Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has revealed a new exclusive timepiece, specially crafted for the 3rd edition of the Salon International Haute Relojeria Mexico 2009. Adding to their prestigious collection, the limited edition Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Mexico honors the Bicentennial of the Independence of Mexico. Inspired by the country’s flag with a white Mega Tappisserie dial, olive green numerals and a red pointer for seconds, the exquisite chronograph houses an automatic movement, has a power reserve of 38 hours and is water resistant to 100m. Available in either titanium /steel (200 numbered pieces) or 18 carat pink gold (only 100 pieces) the Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Mexico straps to your wrist with a stylish crocodile black “Hornback” bracelet with green stitching.

What interests me is that this watch is not a limited edition. In fact, it appears as though very few non-limited editions watches come out of the house of Audemars Piguet. This is not the first time forged carbon has been used on a watch for Audemars Piguet, who themselves were not the first watch maker to use carbon as a case material for watches. In fact various military spec watches such as Traser have been using carbon watch cases for years. They aren’t exactly as fancy looking as the complex-t o-make Audemars Piguet forged carbon cases, but they are equally light, and also very strong. What Audemars Piguet has brought to the table is likely their fanatical desire to “make things perfect” – having a carbon case look as though it was milled like metal. The bezel and caseback of the watch are not carbon. The bezel is a brushed and polished ceramic, while the caseback is blackened steel. You have ceramic again used as the strap connector links.

The “non initiated” who aren’t watch enthusiasts won’t be able to appreciate all that goes into this watch as it appears merely “nice.” There are no visual clues that the case is so hard to make in this instance, and you have no idea that inside the watch a brand new Audemars Piguet in-house made caliber 3126/3840 automatic mechanical chronograph movement. The movement even has a solid gold rotor, also hidden from view. Watches like this are meant to impress the owner, and the few people they encounter who are aware of what the watch really is all about. The dial of the watch is Yellow-Jacket chic with the typical “Mega Tapestry” pattern on the dial that most Royal Oak Offshore watches receive. The tachymeter scale on the chapter ring is in yellow with black numerals while the strong looking Arabic hour numerals also enjoy the pleasant yellow hue. The crown and pushers are covered with natural rubber. Last is the sculpted alligator strap with deployment clasp and yellow contrast stitching. C ertainly not love at first site for all watch lovers, but I have a feeling a few of you out there are taken by the bold looks of this watch – especially to match your yellow shoes. Price for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Forged Carbon watch is probably in the $35,000 – $50,000 range.