Audemars Piguet - Michael Schumacher's Adrenalin Rush
"I'm proud of 'my' watch," Michael Schumacher told me in a one-to-one interview on Wednesday evening at the German capital city's trendy venue Kraftwerk.
The collaboration between the Le Brassus-based watchmaker and the German racing legend at home in Switzerland,
first presented during the Race of Champions in Dusseldorf in November 2010, has now been consummated with the introduction of his own new Offshore limited edition, making a joint future between the two official.
The seven-time world champion and most successful F1 driver in history looked patient, expectant, and even at times excited on Wednesday evening in Berlin as he confidently discussed his future and collaboration with Audemars Piguet.
A promising collaboration
This promising ambassadorship kicks off with a set of limited edition Royal Oak Offshores that at first glance seem to differ little from others that have come before them. Two major differences distinguish them, however: Schumacher's own input on the design and the use of cermet bezels.
" designed this Royal Oak Offshore in terms of colors, details and so on. I had full freedom. Together, we sort of found a way that we enjoyed," Schumacher explained.
Audemars Piguet's marketing director Tim Sayler explained that this limited edition also represents the brand's homage to a racing legend, making it a "racing watch par excellence." Schumacher, however, said that he would never wear a watch while racing and related that F1 driver Jean Alesi once broke his wrist while driving because he was wearing a watch.
High-speed symbols
This limited edition contains symbols integrated into the design of the powerful 44 mm case available in titanium (1,000 pieces), 18-karat red gold (500 pieces) and platinum (100 pieces) that remain tasteful. The anthracite-colored dial boasting the Mega Tapisserie guilloche typical of this line is framed by a tachymeter scale with something no other watch has: between 12 and 1 o'clock there are two blue and five red stars symbolizing Schumacher's seven world championships. Two of these stars represent the winning years as a driver for Benetton Racing (1994 and 1995) and five with Ferrari (2000-2004). The minute scale's black-and-white pattern stands for racing's checkered flag while the galvanic colors of the chronograph totalizers' raised outlines look subtly like instruments of a race car's dashboard. The date has been given red numerals, a premier for the Royal Oak Offshore line, though the overall design of the date display and the chunky crown and button protector had mixed reviews from specialist journalists and tastemakers present at the launch.
Outstanding is the fact that the striking octagonal bezel of this Royal Oak edition has been crafted in cermet, a ceramic/metal composite seven times harder than steel. Its look is enhanced and protected by eight screws that depart from the usual Royal Oak examples with their extremely sport style.
The engine
These cool chronographs are powered by Audemars Piguet Caliber 3126/3840, an automatic modular chronograph, which is naturally visible through the case back reminiscent of a wheel rim given Schumacher's predilection for mechanics. The 22-karat gold rotor dominates this look, galvanized to take on an anthracite color and decorated with the addition of Schumacher's monogram in relief.
"I'm proud, really proud because I'm a longtime fan," Schumacher, a watch collector with a true penchant for AP's offerings, reiterates as we talk. And I'm suddenly sure that he's not the only member of this collaboration feeling a sense of pride. My guess is that the technicians and watchmakers in the Vallee de Joux are equally as thrilled by this meeting of two legendary personalities.
Rated 
In stock
[Rating:(5 / 5 stars)]
Sale Price:US$279.00
Sale Price:US$259.00
Sale Price:US$239.00
Sale Price:US$298.00
Sale Price:US$268.00
Sale Price:US$288.00
Sale Price:US$279.00
Sale Price:US$298.00
Sale Price:US$239.00
Sale Price:US$278.00
Sale Price:US$248.00
Sale Price:US$239.00
Sale Price:US$279.00
Sale Price:US$239.00
Sale Price:US$259.00
Sale Price:US$289.00
