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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Audemars Piguet Ref. 25721ST Royal Oak Offshore "The Beast"

Partially verified

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore reference 25721ST, nicknamed 'The Beast', is a stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch dated to 2000. It features a 42mm case with an octagonal brushed steel bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, framing a tapisserie dial that has aged to a brown tropical hue. The dial incorporates three subsidiary chronograph registers, luminous hands, and a magnified date display at 3 o'clock. The watch is powered by the automatic calibre 2126/2840 with 51 jewels and is fitted to an integrated stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet.

Front view of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 25721ST showing dial, bezel, and upper bracelet links
Front view of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 25721ST showing dial, bezel, and upper bracelet links — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Audemars Piguet
Reference
25721ST
Catalogue / lot identifier
35
Source-reported date
2000
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
494'380

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Model Context

This Audemars Piguet wristwatch is catalogued under reference number 25721ST and case number 494'380, identified with the model name Royal Oak Offshore "The Beast". The auction cataloguing dates the piece to 2000 and describes it as an "E Series" version.

The cataloguing essay notes that reference 25721ST was originally introduced in 1993 at Basel after design work led by Emmanuel Gueit, establishing the 42mm Royal Oak Offshore line.

Evidence for this section
  • “Reference No 25721ST Case No 494'380 Model Name Royal Oak Offshore "The Beast"”
  • “The present "E Series" version features a beautiful dial that has turned brown over the years.”
  • “Gueit and his team worked on a prototype and subsequently presented the final product, reference 25721ST, in 1993 at Basel.”

Case Construction and Exterior Components

The watch is constructed in stainless steel with a stated diameter of 42mm. Direct observation of the front shows an octagonal brushed steel bezel secured with eight recessed hexagonal screws, as well as dark rubber-clad chronograph pushers and a winding crown.

The case is paired with an integrated stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet fitted with a stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp, listed with a maximum length of 185mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Material Stainless steel”
  • “Dimensions 42mm Diameter”
  • “Octagonal brushed steel bezel secured with eight recessed hexagonal screws.”
  • “Dark rubber-clad chronograph pushers and winding crown.”
  • “Bracelet/Strap Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp”

Dial Presentation and Ageing

The dial displays a waffle-pattern tapisserie surface that visual observations show has developed an aged brown tropical patina. A magnified circular date aperture is visible at the 3 o'clock position, accompanied by three chronograph subsidiary registers.

The auction cataloguing characterizes this dial as a "tropical" dial that has turned brown over time, praising the color shift as an even and saturated brown tone.

Evidence for this section
  • “Waffle-pattern tapisserie dial showing an aged brown tropical patina.”
  • “Magnified circular date display located at the 3 o'clock position.”
  • “A rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "tropical" dial, bracelet and guarantee”
  • “This "tropical" effect is completely astonishing, and the brown tone is incredibly saturated and even.”

Open research questions

  • What specific retailer and exact point of sale are listed on the accompanying Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin dated 2000?
  • What specific markings and serial engravings appear on the case back, which is not depicted in the single front photograph?
  • What are the physical condition and material state of the rubber cladding on the pushers and crown?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Audemars Piguet Ref. 25721ST Royal Oak Offshore "The Beast"
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference25721ST“Reference No 25721ST”
Case Number494'380“Case No 494'380”
Movement NumberE39531 and 2260“Movement No E39531 and 2260”
CalibreAutomatic, cal. 2126/2840, 51 jewels“Calibre Automatic, cal. 2126/2840, 51 jewels”
Case MaterialStainless steel“Material Stainless steel”
Dimensions42mm Diameter“Dimensions 42mm Diameter”
Bracelet Maximum Length185mm“max length 185mm”
Clasp TypeStainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp“Clasp/Buckle Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp”
SignaturesCase, dial, movement and bracelet signed“Signed Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed”
Accompanying DocumentationAudemars Piguet Certificate of Origin dated 2000“Accompanied by Audemars Piguet Certificate of Origin dated 2000.”

Visible details

  • Waffle-pattern tapisserie dial showing an aged brown tropical patina.
  • Integrated stainless steel bracelet with characteristic link construction.
  • Dark rubber-clad chronograph pushers and winding crown.
  • Octagonal brushed steel bezel secured with eight recessed hexagonal screws.
  • Magnified circular date display located at the 3 o'clock position.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back are not visible in the supplied photograph; details rely on auction house documentation.
  • Certificate of origin mentioned in documentation is not visible in the provided image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Audemars Piguet The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2ae5237e19

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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