Audemars Piguet Offshore

[unknown]

The first AP Royal Oak was made in 1972 and was designed by Gerald Genta Who also designed the Patek Philippe Nautilus.
The Royal Oak was the first 'expensive' steel sportswatch on the market.

In 1993 they made the first Offhore.
The case is 46 mm in diameter and 14 mm high, the entire watch weighs 240 gram. Today those messures do not seem to be too big but in '93 it was a monster.

The movement is the 2226/2840 (JLC base)


Basically it's a JLC 889/1 running at 21'600 A/h instead of 28'800. It's automatic, 26 mm in diameter, 3.25 mm high, has 33 jewels and a power reserve of 45 hours

Case, bracelet, dial, just everything is the best you can get.
I don't know other sportswatches that are finished as good as those AP's.

AP made around 250 offshores in 1993 but today they make around 3500 offshores per year. (Total AP production is about 21.000)
So 3500 pce is nothing compared to the Rolex submariner production but it's 1400% more than the first production year.
The last years those watches are real hot. I personally know a few Panerai collectors who sold a few Panerai's to buy a ROO.

This watch is imo the best sportswatch you can get !
I had several watches in the last 10 years. Probably every sports rolex, Some Breitling, Omega. Vacheron's Offshore.
Tried others like Breguet XXI and some JLC for a few weeks
But I get the most pleasure from the Audemars Piguet Offshore.



Some More pics

[JJ Irani]

Thanks, Bruno!! Excellent update and pics. Have always admired the RO....but specially like the TT version with the greyish/blue checker dial.

[worktolivelife]

JEEEZZ another "one day" watch thats some heavy artilary there! lovely!

steve

[padi56]

Great pictures but IMO watch picture look better crown up.Not a huge fan of the RO but a well built reliable watch.

[unknown]

I already had a few of those Offshores.
Sold a few and will sell 2 more.
I'm saving for my dreamwatch :)

[TARDIS]

Just a thought.......

How do you unscrew the hexagonal screws that have a hexagonal countersink?

Duh?

[worktolivelife]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

Just a thought.......

How do you unscrew the hexagonal screws that have a hexagonal countersink?

Duh?

I believe the actual screw comes from the underside, and what you can see on the bezal is really the nut?

steve

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by worktolivelife

I believe the actual screw comes from the underside, and what you can see on the bezal is really the nut?

steve

Hmmmmm.....doesn't that just remind you of someone you know!!!

[RogerF]

I am so in love with ROOs.....one day..... oh yes, it will be mine

[jwl-2]

In the sixth dimension, you should have known!

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by worktolivelife

I believe the actual screw comes from the underside, and what you can see on the bezal is really the nut?

steve

Yes. It's called a patent screw. Cartier has a similar construction on their Santos line.

[Tony-GB]

Great review & great pics

[Terry Newton]

Not a fan but like the solid stainless steel one that you bought. It's a sharp looking watch. Nice review.

Terry Newton

[BmwA5H]

hmmmmm . . . Very robust lookin watches ! nice
Prefer the Gold though,

[golfball123]

very nice n pricey...........

[abigsecret]

Love it love it love it! Oh, one day..... maybe, hopefully, in my dreams!

[Watch_Me]

The Offshores are one of the best looking watches ever. I personally love the Rubens Barrichello II in Titanium and Rose Gold! Anyone have one for sale at MSRP?? haha

[onkyo]

Have a SS one coming in the mail (literally)!!!

[watchknutt]

Just sold mine but still have some great photos if anyone cares to see... 2008 series.

[Spencer]

I love mine too. Here's a pic....

[topcat30093]

I can't say that I'm fan of the ROO.
I would be most interested to read what it is that most fans admire about it.
Is it the construction,the movement, the size,the readability, the comfort when you wear it,the operation of the buttons or something else?
I am not taking the mickey in anyway I would just like to know.
One of my friends would dearly love to own one of these watches

[Mrdi]

In the OP pic it appears the numbers increase in size as they move from 1-12.
If so that is very cool.

[Spencer]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

I can't say that I'm fan of the ROO.
I would be most interested to read what it is that most fans admire about it.
Is it the construction,the movement, the size,the readability, the comfort when you wear it,the operation of the buttons or something else?
I am not taking the mickey in anyway I would just like to know.
One of my friends would dearly love to own one of these watches

Many things. To me it's the history of the piece, the history/presitge of Audemars Piguet, and the fact that to me it's the ultimate sports watch. On a negative side, it is quit big and heavy, so comfort is not A+ like many Rolex models.

[topcat30093]

Thanks Spence, what for you makes it the Ultimate Sports watch. Compared to say the Daytona (apart from having a date LOL) or Panerai etc?

[Spencer]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

Thanks Spence, what for you makes it the Ultimate Sports watch. Compared to say the Daytona (apart from having a date LOL) or Panerai etc?

That’s a good question. I mean to each their own, but I just feel that the AP’s classic yet individualistic styling, prestige, and ruggedness, really set it apart. I know that watches like the Sub have been around for years, but I think that when the original Royal Oak and Patek Nautilus came out back in the 70’s, it really started the sports watch craze. Additionally I like the fact that most people don’t really even know what it is. I mean when you see it, it is big, and has a presence, so watch novices can appreciate it, however I’d be willing to be that most people wouldn’t necessarily think it’s any pricier than say a Sub, because not as many people are familiar with Audemars Piguet.

As far as comparing it to a Daytona, well I have a Daytona too, and I love it. It’s funny cause I ma more paranoid wearing my Daytona than the AP. I mean the AP is HUGE, so you can scratch it easily, but I think that the polished links of the Daytona for some reason I am far more careful when I wear it over the AP ROO.

[Dylan Wade]

Just picked up on this thread after visiting a few AP dealers here in Hong Kong over lunch.

I'm pretty much set in making my #3 watch a AP Royal Oak Offshore. The obvious question now is which one, although the prices start from Very HIGH and quickly go to Very Very HIGH.

I'm looking at the classic all SS models with the whiteface in mind but was shown both a SS model with leather strap and a Rubber dialed version.

Whaever the decison I think judging from what I currently have tis watch would be my weekend/Casual watch only as its just too BIG to go with a shirt an Tie IMO.

any thoughts to which one and my comments above would be appreciated..........

[Luminor]

I'd go for the offshore with the black rubber bezel. The SS bezel is pretty also, but is very prone to scratches, hairlines and swirls. With a rubber bezel you don't have to worry about any of that.

Changing straps is really nice and imho this watch looks best with a rubber or leather strap. The ROO will most probably be my next watch.

[Spencer]

Originally Posted by Dylan Wade

Just picked up on this thread after visiting a few AP dealers here in Hong Kong over lunch.

I'm pretty much set in making my #3 watch a AP Royal Oak Offshore. The obvious question now is which one, although the prices start from Very HIGH and quickly go to Very Very HIGH.

I'm looking at the classic all SS models with the whiteface in mind but was shown both a SS model with leather strap and a Rubber dialed version.

Whaever the decison I think judging from what I currently have tis watch would be my weekend/Casual watch only as its just too BIG to go with a shirt an Tie IMO.

any thoughts to which one and my comments above would be appreciated..........

I was in the same position as you. I originally had my eye on the black dial Rubberclad, since I think it is a really beauty and really wanted a rubber strap watch. After thinking about it long and hard, I just wasn’t to keen on spending $20K (I paid less actually got a good deal) on a rubber strap watch, in particular my first AP. That and I absolutely LOVE the design of the SS bracelet on the AP. So without much hesitation I bought the black dial SS ROO and I have NO regrets. That being said my next watch purchase will likely be one of the Rubberclads, preferably the Rose Gold version. That and sometime my arm hair gets caught in the bracelet, this happens on the AP far more than any other watch I own.

Which ever you buy you will not regret it one bit. Additionally keep in mind that the straps are interchangeable, however not nearly as easy to change as Panerais.

[Dylan Wade]

Originally Posted by Luminor

I'd go for the offshore with the black rubber bezel. The SS bezel is pretty also, but is very prone to scratches, hairlines and swirls. With a rubber bezel you don't have to worry about any of that.

Changing straps is really nice and imho this watch looks best with a rubber or leather strap. The ROO will most probably be my next watch.

Thansk for your comments Claude, I do like the Rubber Clad models but still not as much as the full SS.

[Dylan Wade]

Originally Posted by Spencer

I was in the same position as you. I originally had my eye on the black dial Rubberclad, since I think it is a really beauty and really wanted a rubber strap watch. After thinking about it long and hard, I just wasn’t to keen on spending $20K (I paid less actually got a good deal) on a rubber strap watch, in particular my first AP. That and I absolutely LOVE the design of the SS bracelet on the AP. So without much hesitation I bought the black dial SS ROO and I have NO regrets. That being said my next watch purchase will likely be one of the Rubberclads, preferably the Rose Gold version. That and sometime my arm hair gets caught in the bracelet, this happens on the AP far more than any other watch I own.

Which ever you buy you will not regret it one bit. Additionally keep in mind that the straps are interchangeable, however not nearly as easy to change as Panerais.

Noted Spencer and I agree with you on the $'s spent on a rubber watch, at least not 1st time around. I will probably opt for the full SS version too and then think about other strap options later...........doubt I will be in aposition to purchase a 2nd ROO anytime in the next 18 years with my 2 kids now online