The Outlook on 42mm Offshores

[chiscott_29]

I've been eyeing an Offshore as my next watch, and am wondering what people think about overall sizing of the line and what the near future may hold.

I have a 6.5" wrist, so definitely on the small side. I have tried on the 'Ghost' 42mm which I liked the size as a casual/weekend watch, but not enough to pull the trigger. I feel that's as large as I can go.

Within the current lineup, my favorite Offshore is the 'Pride of Germany', but at 44mm I genuinely don't think that's going to work for me.

I'm hoping to get some insight on the following:

1) Do the 44mm Offshores wear appreciably larger than the 42mm models? I have to assume so, but AP sizing can be tricky and I know enough to know that stated size may not fully equate to how the watch actually wears/feels.

2) What do you think the near future holds for new 42mm Offshores? Is it possible that some new models make their way into the 2020 lineup? I know it's unlikely anybody has any verified information, but I always like to hear what people are thinking.

Thanks in advance.

[conkers]

I would try the new transition 42mm - it is slimmer than the old 42mm due to different movement. On your size wrist, it could be the best fit and very light since titanium. 26480Ti.

[Token74]

It’s taken me a while to get used to the heft of the Offshore Diver as I also have 6.5” wrists, but I’m completely used to it now and enjoy it for what it is, an oversized watch.

Some on this forum have found that the 44mm models wear better than the 42mm models on smaller wrists. Doesn’t make sense to me, but these guys have experience of both so who am I to argue.

I have a 26480 waiting for me, as I think the watch is the perfect size for my wrists. 42mm but slightly slimmer than the diver.


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[rumnyc]

I was in the same boat and was waiting for 26480. When it came the shop had 26400ti so i tried it on and it was the first time i tried on a 44m as i also thought 42mm was the limit (my wrists are 6.5).

I will say the 44m wears differently and sits flatter on the wrist while the 42m is more ‘lumpy’. Also the ceramic bezel is on a different level compared to the metal bezels of most 44m. I like the square buttons more as well as they are finished so much nicer than any buttons on any watch with the ceramic caps. And the display back and movement is nicer as well.

In the end it was a no brainer for me to go with the 44m


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[AK797]

6.5 is fine if you have flat wrists for the 44, then they wear better and flatter than the 42s and not so top heavy.

[Burlington]

Both on a 6.5” wrist for comparison




The 44 RG was just a try on. For my wrists, it did feel too large.

[GS93108]

If you are set on a 42mm then hold tight, there's some new ones due, but they may be delayed because of the state of the world.

[Raemondo]

I have a 6.25 wrist and love my offshores. Once I got my Pride of Germany I couldn’t take it off. The combination of the unscratchable ceramic for a complete klutz like me plus the rose gold accents made it a winning watch. You won’t need any other offshores after that. Well, maybe just the Summer Edition.

I haven’t tried on the 42mm but don’t really care to, I love the heft and the look of the 44mm. In pictures the 42mm looks more squished dial-wise to me. I feel like the new 42mm was a concession / experimentation for collectors whereas the offshore at 44mm is more of the modern DNA of today’s AP. Yes, I’m aware that the Beast was only 42mm.

Watch wearing and collecting is all about your own individual expression of style, art, and engineering. Forget what people tell you about it’s too big/small for your wrist. If you want to rock it and believe you can, do it. It’s like wearing tshirts — no one will tell you that oversized shirts are bad, it’s just an element of style.

Because my wrists are small, most people say I should be wearing 40mm or below. But I love big watches especially because my aesthetic is elevated casual and sporty. I wear my offshores even with suits because it’s unexpected. The rubber strap in this case helps make it sit easier on your wrist. I have other 40mm watches for other occasions, which I bet you do too.

In terms of the future, I’m pretty sure that 44mm offshores will continue to be a staple for AP. It’s different enough from the Royal Oak line with the larger size and sporty strap. So far, it’s been a lot of different dial colors and metals, sprinkled with celebrity collaborations. Most of the designs within a particular price bracket look the same. I would expect future offshores to include more complications other than a chronograph. An annual or triple calendar with moon phase at an accessible price point would be nice. A large second hand sweep on a 44mm would also be cool.

[chiscott_29]

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions!

Given all the info it makes my heart grow fonder of the PoG and seems to put the 44s as a possibility.

Can anyone confirm if the ceramic PoG is available at U.S. boutiques? An old thread on here said it may become available, but I didn’t weed all the way through it to see if there was any definitive answer. I’m guessing that it’s either fully allocated by now, or very difficult to get without a nice purchase history. And by “available”, I mean can one hope to be allocated one?

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by chiscott_29

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions!

Given all the info it makes my heart grow fonder of the PoG and seems to put the 44s as a possibility.

Can anyone confirm if the ceramic PoG is available at U.S. boutiques? An old thread on here said it may become available, but I didn’t weed all the way through it to see if there was any definitive answer. I’m guessing that it’s either fully allocated by now, or very difficult to get without a nice purchase history. And by “available”, I mean can one hope to be allocated one?

It’s worth calling all the AP dealers or even speaking to AP US head office. I can recall a time when I really wanted a Jarno Trulli offshore and I couldn’t find one anwhere, it was an unobtanium limited edition. I mentioned it to the then head of sales at AP who called her dealers and then she rang me back and said that as it happened Marcus jewellers had 21 of them in their safe and I could have one if I wanted.


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[ScottC]

My SA informed me a couple of weeks back that there would be no new 42mm offshores released in 2020, only 44mm. We shall see if that remains accurate.

[Raemondo]

Originally Posted by AshAP

It’s worth calling all the AP dealers or even speaking to AP US head office. I can recall a time when I really wanted a Jarno Trulli offshore and I couldn’t find one anwhere, it was an unobtanium limited edition. I mentioned it to the then head of sales at AP who called her dealers and then she rang me back and said that as it happened Marcus jewellers had 21 of them in their safe and I could have one if I wanted.


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Agree, give it a shot. Your chances aren’t high at this point unless AP likes you but it’s worth trying. It was released in Sep 2019 at a 300 run. I heard some time ago they are all sold out but you never know.

[Sulituan]

Originally Posted by AshAP

she rang me back and said that as it happened Marcus jewellers had 21 of them in their safe and I could have one if I wanted.


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Did you just say they had 21 (!) in their safe?!

[Agustin_Nielsen]

I got a message from my AP guy 6 weeks ago offering a PoG ROO. Maybe a few floating around at retail still.

If not, go for 26405CE.02. As it is all black, it wears smaller on the wrist. For example, I cannot wear the 26401 (RO version), but the 26405CE wears well.

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by Agustin_Nielsen

I got a message from my AP guy 6 weeks ago offering a PoG ROO. Maybe a few floating around at retail still.

If not, go for 26405CE.02. As it is all black, it wears smaller on the wrist. For example, I cannot wear the 26401 (RO version), but the 26405CE wears well.

The 44 Black ceramic offshore and POG are the same case, same thickness and dimensions (and material for Ceramic) so no it wouldn't wear smaller on the wrist.

Originally Posted by conkers

I would try the new transition 42mm - it is slimmer than the old 42mm due to different movement. On your size wrist, it could be the best fit and very light since titanium. 26480Ti.

Great point and observation. The 42 Ti has the ROC movement making it thinner. The Ti coming in at 12.8 vs 14.6 is a sizeable difference in terms of comfort. The titanium, different hands, and 44 style pushers add some more unique elements to this model.

[Agustin_Nielsen]

Originally Posted by myporsche

The 44 Black ceramic offshore and POG are the same case, same thickness and dimensions (and material for Ceramic) so no it wouldn't wear smaller on the wrist.



Great point and observation. The 42 Ti has the ROC movement making it thinner. The Ti coming in at 12.8 vs 14.6 is a sizeable difference in terms of comfort. The titanium, different hands, and 44 style pushers add some more unique elements to this model.

Correct, what I'm saying is that if you compare the PoG or the 26405CE.02, as they are both all black, they appear to wear smaller on the wrist vs. a titanium, gold, platinum or steel ROO 44mm.

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by ScottC

My SA informed me a couple of weeks back that there would be no new 42mm offshores released in 2020, only 44mm. We shall see if that remains accurate.

I was under the impression that there were for sure new 42mm versions this year, although that may have been the intention prior to covid. Sounds like your info is more up to date than mine. Shame, as I think the 42mm rectangular pusher model is great and was hoping they'd expand that.

[GS93108]

POG is great. I was very close to picking one up earlier in the year but my wife wouldn't let me :(

It was interesting how noticeable the weight difference is between the steel models and ceramic models.

A ceramic full case and bezel is in my future at some point for sure.

[1Orologio]

Originally Posted by conkers

I would try the new transition 42mm - it is slimmer than the old 42mm due to different movement. On your size wrist, it could be the best fit and very light since titanium. 26480Ti.

+1

[chiscott_29]

Originally Posted by 1Orologio

+1

After a LOT of thought, this is the direction I'm going and am going to wait for the 26480ti. This seems like it will make me the happiest in terms of look/durability/size.

I'm not very happy to be told there's a wait for this watch now - at least for me. I am far from VIP so I'm sure that's my reality and not the reality for more established customers.

[yoast]

Originally Posted by chiscott_29

After a LOT of thought, this is the direction I'm going and am going to wait for the 26480ti. This seems like it will make me the happiest in terms of look/durability/size.

I'm not very happy to be told there's a wait for this watch now - at least for me. I am far from VIP so I'm sure that's my reality and not the reality for more established customers.

I've seen these for around 24k pre owned in HK

[Watch Rob]

I wear 34 to 45 mm watches. Wear what you like; there are no rules!

[Soondooboo]

Originally Posted by ScottC

My SA informed me a couple of weeks back that there would be no new 42mm offshores released in 2020, only 44mm. We shall see if that remains accurate.

that would be sad news