The combination of materials and exceptional level of finishing of the Royal Oak Offshore testifies to the consistent attention lavished on each and every detail. The sheer sophistication of its design makes this watch a showcase of an impressive range of technical know-how. For the very first time in an Audemars Piguet watch, the case middle and bezel are made entirely from black ceramics. The true feat here does not lie in the use of ceramics, since watchmaking has shown an interest in this material for a certain time already, but instead in its level of finishing. In this case a diamond grinding-wheel removes tiny layers of material from the ceramics in order to achieve the same level of detail as on steel, while the process involves a number of different operations that are far more delicate and far more time-consuming. Thus the ceramic case appears to glow in a variety of light conditions and gives off a shimmering high-tech glow. The vertical satin-brushed surface of the case middle creates an attractive contrast with a beadblasted finish applied to its recessed upper and lower sections at 6 and 12 o’clock, generating a depth effect that makes the lugs stand out even more distinctly. The upper surface of the bezel is vertical satin-brushed, while the bevelled sides are polished and shiny. The contrast between black and anthracite is further enhanced by the use of beadblasted titanium, chosen for the screws that punctuate the octagonal bezel, the pushpiece-guards, the two applied inserts on the left side of the case, the back of the watch, as well as the pin buckle of the strap. To add the perfect finishing touch to the range of materials, the applied numerals, as well as the hour-markers at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock are crafted in vertical diamond-polished pink gold; the gold of the pushpieces is adorned with a non-slip gridwork motif echoing the geometrical “Tapisserie” pattern that is a signature feature of Royal Oak Offshore dials. The decorative disc adorning the crown is also in pink gold. Finally, the pushpiece-guards are composed of a rubbermoulded part, to which an additional beadblasted titanium element is secured by a visible screw. Like other Royal Oak Offshore models, the case is embellished on the left-hand side withinserts accentuating its sporting appearance, while the anthracite aramid fibre strap adds a further technical touch to this rugged timepiece. The mechanical movement inside features an equally exceptional level of expertise, and the hand-assembled, finely decorated self-winding movement is equipped with an ultra-efficient chronograph mechanism that measures short times where speed and power are of the essence.