Royal Oak Offshore versus Daytona

[AJF]

Anyone got any thoughts on the AP Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph?

I notice that they are really pushing the watch in sports promotions, particularly amongst PGA Tour golfers.

How does the watch stack up against the Rolex Daytona? The price tag for the Offshore Chronographs are £12,000 for the steel and rubber strap version.

What is the movement like in comparison to the Daytona?

Any views would be much appreciated?

AJF.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by AJF

Anyone got any thoughts on the AP Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph?

I notice that they are really pushing the watch in sports promotions, particularly amongst PGA Tour golfers.

How does the watch stack up against the Rolex Daytona? The price tag for the Offshore Chronographs are £12,000 for the steel and rubber strap version.

What is the movement like in comparison to the Daytona?

Any views would be much appreciated?

AJF.

My personal opinion is that there are a number of great chrono movements and the AP movement (especially the new ones in the ROOS) is one of them. I count VC, Lange and the Zenith El Primero among the others.

I'd love to get a Navy or a Safari. AP has developed an irritating tendency to make numerous limited edition ROOS that are basically impossible to get from their boutiques and ADs though. The bracelet models are rare in comparison to the strap models (rubber or leather).

I had a bracelet model for awhile. I will say that compared to a Daytona and the VC is wasn't as comfortable. They do look awesome though and are much rarer in the wild than the Rolex Daytona.

[topcat30093]

I have a friend who is passionate about this watch, but in precious metal.
But everytime I look at it, I can't see what he see's in it. Sorry to be so negative Aly.
I don't know anything about the movement, but for me the Daytona appears to be a better buy when it comes down to pricing.
Though at least the ROO has got the date.

[leopardprey]

Both are great watches, but the ROO will cost all most double that of a Daytona. The Daytona has a inhouse movement, where as the ROO is a combination of a Piguet Chrono and a JLC 889 auto.

Personally if price was not an option, I would take a ROO in Titanium over the Daytona, just due to size and design preferences.

[AJF]

I saw one in the wild yesterday, just curious as to it's status amongst the WIS community. I was a little taken aback by the cost £12k for a steel and rubber watch.

I guess one reason for the cost is the limited numbers according to Wiki they only produce 1600 watches a year, whereas Rolex is near 2,000 per day.

AJF.

[unknown]

Originally Posted by AJF

I saw one in the wild yesterday, just curious as to it's status amongst the WIS community. I was a little taken aback by the cost £12k for a steel and rubber watch.

I guess one reason for the cost is the limited numbers according to Wiki they only produce 1600 watches a year, whereas Rolex is near 2,000 per day.

AJF.

1600 ?
I can't remember the correct number but it's imo between 25000 and 30000 per year

Around 50% are ROO and RO

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by unknown

1600 ?
I can't remember the correct number but it's imo between 25000 and 30000 per year

Around 50% are ROO and RO

Yep, this is the ball park number. Some of the AP purists seem to get a bit ticked off about the focus on ROOs. I mean in a word association drill among WIS types, "AP" would yield "ROO" about 95% of the time. You run with what's hot I guess, but it doesn't bode well for AP if these where to fall from favor. Fortunately, there appears to be no end in sight and the "basic" SS on a leather or rubber strap that gets a commemorative or LE dial sells out fast and seems to double in price in the GM very quickly.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Both are great watches, but the ROO will cost all most double that of a Daytona. The Daytona has a inhouse movement, where as the ROO is a combination of a Piguet Chrono and a JLC 889 auto.

Personally if price was not an option, I would take a ROO in Titanium over the Daytona, just due to size and design preferences.

For the past few years AP has begun using in-house movments, calibre 3126/3840 in the ROO, not that there is anything inherently bad with modifying the great chrono movements of others. Only significant difference as I recall reading is a longer power reserve but for those hung up on in-house or not....

[leopardprey]

Bighat is correct, Ap came out with their own in-house movement last year for their ROO Chronos, but many that you find at the ADs will still have the older movement. Personally I like the older movement, as it is proven.

There is a great review of the ROO and the combined JLC/PGT movement in the December 2007 issue of Watchtime magazine.

HEre is also a good link to a mini review:
http://timetapestry.blogspot.com/200...er-engine.html

The ROOs are nice, but they are exepensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personally if I was in that price range, I would get a Vacheron Overseas Chronograph.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Personally if I was in that price range, I would get a Vacheron Overseas Chronograph.

Another great chrono and having just seen pics of the gold model on a leather strap I'd opt for that over a gold or gold/rubber clad ROO in a heartbeat.

You know, on price the SS VC OS, isn't all that much higher than the GM Daytonas. Aside from a non-hacking seconds feature on setting (meaningless to me) it's great. It has a date feature and the bracelet if super. Worth looking at too.

[jaeger]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Both are great watches, but the ROO will cost all most double that of a Daytona. The Daytona has a inhouse movement, where as the ROO is a combination of a Piguet Chrono and a JLC 889 auto.

Personally if price was not an option, I would take a ROO in Titanium over the Daytona, just due to size and design preferences.

The Offshore chrono's movement is, as mentioned, a JLC ebauche, while the chronograph function comes from an attached Dubois Depraz chronograph module.

[Jedi]

It should be noted that the AP/JLC relationship is one of the oldest and most traditional in the watch industry.