The Appeal of Royal Oak Offshore 42mm's

[LAFLARE]

What is going on with the ROO's, in terms of the 42mm's? This is not a flame thread or me bashing on 42's, but in general it seems as if the 42mm is losing its appeal and prices are being driven downwards. Personally, I am still very passionate about certain models, but a lot of the 42mm off shores look almost outdated to me. Does anyone feel this way as well or am I alone here?

Side note: My (very orange) 44 Novelty is on the way and I've been living in this subsection of the forum

[tyler1980]

I like the 42's and actually prefer the size slightly to the 44's. That said, the ceramic bezels and the better chronograph pusher shape on the 44's make them more appealing to me. For a 42mm, i would get a diver.

The 42mm ROO chronographs are still popular but they are boxed in pretty tightly between the divers and 44mm's.

[mspeed76]

when AP first introduced the 44mm offshores they created an arbitrary gap between the two case sizes by bumping up the price and including ceramic bezels on regular production pieces.

And they haven't released anything appealing (IMO) or with a premium bezel in 42mm since the RB2 and Jarno Trulli 7-10 years ago.

New collectors probably never even heard about those models and associate 42mm with the lower end of the offshore range.

[lapince]

IMHO I have the best ROO 42, the ceramic diver, love the TI 44, but having thought it through I don't think I will get it, I think the 42 size is better for me.
And yes I must say that apart the ce diver, I don't love any other 42 really, ok love the Trulli and RB2, but between them and the ce diver, would still choose the diver I think

[2nastie]

The 42 case size has turned more into Diver's category for AP.

Plus it doesn't really seem like they have much variety with the chronos on the 42 line. Most novelties are all in the 44 range.

This seems more like AP's decision vs. the desire of the market. If you offer a similar watch at a larger size, the market seems to forget about the "smaller" version and purchase the larger model.

[jem7v]

I think if they brought back the black themes I'd buy a 42mm. Or the CE diver. The 42mm size is definitely better for my wrist. But I tolerate the 44mm because it's far better looking. But if tomorrow AP brought back the black themes, I'd buy one. I want an all steel ROO on that alligator horseback strap.

[bluebeamer]

Originally Posted by jem7v

I think if they brought back the black themes I'd buy a 42mm. Or the CE diver. The 42mm size is definitely better for my wrist. But I tolerate the 44mm because it's far better looking. But if tomorrow AP brought back the black themes, I'd buy one. I want an all steel ROO on that alligator horseback strap.

the 2014 novelty is essentially black themes with red highlights. why don't you consider it?

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/wa....OO.A101CR.01/

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by bluebeamer

the 2014 novelty is essentially black themes with red highlights. why don't you consider it?

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/wa....OO.A101CR.01/

for me its too much red. I prefer the black/white color palette. I picked a black diver over the 42mm chronograph because of that. Really the only two being considered at the time were the elephant and the black diver.

I still think the elephant is the best 42mm ROO chronograph but I'm not really sure why i never ended up with one. It always seemed to be the second choice in almost every head to head i have done.

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by bluebeamer

the 2014 novelty is essentially black themes with red highlights. why don't you consider it?

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/wa....OO.A101CR.01/

the red highlights ruin it. takes away the versatility

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by jem7v

the red highlights ruin it. takes away the versatility

I quite like it...though, to be fair, not enough to buy it!

[benlee]

The problem is the design. Chronos ROO 42mm as a category are relatively plainer looking and a neither here nor there positioning in the market. For those wanting an entry level ROO a diver is a better proposition. For those willing to oay more will go for the 44mm that have the advantage of ceramic bezel and an even sportier look. If well designed like the RBs and Ginza it should improve demand.

[DeeTee]

Originally Posted by benlee

The problem is the design. Chronos ROO 42mm as a category are relatively plainer looking and a neither here nor there positioning in the market. For those wanting an entry level ROO a diver is a better proposition. For those willing to oay more will go for the 44mm that have the advantage of ceramic bezel and an even sportier look. If well designed like the RBs and Ginza it should improve demand.

Agreed 100%

[LAFLARE]

I'd like to point my finger at the hour markers as one of the reasons that it looks outdated. Something about the shape of those numbers...

That is a very good point that was brought up about the divers. I initially never payed much attention to them but they do present themselves much more aesthetically pleasing than the other models.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by LAFLARE

I'd like to point my finger at the hour markers as one of the reasons that it looks outdated. Something about the shape of those numbers...

That is a very good point that was brought up about the divers. I initially never payed much attention to them but they do present themselves much more aesthetically pleasing than the other models.

I had the rose gold rubber clad but as soon as I got my platinum 44 I felt the numbers marking the hours looked dated so I felt it was time to sell.


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[LAFLARE]

Does anyone have any opinions of how well either the RG chronos or 44's hold their value?

[GB-man]

I feel the 44 fits better than the 42. I frankly wish there were all a bit smaller but I digress.


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[HK Islandboy]

I like the 42s a lot and like the current black and red, blue and orange (and the Pt, of course!!!!) - but not enough to actually buy any of them. That having been said, the more I wear my ROO Panda, the more impressed by it I am. The only downside is that more wear does mean that the bezel looks less than perfect now.

[Audguy]

the 42 panda and safari are the best of the 42's i think the watches are very different the 42 is more of a daily watch

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by Audguy

the 42 panda and safari are the best of the 42's i think the watches are very different the 42 is more of a daily watch

Agreed. I like the Panda a lot...also the CE Diver.

Not in my collection, but 42s I'd seriously consider owning include a number of the LEs (gentlemen driver, Rubens barrichello stand out, but aren't alone)




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[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Audguy

the 42 panda and safari are the best of the 42's i think the watches are very different the 42 is more of a daily watch

I agree. The 42 panda is a great daily watch. 44 is too big for me as a daily.


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[yoast]

I think the entire 42mm line is outdated and the 44s are too big. Best thing would be to morph the 44s into 42 and phase out the 44mm line imo.
Many people I talk to that owned a 44 have all sold them when the honeymoon is over, because of the size.

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by yoast

I think the entire 42mm line is outdated and the 44s are too big. Best thing would be to morph the 44s into 42 and phase out the 44mm line imo.
Many people I talk to that owned a 44 have all sold them when the honeymoon is over, because of the size.

I agree with this. I'd prefer a 42mm.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by jem7v

I agree with this. I'd prefer a 42mm.

Let me me know if you feel the need to dump your RG

[HL65]

Originally Posted by yoast

I think the entire 42mm line is outdated and the 44s are too big. Best thing would be to morph the 44s into 42 and phase out the 44mm line imo.
Many people I talk to that owned a 44 have all sold them when the honeymoon is over, because of the size.

And many haven’t because we have bigger wrists and it wears perfectly.

And also want a bigger fun watch to wear on weekends. I love all sizes myself from 39-44 and each has it’s place for me in my collection.

[Superburrito]

Originally Posted by yoast

I think the entire 42mm line is outdated and the 44s are too big. Best thing would be to morph the 44s into 42 and phase out the 44mm line imo.

I totally agree!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by yoast

I think the entire 42mm line is outdated and the 44s are too big. Best thing would be to morph the 44s into 42 and phase out the 44mm line imo.

can't do that as all of the sports stars who wear AP are quite large. We can't have them wearing Hublots now can we? That would be wrong.

[AK797]

I really liked the 42s but when the 44s came out they were a class ahead. I also felt the 42s wore smaller as the chrono dials were small, so altho the 44 is bigger, but not exponentially by much if you can wear a 42, I feel the 44 is the better balanced watch for flat 6.5 inch wrists and above.

[Betta01]

I like the 42 for the smaller size plus I find the pusher design of the 44 too bulky..


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[P2725TMB]

Originally Posted by Betta01

I like the 42 for the smaller size plus I find the pusher design of the 44 too bulky..


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Must admit I feel the opposite. I think the pusher design of the 44 is superb both visually and functionally. In contrast the simple 'button' pushers of the 42s are my main dislike of that model. I am considering a 42 but for me its the pushers that are the biggest negative to the design.

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by P2725TMB

Must admit I feel the opposite. I think the pusher design of the 44 is superb both visually and functionally. In contrast the simple 'button' pushers of the 42s are my main dislike of that model. I am considering a 42 but for me its the pushers that are the biggest negative to the design.

They could easily solve this but making pushers designed the way they are on the diver. I know on the diver those aren't pushers, but a pusher could easily be designed the same way.

AP actually has all the tools necessary to really push themselves to a whole new level. For whatever reason they just don't have the brain. They focus constantly on the 44mm, and the super high end, and ignore everything else it looks like.

Or, they just don't care. Majority of the clients just buy the watch to flaunt. They don't care necessarily what it looks like.