Start Your Engines: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II Ref. 26078IO

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II (Ref. 26078IO.OO.D001VS.01) may be a limited edition variation of the Offshore, but it is very different than any other Offshore made by AP. Launched in 2006 in collaboration with Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello, The watch was produced in three limited versions. 500 in 18k pink gold, 150 in 950 platinum, and 1000 in the titanium we’re looking at today. This marked the second time the Le Brassus watchmaker collaborated with the Brazilian driver. And from the exposed dial, to the ceramic bezel, it is a bold take on an iconic watch.

History 

Rubens Barrichello, a former Brazilian Formula One driver, had a long and personally successful career in racing. He began in F1 in 1993 with Jordan and later raced for several teams, including Ferrari, Honda, and Williams. Perhaps his most well-known stint was during his time at Ferrari from 2000 to 2005, where he was Michael Schumacher’s teammate. It was during Ferrari’s peak that he secured numerous podium finishes alongside Schumacher. Despite not winning an individual championship, he achieved 11 Grand Prix victories and 68 podiums in his impressive 19-year career. 

Originally designed by Emmanuel Gueit, the Royal Oak Offshore is renowned for its bold and sporty take on the Royal Oak, and the Barrichello II model takes this sportiness and drives up a gear or two. The 44mm titanium case is lightweight yet robust, ensuring comfort on the wrist despite the large and aggressive shape and 14.1mm thickness. The brushed and polished surfaces of the titanium create a striking contrast, while the iconic octagonal black ceramic bezel adds the signature touch we’re all familiar with. The Barrichello II replaces the usual octagonal bezel screws with wheel nut-type screws as a nod to Barrichello’s profession. Rather than the traditional seamless integration, these “nuts” sit inside notches in the bezel, further amplifying the aggressive and sporty design. A ceramic crown and ceramic pushers complete the silhouette. 

Design Details 

The dial features a monochromatic color scheme with small flashes of color on the subdial hands. Eagle-eyed readers may recognize the green, blue, and yellow hands as the colors of the Brazilian flag. The black “Mega Tapisserie” patterned dial features a skeletonized design that gives the wearer a peek under the hood to the Caliber 2326/2840. As also expected, luminous hour baton markers and hands ensure legibility in low-light conditions. At the dial’s periphery sits a white tachymeter scale. I can take it or leave it when it comes to tachymeter scales. For the vast majority of users, they don’t have much real-world use, but, given the nature of this watch, the tachymeter is wholly appropriate and a necessary addition.

Inner Workings 

AP’s in-house Caliber 2326/2840, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement, is at the heart of the Barrichello II. Despite being an attractive movement, AP used a closed case back for the Barrichello II. It features an F1 steering wheel motif, with the same wheel, but screws and notches as on the bezel. While I usually appreciate being able to appreciate a nicely decorated movement with a watch that is not known for svelte slimness, the closed case back allowed AP to reduce the thickness very slightly. With a power reserve of approximately 38 hours, the Caliber 2326/2840 is reliable and precise. 

The Barrichello II uses a 12-6-9 layout, with a 30-minute and 12-hour counter and a date display at 3 o’clock. The chronograph function is as smooth and responsive as expected, making it just as ideal for timing your laps as your dinner in the oven—your choice! The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, which is a bonus for a luxury sports watch, adding to its versatility. It is perfect for the post-race cooldown plunge pool. 

Versus The Competition 

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II is the perfect example of a modern and ultra-sporty chronograph. In terms of alternatives, if you’re looking for a Royal Oak Offshore, there’s not much else that truly compares in terms of visual impact and brand cache. As such, it’s probably best to take a look at other members of the Offshore family. 

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26420SO offers the same bold silhouette with an ever more greyscale color scheme. If the Brazilian colors are not quite your thing, the Royal Oak Offshore 26420SO tones it down even further. In terms of size, it’s slightly smaller in a 43mm case diameter, but it’s also slightly thicker at 14.6mm. 

If you like your Offshore to be a little more “classic” and closer to the original Royal Oak DNA, then it’s worth looking at the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 25721ST (Ref. 25721ST.O.1000ST.01). This model is much closer in looks to the very first Royal Oak Offshore, as envisioned by Emmanual Gueit. The bright blue “Mega Tapisserie” dial is the star of the show here, with contrasting silver subdials and large Arabic numeral hour markers. 

Personality 

As mentioned, the watch is not small by modern standards. 42mm x 14.1mm equates to a lot of watch, but thanks to the titanium construction, it wears comfortably on the wrist. This is infinitely more palatable than the Pink gold and platinum versions. The titanium edition is much more aptly suited to being a daily driver by comparison. There’s no denying that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II is an incredibly sporty watch, but that’s much of the charm of the Royal Oak Offshore family in general. It is an inherently sporty sports watch, and that’s why it has quite such a cult-like following. The Barrichello II is a perfect example of why it is also such a versatile canvas, perfectly combining monochromatic greyscale with subtle flashes of color. 

The original leather strap is very comfortable, enhanced by the Alcantara lining. Of course, Alcantara was developed as a non-slip leather alternative and made famous in the seats of F1 cars — another functional yet carefully considered tie-in. Together with the contrast box stitching, the strap’s perforated leather upper perfectly complements the sporty nature of the watch. It affixes to the case using AP’s signature strap integration, giving a seamless look. 

Final Thoughts 

Purists may suggest that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello II is more than just a timepiece, calling it a celebration of speed, precision, and luxury. While I won’t disagree, I think it’s best to call this what it is: a damn cool watch celebrating one of the longest-serving F1 drivers to date. Most of the Royal Oak Offshore limited editions from the mid-00s offered eye-catching designs, and the Barrichello II remains one of the most iconic, at least to me. Personally, I love the combination of monochromatic titanium and ceramic, with the subtly colored accents on the subdials. While 1000 pieces may not sound like an incredibly limited limited edition, the striking design makes this a coveted piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike, and they don’t crop up on the second-hand market all that often. Whether you’re a motorsport fan or just a fan of fine, modern watchmaking, the Barrichello II is a worthy addition to any collection.

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