Audemars Piguet

When I think of motor racing and watches the first products that come to mind are AP’s Royal Oak racing series. After Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher is synonymous with Formula 1 for me. So AP and Shuey are a great combination that hopefully transcends watch marketing.

 

The Schumacher ROO comes in titanium (1000 pieces), rose gold (500 pieces) and platinum (100 pieces). Overall the design is purposeful and draws on some of the design features of the other ROO racing variants. The red highlights of the chronograph displays and date (which brings that recessed date forward, at least visually) and the two blue (for world Championships with Benetton) and five red (Ferrari) stars are fun for the initiated and a talking point for owners. The diameter is 44mm which is not small, but the watch hugs the wrist well. The ceremet bezel looks great and makes the bezel as hard and as scratch resistant as the sapphire crystal which is comforting for day-to-day wear.

 

Bravo to AP for having these watches available in Boutiques soon after the official launch. I walked into the Geneva AP Boutique and was able to try on the Pt and RG versions and then found the titanium version in a nearby AD. Perfect to be able to consolidate my opinion from the on-line images already posted here.

 

Aesthetically I prefer the blue/RG dial and blue rubber strap of the platinum version, but on the wrist I preferred the lighter titanium.

 

Andrew

 

Platinum Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher, Reference 26568PM.OO.A021CA.01

Cool titanium pusher guards and ceramic/titanium pushers

The rubber straps work very well to grip the wrist and balance the heavy watch ... 

Rose Gold Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher, Reference 26568OM.OO.A004CA.01

Complex faceted hour indices and gold hour and minute hands with the profile of an F1 car.

The movement colours look great with a skeletonised winding weight cut to resemble air intake ducts. The movement is a Cal. 3126/3840 running at 21,600vph with 55h power reserve.

Titanium Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher, Reference 26568IM.OO.A004CA.01

The usual complex case finishing we are familiar with from AP is present in spades. Surfaces are polished, brushed, anodised, frosted and microblasted.

The complex crown is cut to resemble a gear.

The platinum (l) and rose gold (r) Schumacher's ... 

Shows off the details very nicely, the titanium version looks amazing.

It is even more dynamic and special on the wrist than in photos.  This is not always true; I have sold watches from various brands over the years that dazzled in photos but fell a bit flat on the wrist.

Clearly, the MS ROO does not have that problem ;-)

Andrew, thank you for the detailed information and personal input.

Thanks Michael. The watch certainly has a lot of presence and looks impressive. I particularly like the layered effect with the bezel and the case. Great piece.

Andrew

Nice pics Andrew !

As I see from the pics, you have a pretty small wrist.The watch looks pretty big on your wrist.

How did it fit, AND look at your wrist ? (I have a small wrist too, 6.5 )

 

Watch diameter, thickness, weight, balance, fit and feel on the wrist all influence wearability. My wrist circumference is 18.5cm (approx. 7.5 inches) and I generally don't go past 42mm diameter watches.

I have always liked Offshores in pictures, but whenever I strap them on they are too big. Obviously these watches are designed to have PRESENCE on the wrist and the Schumacher's certainly do. I think the size (at 44mm) is fine and the rubber strap grips the wrist and you can wear the watch snuggly so it doesn't flop around.

For me the titanium version would be THE piece for wearability and comfort and I prefer the idea of driving an F1 car while wearing the lightest possible watch. But as I said, the blue strap and colour scheme of the platinum model is very cool.

If you have a small wrist it is critical to try these watches on for a period of time. Get to a Boutique, strap one on, and then spend 30 minutes looking at other watches. If you forget you are wearing it, and you like the look, then buy! ;-)

Hope that helps.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew,

I tought that your wrist would be alot smaller than 18,5cm , because the lugs seems to hang over, and the strap was closed at the last hole ...

I will see what I do, but I think I need to take a decision,cause maybe that  watch will be sold out quickly, or am I wrong ?

btw, what was the store that had the Ti ? Was it at the Kempinski hotel ?

These watches are amazing in person.

didn't sit well on my wrist, but the most irritating thing to my weathered eyes are the absurd looking oversized allen screw like heads.