Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Carbon

[Indepth]

As the Rolex frenzy continues with seemingly no end in sight many of us have turned to other brands we may have not otherwise thought of - AP being one of them.

A friend of mine recently acquired an AP RO blue dial and has done nothing but shower me with pictures and videos of the piece which has done nothing but make me drool - that bracelet really is something else.

That being said, I've come across this ROO Carbon model that seems to be a limited edition of some sort. Does anyone have any information, or maybe own one, that can provide feedback on the piece? The case is supposedly made out of forged carbon, and while it's supposedly durable, I do have concerns.

Open to any insights the group may have.

[V25V]

I have had mine for almost 2 years now and love it. It is a fantastic summer/beach/etc watch to throw on and worry very little about it. The ceramic bezel is virtually impossible to scratch (you can crack if hit hard enough) and the rubber is butter. I did have an issue with the carbon mid case and had that replaced last year at APSC. It wasn't cheap but not awful either. Here are some photos I did a while back of it.

Another member here has noted that AP was the pioneer to use carbon on a watch and this was their first go at it, another reason why it's so special to me with that story to tell about the brand and watch history in general. 99% of people on the street think you are wearing a G-Shock, which is really nice as well. Only those you would likely want to spot the watch and come talk to you would be doing so.

[tyler1980]

i like it alot. Probably prefer the ceramic but its one of my favorites.

I always laugh when the FC watch comes up as i remember a thread when some guy was contemplating the value in spending so much money for a plastic watch

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by V25V

I have had mine for almost 2 years now and love it. It is a fantastic summer/beach/etc watch to throw on and worry very little about it. The ceramic bezel is virtually impossible to scratch (you can crack if hit hard enough) and the rubber is butter. I did have an issue with the carbon mid case and had that replaced last year at APSC. It wasn't cheap but not awful either. Here are some photos I did a while back of it.

Another member here has noted that AP was the pioneer to use carbon on a watch and this was their first go at it, another reason why it's so special to me with that story to tell about the brand and watch history in general. 99% of people on the street think you are wearing a G-Shock, which is really nice as well. Only those you would likely want to spot the watch and come talk to you would be doing so.

Those are the best shots I have seen of this watch. It is a beauty

[arnage]

nice pics! can you elaborate a bit on the specific issues you had with the carbon midcase? (edges wearing down, etc)

and maybe give us an approximate idea of the replacement cost for the midcase?

[masterserg]

I love forged carbon. THE one watch I truly regret selling (out of many) is my 44 ROO FC.

[Indepth]

I suppose it may help to specifically name the reference I'm eyeing - 15706AU.

How does AP handle purchase of additional AP sourced items - specifically their rubber straps. I see some of these are coming on black and others yellow straps, I'd prefer to own both and swap out as I see fit.

Is anyone aware of whether or not you can order a second strap and if so the typical cost?

Really falling for this reference, and AP overall the more I read on the brand/references and view pictures.

[arnage]

the carbon 15706 diver came with a black rubber strap only; the yellow strap was made for subsequent diver iterations (chrono, etc).

It can be ordered via boutique or the AP service center.. I think around $200 to 300, not sure of the exact price. swapping out is certainly possible, but you'll need a collection of screwdrivers..

[Doctock]

I just bought a yellow rubber for my "Bumblebee".
AP OEM rubber straps are currently (as of 8/2019) $290 + $30 overnight shipping direct from AP Service Center in Clearwater.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by arnage

nice pics! can you elaborate a bit on the specific issues you had with the carbon midcase? (edges wearing down, etc)

and maybe give us an approximate idea of the replacement cost for the midcase?

It developed some odd mark in between the two plots at 6 o'clock, which I kept rubbing/picking at as if it was going to magically disappear and the laminate started to peel and pit. It got worse and I bit the bullet, that was almost 2 years ago and no issues with the new one at all. APSC retail is $4000 but they charged me $2400 for a complete new mid case.

[bondtoys]

I have my FC since 4 1/2years. It‘s my favorite watch and I have no regrets buying her.

Zero issues with her, and I am using her often when swimming.
It seems that my midcase is the 2. generation. It holds up incredibly well, zero scratches, zero damages.

I prefer the FC Diver over the full Ceramic Diver because CE is too sterile imo.
The FC has more life into it and has a used highly functional optics.

I‘d not hesitate for a second buying again.

As for the FC Cases:
Early cases could be scratched/filed off with your fingernails. Those can be replaced by AP for a reasonable charge.

You can‘t damage 2nd gen cases like that.
My amateur theory is, that for 1st generation the epoxy content was too low in the Carbon Fiber/Epoxy mix (thus the properties are very much like pure coal) , they improved that some time ago.

[arnage]

Originally Posted by V25V

It developed some odd mark in between the two plots at 6 o'clock, which I kept rubbing/picking at as if it was going to magically disappear and the laminate started to peel and pit. It got worse and I bit the bullet, that was almost 2 years ago and no issues with the new one at all. APSC retail is $4000 but they charged me $2400 for a complete new mid case.

thanks for the followup; $2,400 seems entirely pretty reasonable, come to think of it. sort of shudder to hear what the ceramic diver's mid-case cost is.

[arnage]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

I have my FC since 4 1/2years. It‘s my favorite watch and I have no regrets buying her.

Zero issues with her, and I am using her often when swimming.
It seems that my midcase is the 2. generation. It holds up incredibly well, zero scratches, zero damages.

I prefer the FC Diver over the full Ceramic Diver because CE is too sterile imo.
The FC has more life into it and has a used highly functional optics.

I‘d not hesitate for a second buying again.

As for the FC Cases:
Early cases could be scratched/filed off with your fingernails. Those can be replaced by AP for a reasonable charge.

You can‘t damage 2nd gen cases like that.
My amateur theory is, that for 1st generation the epoxy content was too low in the Carbon Fiber/Epoxy mix (thus the properties are very much like pure coal) , they improved that some time ago.

the "marbling" of the carbon case definitely adds some personality that the CE cases might not have. but the durability and brushing on the CE case also counts for something too!

I personally liked the orange accents a bit more, and coupled with the display-back (and availability of the watch at the time, given the carbon version was discontinued), the CE diver won out.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by arnage

thanks for the followup; $2,400 seems entirely pretty reasonable, come to think of it. sort of shudder to hear what the ceramic diver's mid-case cost is.

Yeah, they did discount it and I didn't think it was awful. I really love the watch but my only issue with it is that I find it difficult to wear in anything other than very casual. I suppose the black strap makes that a little better but I still reserve it for weekends horsing around with the kids, vacations, etc.

[yoast]

What series did they make the 2nd gen cases in?

[bund]

Love mine! It’s the watch I take when I go on vacation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Olapos]

Great shots!

[V25V]

Originally Posted by yoast

What series did they make the 2nd gen cases in?

Not sure, assume my new mid-case is 2nd gen.

[yoast]

Originally Posted by V25V

Not sure, assume my new mid-case is 2nd gen.

Right... Is there a way to see the difference between the 2?

[V25V]

Originally Posted by yoast

Right... Is there a way to see the difference between the 2?

I almost typed that I cannot tell the difference in the two in my last post. But I am not sure you really could. My hope would be that they added more a better laminate on top of the carbon but not sure one could spot that. But yeah, I cannot see anything visibly different to my eye.

[othertbone]

Originally Posted by Indepth

As the Rolex frenzy continues with seemingly no end in sight many of us have turned to other brands we may have not otherwise thought of - AP being one of them.

A friend of mine recently acquired an AP RO blue dial and has done nothing but shower me with pictures and videos of the piece which has done nothing but make me drool - that bracelet really is something else.

That being said, I've come across this ROO Carbon model that seems to be a limited edition of some sort. Does anyone have any information, or maybe own one, that can provide feedback on the piece? The case is supposedly made out of forged carbon, and while it's supposedly durable, I do have concerns.

Open to any insights the group may have.

There are many many ROO's, just find a size and color combo you like and go for it. Really love the piece before you buy it, and don't just buy it because you can't find a Rolex. Otherwise you will be selling it for a loss in a year. AP's are amazing, but make sure you really want it.

[yoast]

Originally Posted by V25V

I almost typed that I cannot tell the difference in the two in my last post. But I am not sure you really could. My hope would be that they added more a better laminate on top of the carbon but not sure one could spot that. But yeah, I cannot see anything visibly different to my eye.

I'm thinking about adding one. Obviously, i'd go for the 2nd gen. Need to figure out now how to find out its the 2nd gen lol. Don't really feel the need to fork over for a new mid case down the road...

Thanks

[V25V]

Originally Posted by yoast

I'm thinking about adding one. Obviously, i'd go for the 2nd gen. Need to figure out now how to find out its the 2nd gen lol. Don't really feel the need to fork over for a new mid case down the road...

Thanks

Yeah, maybe contact AP and ask. I guess what you could do is look for one of the latest production serials you can find. But even then, I am not sure the 2nd gen cases were even used in production, just replacements? Not sure.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by V25V

I almost typed that I cannot tell the difference in the two in my last post. But I am not sure you really could. My hope would be that they added more a better laminate on top of the carbon but not sure one could spot that. But yeah, I cannot see anything visibly different to my eye.

I had my 44 FC for about two years ... it was an I series if I remember correctly and had zero issues with it.