Did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger, a well-known Hollywood actor famous for his role as the Terminator, the 38th Governor of California, and a former bodybuilding championship, once collaborated with the legendary Swiss watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet?
We are used to watch manufacturers collaborating with famous personalities for their advertising and promotional campaigns. We see this more elegantly among sports-watch manufacturers due to the category's popularity. Today, Audemars Piguet is mostly associated with the Royal Oak family, but, up until a few years ago, the Royal Oak Offshore series also had a reputation and appeal that aimed the top among sports watches. Audemars Piguet's collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger predates the glory days of Royal Oak Offshore. We go back to the 90s and 00s with retrospective research.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the Royal Oak Offshore "End of Days" model, introduced in 1999, is one of the most striking ROOs ever made. The yellow details on the model, which had a 42mm diameter black-coated steel case, offer a unique color theme for those years. I am sure the most significant detail that made the model famous is the double-layer Kevlar/fabric. As the name suggests, that watch was designed for Arnold to use in the movie End of Days and was released in a limited edition of 500 pieces.
The T3 model, introduced in 2003, was one of the most remarkable watches in the series. I must admit that the watch with a 48mm diameter titanium case looked big and bold even for someone the size of Arnold, which is where the T3's reputation came from. The watches, which had a unique look thanks to the covers surrounding the chronograph buttons, were produced with two different dial options, silver (limited to 250) and dark gray (limited to 750). In the following years, white gold rose gold versions with diamonds were also added to the series.
Another bold model in the Royal Oak Offshore family, produced in collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger, was called Legacy. Introduced in 2011, the watch was released in a limited edition of 1500 pieces. The 48mm diameter model was also the first all-ceramic case ROO. Legacy, which includes Kevlar and leather strap alternatives in the box, took its place among the boldest ROOs with its large dimensions and pink gold accents.
The 48mm diameter Arnold-exclusive ROOs were not limited to these models. Introduced in 2007, the 350 units limited Arnold's All-Stars and the 19 units limited Governor's Seal versions of the same watch were two of the special pieces of the collection. The watch with a rose gold case and brown dial was dedicated to the After School All-Stars Foundation, founded by Arnold.
In 2003, interestingly, with the same color theme, there was also a 42mm ROO version with a yellow gold case and brown dial, which was produced in a limited edition of 400 pieces. This watch, which also bore the signature of Arnold, was just one of the fruits of ROO's love for limited-edition models that did not end in those years.
The watches produced exclusively for Arnold Schwarzenegger by Audemars Piguet are not limited to the Royal Oak Offshore family. It is possible to come across many more special models such as Jules Audemars Double X 6th Day, Jules Audemars All Stars Perpetual Calendar, or Governor's Dual Time under this series.
I am looking at the End of Days or the Legacy model. Then I take a look at the Marvel Special model from recent collaborations. My choice is clear. What about yours?
