MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
20778
AP SIHH2014: Royal Oak Offshore 42mm blue & ivory dials
I had the opportunity to handle Audemars Piguet's newest 2014 novelties this week at the AP Boutique in Bal Harbour, Florida. Some of our other PuristSPro Moderators have already shared some wonderful photos and insights on the new collections, and I am happy to now share my thoughts.
Let's start with the new Royal Oak Offshore 42mm blue dial, reference 26470ST.OO.A027CA.01.
Silverized subdials and orange accents distinguish this new blue dial from AP. The numerals are very crisp on all of the dial variants. Another big plus on a watch that utilizes a vibrant color, the chronograph timing hands are all the same. This has not always been the case on other AP Offshores, but it makes a lot of sense to me.
Of course, the biggest new detail on the 2014 42mm Royal Oak Offshore collection is the use of black ceramic for the crown and chrono pushers. It really looks great, and obviously fits the theme of refinement. These pieces are just super crisp in person.
Another noteworthy area is the crown guard assembly. The shape and design are updated and are very similar to the 44mm collection Royal Oak Ofshores. In 2012, we saw AP make efforts to harmonize the Royal Oak references, and now we see the same principle at play for the Offshore references.
An open caseback reveals the manufacture movement Calibre 3126/3840, standard on all of the new models.
The blue dial watch is supplied with a dark blue rubber strap and tang buckle. This buckle is not as wide as the previous tang buckles we have seen used on the Survivor, Diver, etc. but still provides for great comfort. During my photo session, I was told that a blue hornback with orange stitching will be available for purchase separately down the road.
If I have one concern about the blue dial Offshore, it is the legibility of the hour hand as it travels over the silverized counters. I briefly owned the previous Offshore with the closest dial to the new one, and that trait bothered me. The hands on the new version are faceted, and I believe that will help in this regard as they seem to catch more light.
All in all, this new blue dial 42mm Royal Oak Offshore is going to be very popular, and with good reason.
An open caseback reveals the manufacture movement Calibre 3126/3840, standard on all of the new models.
The blue dial watch is supplied with a dark blue rubber strap and tang buckle. This buckle is not as wide as the previous tang buckles we have seen used on the Survivor, Diver, etc. but still provides for great comfort. During my photo session, I was told that a blue hornback with orange stitching will be available for purchase separately down the road.
If I have one concern about the blue dial Offshore, it is the legibility of the hour hand as it travels over the silverized counters. I briefly owned the previous Offshore with the closest dial to the new one, and that trait bothered me. The hands on the new version are faceted, and I believe that will help in this regard as they seem to catch more light.
All in all, this new blue dial 42mm Royal Oak Offshore is going to be very popular, and with good reason.
Next, let's take a look at the newest "Safari" dial Offshore, reference number 26470ST.OO.A801CR.01. I will go ahead and begin my remarks on it by saying I now prefer this watch to the old Safari. It definitely took seeing the watch in person to be so convinced for me.
Previously, I had a little concern about the black ceramic pieces only being paired with the black date disc and window. I thought that maybe AP should have used black for the numerals too. And I gotta be honest, I would still like to see how that would look, leaving the rest of the dial as is. But overall, this new Safari is quite appealing in the flesh.
AP describes the dial color as "Ivory-toned". It definitely has more yellow in it than the outgoing model. As with the blue dial, the chrono hands are united in color, this time white.
Much of what made the original Safari so unique was the awesome brown hornback strap. Nothing different here, aside from the use of the steel tang buckle to fasten it.
A look back to the original. Did I say I prefer the new one?? Hmmm, maybe I am not sure again! The old version will now be a "classic" AP, and it is already cemented in AP Royal Oak Offshore lore.
This new dial really works with the clean and crisp lines of the case.
Between the new blue dial and ivory dial Offshores, I would definitely opt for the latter. It is even more unique now than it was before.
I wish to offer special thanks to the entire staff at the BHB (Bal Harbour Boutique). The level of service they provide is nothing short of exemplary, and they went out of their way to allow me time with each model. Thank you Friends!
