watch is limited to just 200 pieces worldwide, and is a truly spectacular timepiece has has now been discontinued.

The first place to start has to be the sumptuous aesthetics of this timepiece. This stylish chronograph is a true thoroughbred, with emphasis on the beautiful 18K rose gold bezel and a case made of forged carbon. Not only the bezel, but the links and pushpiece guards are also crafted in 18K rose gold, giving a modern contemporary twist to a classic.

The 44mm forged carbon case undoubtedly features glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback display. The caseback is just as beautiful as the front, with a 18K rose gold ring engraved with the legend “QE II CUP 2016 LIMITED EDITION”. The watch also features black ceramic screw-locked down and pushpieces.

Audemars Piguet have been producing world renowned calibre movements right from the beginning in 1875, and continue to skilfully interpret the subtle balance between technical innovation and tradition watchmaking. The watch houses the impeccable calibre 3126/3840 manufacture an automatic self-winding movement powered by the natural movement of your arm. The movement powers the chronograph function along with hours, minutes, small seconds and date. The watch has a power reserve of 50 hours.

One of the best aspects of this watch (for me anyway) is the black dial with the “mega Tapisserie” pattern. The dial features black counters, pink gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating with a black inner bezel. The watch is completed with a black rubber strap with a 18K rose gold pin buckle.

The watch features stunning looks with incredible watch mechanics – what more is there to it? Well I truly believe that watch has a third element to it, and it starts with two words – Limited Edition. You may underestimate the power of limited edition timepieces, but some of the very best watch collectors on the planet value limited edition pieces as the single most important factor when buying a watch. The watch has been discontinued meaning production has stopped on this piece, meaning this piece is officially rare. Chances are, you won’t find anyone with this timepiece on their wrist whilst you’re out and about – and I think this adds value to the piece.

There is also an up side in the resale value of this watch. If you were to purchase this timepiece and 5 – 10 years down the line you were to sell it on, chances are that you would make a nice tidy profit, simply because the watch is limited and will always be in demand.

Images by Time Journal.