Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 77151

This stainless steel Royal Oak Offshore is a rare and playful take on Gérald Genta’s legendary sport watch. Introduced in 1997, this 30mm reference 77151ST is part of a limited series of smaller-sized Offshore models aimed at a broader audience — including women — following the mixed reception of the original Offshore’s launch in 1993.

That first Offshore was bold and unconventional, designed by Emmanuel Gueit to mark the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak. At 42mm, its oversized dimensions and muscular profile earned it nicknames like “The Beast.” Genta himself reportedly disliked it. Gueit described his goal as making a watch “so big no woman would want to wear it” — a statement made ironic by the release, just a few years later, of these more compact and colorful versions.

The dial on this watch, in vivid orange, exemplifies what collectors prize in the Royal Oak — its intricate Petite Tapisserie pattern. Crafted using a centuries-old guilloché technique, each dial takes between 20 and 50 minutes to engrave, depending on size, with extreme precision required to avoid imperfections. The application of this detail to a small case size is both unusual and impressive. The white gold AP logo is applied at 12 o’clock, complemented by Tritium lume-filled hour markers and a date aperture at 3.

This particular example is presented on an original green AP leather strap with steel deployant clasp, matching the clasp mechanism seen on larger Offshores. Though small by modern standards, this watch wears beautifully, especially for collectors seeking a refined, summer-friendly version of the Offshore. It was produced in extremely limited quantities — only 241 examples across all dial colors (orange, purple, green, brown, blue), with 85% made in stainless steel and a small number in precious metals.