AP Royal Oak Offshore Safari: Old vs. New

MichaelC · 2014-09-30T08:42:17Z

Compare the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Safari (old vs. 2014). Explore dial, ceramic pushers, tang buckle, and open caseback differences.

MichaelC

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

16 replies11468 views11 photos

MichaelC provides a detailed comparison between the original and 2014 versions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore "Safari," offering a collector's perspective on the aesthetic and functional updates. This post highlights the subtle yet significant changes that impact a watch's appeal and wearability, emphasizing the importance of in-person evaluation.

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Audemars Piguet's 2014 Royal Oak Offshore collection continues to make its way into the hands of collectors and fans worldwide. I have seen the new models a handful of times, and the one that continues to most impress me is the new version of the Royal Oak Offshore "Safari".

I will be the first to admit, when I first saw photos of this watch from SIHH2014 in January, I was not sold. I was unsure about the new dial color and what appeared to be "Cola" colored subdials and accents. But, as we always say, the watch must be seen in person to really be appreciated.

Also, I owned the original version a few moons ago. I can still remember when this creative new Offshore was launched. Much excitement surrounded the watch. The brown hornback strap was remarkable.

The new version is more bold with contrasting subdials and tach ring.

Typical rubber coated pushers and crown match well with the numerals on the first model.

Ceramic pushers and crown adorn the 2014 version. I think this color difference was a concern for me when first seeing the photos of this watch. I like the way they match on the older style, together with the hands and numerals as well.

A unique glossy finish can be seen at certain angles with the original dial.

More refinement on the new one. Crisper numerals. Faceted hands which match the new angular crown guard assembly. Perfectly finished ceramic pieces. Overall, an edgier representation of this Safari model.

The wonderful brown hornback strap from the first Safari...

Thankfully retained on the new one...

But with one notable improvement in my opinion, a tang buckle. Well designed and more comfortable for most users.

Another difference, well received by most but not necessarily me... the open caseback. I tend to prefer a solid caseback unless I am admiring a special movement. No doubt this AP Manufacture movement Caliber 3126 is finely finished, and worthy of observation, but this is a robust sports watch, and the open back adds a touch of delicacy.

I purchased my first Royal Oak Offshore back in 2001 (silver dial rubberclad) and was so impressed by that large chunk of metal on the back. I know AP is moving with the times and perhaps newer fans of the brand and watchmaking in general prefer open casebacks, but I am old school in this regard. It is plenty satisfying to me to know a finely finished AP motor sits inside a watch, even if I cannot see it.

That one point aside, which is my current choice? The 2014 version, without hesitation. I do feel some of the "Old West" emotion that the original one stirred in me is lacking in the new version, but the more modern and sharp lines fit within Audemars Piguet's refined direction and will carry this watch forward for many years.

So on my current wishlist, and hopefully in the corsshairs one day, the Royal Oak Offshore Safari 2.0...

Key Points from the Discussion

While aesthetic changes to the dial and pushers are minor, the new sapphire caseback is a significant upgrade. However, the inability to upgrade older models due to machined serial numbers on solid casebacks is a drawback.
The new tang buckle is an improvement over the old deployant clasp, which often caused discomfort by digging into the wrist due to its curvature.
Despite preferring solid casebacks for robust sports watches, the open caseback on the new Safari, revealing the gold rotor, is a visually appealing addition that complements the watch's colors.
The water resistance of 100m on both old and new Offshore models is sufficient for casual water activities like swimming and snorkeling, making a rubber strap a practical choice for such use.
The tang buckles on Royal Oak Offshore models, including the new Safari, often have sharp edges that can scratch the wrist, suggesting an opportunity for AP to improve comfort with slightly more rounded finishes.
The first generation's dial and overall aesthetic are preferred, along with its simpler metalwork around the crown. However, the second generation's see-through caseback (for the AP 3120 movement) and tang buckle are favored.
A solid caseback on a Royal Oak Offshore is preferred by some for its anti-magnetic capabilities and robust feel, aligning with the 'old school' perspective for a sports watch, even if the movement is finely finished.

The Discussion

orangedial

Sep 30, 2014

Thanks for this interesting comparison, Michael...

I like your 'old school' opinion about a solid ROO case back. While it is thrilling for me to be able to see the exposed inner beauty of the watch, I too have some doubt over the antimagnetic capability of the modern ROO with a display case back. I also agree with you that the 2014 ROOs look more edgier. However, for Safari, the first generation one is much more appealing to me :) Thanks again! Best, Wayne

amanico

Sep 30, 2014

Good comparison article, Michael. I prefer the more subtle 1st generation. [nt]

vitalsigns

Sep 30, 2014

Probably generation 1 for me

Good comparison. There are things I like about both generations. I prefer: The dial and overall aesthetic of the first generation The see-through case back of the second generation (sorry, purists, but I love the view of the AP 3120) The tang buckle of the second generation The metal work around the crown of the first generation (more simple than the second generation) Not sure about the rubber vs. the ceramic pushers, but I'd probably go rubber for non-fragility. All-in-all, the dial of the fir

emijar3

Oct 1, 2014

Overall I like better the second gen...

But the first is also really nice!! Both watches has their beauty!!

bjacknot

Oct 2, 2014

Gen 1 Retrofitted with the Sapphire Caseback!

The aesthetic changes to the dial and the pusher changes aren't big winners for me. I think of this as comparing two very nice televisions side by side in a store, but once you have only one at home the differences are meaningless. The new case back is a game changer for me, however, so I want to buy just the sapphire case back as an upgrade! Too bad serial numbers are machined into the original case backs :( I do think the tang buckle is an improvement because the AP logo deployant used to dig

Ed Watches

Oct 2, 2014

Cool pieces

Both versions are really cool! On the comfort side, I wonder what are the users concerns with the old folding clasp. The new tang buckle looks great, but as with most ROO tang buckles (including Divers’), these also have razor-sharp edges that may scratch the wrist. It’s hard to understand why AP does this, since a slightly more rounded finish on the edges would add ‘a lot’ of comfort, without changing anything in terms of design. Please don’t get me wrong: I would absolutely buy one of these ne