Dr No
[Moderator Omega - Wristscan]
37500
I'm reminded of Norman Podhoretz's opening line . . .
. . . from "Making It": "One of the longest journeys in the world is the journey from Brooklyn to Manhattan - or at least from certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn to certain parts of Manhattan."
Podhoretz isn't referring to the Montauk Highway, and moreover, the context is entirely different; still, there's an eery overlap in my mind with the watch under review.
The original Royal Oak is as close to a tabula rasa design as there is in watchmaking. It has a presence comparable to few others. It is not only immediately recognizable . . . for those of us who aren't steeped in the lore of Audemars Piguet, it is the essence of the brand.
It is said that variety is the spice of life. Does a seemingly endless supply of variety enhance or dilute the experience?
Many moons ago, pplater initiated a thread on Watch Rap centering on his inability to come to grips with the aesthetics of the ROO (as well as the PP Nautilus). My response was that both designs ran against the grain of natural aesthetics . . . they both tried to elicit a rounded effect from a nominally square form. The point I tried to make then was that appreciation of abstract aesthetic forms doesn't come naturally to some of us.
In order to better understand your perspective, Daos, can I ask if the basic form of the ROO is one that you find captivating? And if not, does the execution offered by the model under review alter your instinctive reaction?
Cordially, Art
Royal Oak Offshore Montauk Highway - On the Wrist Review by Daos
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Montauk Highway limited edition - Complementary Contradictions: Daos' On The Wrist review Please leave a note of thanks to Daos for her tasteful insights into a very intriguing design of complementary contradictions Brav...
The opinions, info and photography...
....in reviews like this are one of the highlights of this site. Even when the watch isn't to my taste. Excellent job, Daos. Particularly the examination (and photography) of the differing case finishes.
:-) Thanks!
Nice of you to read the article and leave a comment. I appreciate it. The watch was very fun to wear, although understandably it's a bold piece and won't be to everyone's taste. Thanks for looking! Cheers, Daos
On your wrist...
...yes ...On my wrist...No I probably already know the answer, but does it have any lume?
I honestly never noticed any.
This seems more like a daytime watch to me. Cheers, Daos
Yup...
...that blue infill on the hands and numbers looked too glossy and bright to be lume. Thanks again, Daos.
Some comments from me …
Thanks Daos, Both the watch and your review were a lot of fun. I had the pleasure of playing with the Montauk while visiting LA last month and as you rightly say, it is certainly a watch that you notice and have a response to, either positive or negative....
Great review.
Daos, your reviews really help me understand what it feels like to wear a particular watch, even one I would never consider for myself. Thanks. I can see how this one would have excited the "girl on the street". Best, Ginger
The girls at the office loved it!
You know, I think it's the combo of pale blue -- reminiscent of a jewelry box from Tiffany, perhaps -- and the unusual bezel shape paired with fashionable white rubber strap that intrigues. For non-WIS, AP ROOs are a newfangled watch experience! Cheers, D...
Nobody wants to see me in a bikini! LOL!
I'll dig up some press pictures of the La Perla models sporting this watch from the Montauk launch party for you, perhaps! You don't think it would go with a nice seersucker suit? I think the blue striped seersucker fabric would perfectly echo the watch's...
It's just me!
Actually I meant that I couldn't pull it off in a seersucker suit. It's just not me. I know I have rabbited on in the past about having variety across my watches for different occasions, but when it comes down to it, I am not man enough for this watch! Bu...
The watch world does need more daring souls!
We've got Cen and Bernard, of course! That's two, for sure! LOL! I admire folks who walk to the beat of a different drummer. Not every model is going to work for every person, anyhow! There's nothing wrong with that. Cheers, Daos
This is one strange phenomenon about Offshores
Some don't like how it looks on their own wrist, mainly in part to how large the watch wears on the wrist. But in actuality, from far away, the Offshore looks fine on their wrists. It's just a mental thing I guess that needs to be deconstructed. - AT
Yes I guess
if you're referring to the 47mm Panerai's. When you compare a 44mm Panerai to an Offshore, seems like more people will be afraid to wear the Offshore than the Panerai IMO. Cheers, Anthony
Yes, I mean the 47mm PAMs.
There seems to be this mental barrier for some when they hear the words, "forty-seven millimeters." Cheers, Daos
One thing is certain, Daos: Your review is awesome.
I'm puzzled, Sister, by this superbly written article. As for the watch, like any other ROO ( at the exception of the Orchard Road and the new Diver ), I have mixed feelings, and I think I have to better work the topic before any definitive judgement, so ...
Well, the Orchard Road is my favorite ROO...
...so I can certainly see how you might forgive its volume (Yes, also 44mm, like the Montauk.), but doesn't the dark tantalum, gray dial, and black rubber bezel seem somehow slimming on that timepiece? It's such a great combination of colors. Plus the blo...
Elegance?
Nicolas, I believe there is consensus among those who like the RO at all that the Jumbo--particularly your Jumbo--is an elegant watch. Elegance is a primary attribute and attraction of the watch. Some of us sacrifice a bit of that elegance for the functio...
I had a lot of fun when reading the last part of your answer, Park.
I think we share the same point, here, about the ROO. But, as I said, this is a topic I don't know very well, and I have to do my homework before giving a definitive opinion on these ROOs. Can't agree with you, the jumbo is all except Coca, Rugby or a Tab...
Very nice review and photography, Daos.
Did you do any performance testing? I'm curious to know how the watch kept time.
I didn't do any formal testing...
...but in the three weeks on my wrist I didn't feel the need to make any adjustments in the time display at all. It kept perfectly good time by my standards! Cheers, Daos PS -- wondering if that dear wife of yours is back in town. Let's all meet up soon f...
well done! Daos..
I was looking forward to this since the SoCal BBQ GTG... Nice work and great photos... its definately a unique piece in the ROO line...
Definitely a unique piece in the AP portfolio...
...but I love that this particular color scheme is paired with the inherently masculine characteristics of the Offshore. The finishing on all the metal parts of the case was wonderful to experience, as well. Cheers, Daos
Well done.
A very enjoyable and thorough review; thanks Daos! I can clearly picture this watch going well with a seersucker suit, bow tie, straw boater hat, and white nubuck shoes. (To dress down, substitute seersucker shorts for the suit trousers and omit socks!) S...
Tom, I loved reading your response!
You paint quite the picture -- I can almost imagine myself attending a collegiate regatta with you in tow (dressed to the nines, naturally)! The Montauk's color scheme is not going to be for everyone, although I actually found that I had a lot of clothes ...
What a splendid and colorful review...
...love it and love this TOO that be yet another limited edition... but beautiful anyway Thankyou for this great review Cheers Hans P.S. imho is the strap version the nicest one..
I like the strap too!
I would have liked to see the watch on both strap options in order to compare them. The hornback in the press pictures looks so nice. After wearing the 57th Street ROO with hornback strap for a day, I think I would've preferred it on the Montauk also. Che...
I appreciate it, Craig!
Thanks for taking a look at the article, and leaving a note. Cheers, Daos
love all these experiential reports,
esp one as well written as this. thks for sharing
Thanks for the nice comments!
I think experiencing a watch in the flesh often changes one's viewpoint of the timepiece. I find that I tend to appreciate watches more after wearing them. Thanks so much for reading! Cheers, Daos
Thanks, Sebastian!
I appreciate you taking a look, and leaving the kind words for me. Cheers, Daos
Fabulous review Daos! *clap clap*
Really great review of the AP Montauk Offshore. If I had reviewed the watch, I definitely wouldn't be able to write as much as you have. Lovely touches with your plethora of personal opinion. Awesome! Even though Offshores look essentially the same, all t...
Honestly, I love the variety in the Offshore family.
Thanks for the nice words, Anthony. They are much appreciated. I definitely agree that a Montoya or Barrichello 2 would be a very different creature on the wrist, as compared to the Montauk. For that matter, how about a Survivor? IMO there's no femininity...
You're welcome!
I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Every once in a while I get lucky with the pictures. It happened once or twice during this photo shoot! It was a very difficult watch to shoot for me (I'm sure the better photogs on the site would've had no problems) while...
Thanks!
I appreciate your nice words, and I'm really happy you read the article! Cheers, Daos
Great write-up!
...and great looking watch. I'm normally not a big fan of white rubber straps, but with that piece it's perfect!
I agree!
I've never been at one of my local watch shops and been floored by any of the watches on white rubber straps/bracelets, but with the Montauk it just felt right -- perfect for summer especially! Cheers, Daos
Fab review!!
Awesome review I love this colour combination and have been searching for an in depth review on the Montauk offshore. I seriously am considering pulling the trigger on this watch think im going to add it to my NEED list J
Cool!
Glad I could provide some thoughts to add to your considerations. The Montauk is certainly a piece that merits a second look. My guess is that the Montauk will never become the ROO you see on everyone else's wrist -- that's a good thing IMO. Cheers, Daos
What a great read
Thanks a lot, Daos, for this very vivid and entertaining article. You make excellent points for your "case", and your writing is full of charm and humour. Well done! And I praise you for acknowledging that the ROOs are not to everyone's taste. Sven
Hi, Sven!
Thanks for reading! The ROO is a timepiece with a very in-your-face, audacious approach to design, so it makes sense that the watch can't appeal to all. This is, of course, part of its charm for me! I appreciate you taking a look at the article and leavin...
A colourful review Daos.....
Thank you for a great job..... I like the watch but have two conerns..... It is a tad too big for my wrist and the colour combination, although interesting, they could "fade away" after some time.... Thanks again... Cheers
I don't know...
...if I'd want this for my one and only ROO because the dial colors could be considered too fashionable by some, but I do like the light blue. It's definitely a watch with large wrist presence, so I can see why you'd be hesitant about that aspect of it! C...
I really like the colours on the Montauk!
Makes me think of ice or ice-cream! I really like it with white strap – a Blomman summer watch! Thanks for a great review! Best Blomman
The white strap is very summery...
...I agree, Blomman! I actually didn't think of ice cream, but instead of jewelry boxes from Tiffany. That's probably because I'm a girl and jewelry is always on the brain. LOL! Cheers, Daos
Thanks a lot Daos for your excellent post !
Here are my pics of this watch: Fr.Xavier...
FX, dearest...
...why didn't you mention that you had these great pictures before I posted!? I could've incorporated them into my review! I particularly like your wristshot! The blue on your shirt is particularly nice with the light blue on the dial. Thanks for showing ...
excellent review!!
Excellent review/post Daos! A true pleasure to read and learn about your experiences with this watch. I have been thinking about acquiring a Montauk Highway and this information will be used when I try the watch on again.....
Lovely!
Please let us know what you end up with. I just saw another post from a fellow forum member wearing his Montauk in the mountains of Utah. It looks great and rugged on the wrist. Good luck with your watch shopping! Thanks for checking out my post! Cheers, ...
Very nice Daos
Wonderful review and GREAT photos. JerryW This message has been edited by JerryW on 2010-08-29 20:44:32
Thanks, Jerry!
Hope you are enjoying these last few days of summer. Thanks for taking a look at my article. I really love the dials on these Offshores. I also wore the 57th Street for a day and that was a pretty ROO, as well. There's a lot of depth to the AP dial. I'm d...
LOL! I think you speak from personal experience!
Consider me warned, Jerry! Boy, they are attractive watches though! Cheers, Daos
re: Montauk
Cool post Daos! While not my favorite in the ROO line, IMO the light blue shade of color is much better in person. Thanks for the review! -MW
Much prettier in person.
I agree, MW. The aqua accents are much nicer in person -- they are like a robin's egg blue. Very pretty. It was a tough watch to photograph. I took tons of pictures and only a third of them were usable. Cheers, Daos
Thanks for sharing...
this wonderful and comprehensive review... Cool watch with a nice touch of blue. Goh
A lovely report Daos.................
And with some great photos. Thanks for taking the time to construct such an excellent review. I must admit, that the piece would not be to my tastes, but all the same I did like the contrast between the dial and the strap.
It was my first watch...
...on a white strap, so that was a very unique experience for me. The strap was very stylish though, and caught the eye of many female co-workers. I thought the phenomenon quite intriguing. Cheers, Daos
Thank YOU for reading my post!
I love the touches of light blue on the dial of this timepiece. It's just so fresh and fun. The blue is very different than the colors we often see on watches, so I realize the dial either elicits groans of displeasure or smiles of appreciation. Cheers, D...
After reading through your review for the third time....
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I've always had such a fondness for this piece, and your review only deepens my appreciation for it.
*blushing*
Your note was so nice! Glad you enjoyed the write-up, and that you like the watch. It's actually a very cool piece. I wonder if it will ever find a following, but as ROOs go I found it quite unique. Cheers, Daos
A beautiful watch, an even better review!
I have to say, I like the Montauk highway after I reading the review and seeing the watch in person. However, I would still prefer to wear the other Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watches that don't have such bright colors since the colors of the Mont...
Thanks, Patrick!
I appreciate your insights and response to the review. I enjoyed wearing the watch. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the ROO as a horological design, and for AP in general. The Montauk's color scheme is perhaps more difficult to match with business su...
I'm reminded of Norman Podhoretz's opening line . . .
. . . from "Making It": "One of the longest journeys in the world is the journey from Brooklyn to Manhattan - or at least from certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn to certain parts of Manhattan." Podhoretz isn't referring to the Montauk Highway, and moreover...
The simple answer to your question is, yes...
...I find the basic aesthetics presented by the ROO attractive. I felt this way before trying on the Montauk. While I didn't discuss it in my article, I actually immediately felt the visual push-pull of the concept you touch upon in your post -- squaring ...
Hi, Krieng!
Thanks for taking a look, and I'm glad you liked the photos. I thought the Montauk was hard to photograph. The aqua blue color on the dial is actually very pretty in real life, so I worked hard to try and get that feature across to all of you in my photos...