Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 25721ST 1st Series The Beast Steel - One of the First 500 Pieces produced,with Box & Papers
The Royal Oak Offshore Reference 25721ST, known universally as "The Beast," was introduced in 1993 and immediately polarised the watch world. At 42 mm, with a 14 mm case height and an oversized crown protector, it was larger, bolder, and more confrontational than anything Audemars Piguet had ever produced. The nickname was not a compliment when it was first coined. Within a decade, it had become the most imitated design in the industry. This example, with its D46 serial number, belongs to the First Series production and is accompanied by its original box, original sale documentation dated 1997, and original service papers.
The First Series bracelet on this example is one of the most reliable markers of early Offshore production. The double folding clasp was fitted exclusively on the first 500 examples of the 25721ST before being replaced by a single-fold clasp on all subsequent production. Combined with the D-series serial number, it places this watch unambiguously within the founding generation of the Offshore line.
What sets this example apart from other early Beasts is its documentation. The original sale papers confirm the date of first retail sale in 1997, providing a complete and unbroken provenance from the point of purchase. The service papers add a further layer of transparency, documenting the watch's maintenance history. For a collector who wants a First Series Beast with a fully documented life, this is a rare opportunity: most early Offshore examples have lost their paperwork entirely over thirty years of circulation.
Key Specifications
Reference
25721ST
Year
1997
Case
Stainless steel, 42 mm, integrated crown protector
Dial
Blue with applied baton indices
Movement
Automatic, Cal. 2226/2840 (base JLC 889), chronograph, 38-hour power reserve
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Bracelet
First Series stainless steel bracelet with double folding clasp (first 500 examples only)
Serial number
D46XXXXX
Accessories
Original Audemars Piguet box, original sale documentation (1997), original service papers
Collector's Note
Why Buy From Us
Audemars Piguet
25721
1997
Blue
Automatic
42mm
Yes
Royal Oak Offshore
D46XXXXX
Steel
Index
Royal Oak Offshore
Yes










