Some thoughts on the AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver
Fitted on a wide rubber strap and secured with a tang buckle, a new level of comfort was achieved. Now known simply as the "Diver strap", many AP fans have selected this strap and buckle to pair with other AP Offshores.
When I hear the words "dive watch", the first thing I recall is the necessary rotating bezel. Most common, this rotating bezel sits atop the watch and is mounted on a mechanism which allows it to be directly turned by the user. Never one to follow the norm, AP instead elected to mount the Diver's rotating bezel inside the watch case. This offers a huge advantage of not allowing it to be accidentally moved once set, as it is rotated by using the extra locking crown at 10:00. I quite enjoy the interesting aesthetic this extra crown creates as well, as most watches do not have a crown located in this position.
Typical Audemars Piguet finishing seems even more apparent with a black dial and other accents. With all of the rubber components being black, the watch has a wonderful balance. In addition, I feel the "simple" dial layout and colors go a long way to emphasizing the beauty of the Royal Oak Offshore case.
With a 300m water resistance, this version features a rather massive steel caseback. It is much more common nowadays to see manufacturers fit open casebacks on all or most of their watches, but in my humble opinion, all dive watches should have solid casebacks.
As we know, AP has released several new versions of this Offshore Diver the past few years. Forged carbon case with ceramic bezel, black ceramic cased with orange accents, white ceramic cased with blue accents, and strangely my favorite, the tantalum and pink gold QEII. But we cannot speak strongly enough about the original steel diver, which thankfully is still produced today. This one offers strong Royal Oak DNA in the necessary and robust Royal Oak Offshore case. It utilizes AP's manufacture caliber 3120 and is supplied on a superb strap. Exceptionally crafted; it is a striking timepiece. Really nothing we would change on this one, and that makes for an outstanding long term watch.
A valuable summary and reference-Well Done
This is a fine overview of an often overlooked model line. It's great to have all of this information in a single-source reference for collectors and students of AP, especially in the case of a model that flies below the radar. Absent your study, this much background on the Diver could have consumed hours what with all the research of old trade show releases, forum posts, magazine reviews, and the like.
More than a great resource, it's a smooth and entertaining read. Well done!
Best,
Tim
Thank you Tim. Truth is I owe you a little more.
Nice pictures Michael!
Hi Ernesto, thanks for reading the article.
It was so enjoyable to read this article and revisit the Diver
When I read or hear the words "The Diver," it is this specific watch among all divers across all brands that comes to my mind. The AP Diver is that powerful a design IMHO.
I owned this watch for a while, but sadly had to let it go to fund another watch and because I was re-focusing my collection a bit at the time. I may very well get another Diver down the road, as I miss this one a lot. I had only two reservations regarding the Diver. One was that I sometimes had to slightly turn the crown when pushing it in after setting the time in order to avoid the minute hand jumping ahead a bit. I think this may be a characteristic of the 3120 movement, and it is a small matter but it bothered me slightly.
The other issue for me common to most Offshores, at least from my personal experience, is the size and, in particular the height, of the watches resulting in my easily banging the watch into tables and door frames. The steel and other metal bezels on the Offshores can be real scratch and ding magnets for a clumsy guy like me. I am way too fussy to tolerate much in the way of blemishes especially on the beautiful bezels of the Offshores. And this is especially true of the Diver because I regard it as the most beautiful dive watch there I and I would want to keep it pristine. That said, it is a diving watch, is intended to be used as a tool watch and yours truly should probably just chill out about keeping the watch looking mint.
But I have wondered what the Diver would look like with a rubberclad bezel as a way to address the steel bezel's vulnerabilities. I am not sure it would appear quite as beautiful to me in rubber. The design of the original version is, well, perfect from an esthetical point of view if not from a performance perspective, given my two criticisms.
I do regard the Diver as one of, if not, the most compelling watches to have been released by AP in the past several years. Your review, Michael, captures the essence of what makes this such a fine watch.
Here is mine.
And, yes, I do miss The Diver.
Best,
respo
Insightful reply, thank you Respo
Great summary
A great watch to really be considered in AP range.
I personaly love , I'm just afraid it to be a little bit fragile for a Diving watch! is it really or not?
My favourite is the black ceramic cased with orange accents but I have real difficulties to find it!
Wonderful photo Duf!
nice feed back
I need to try it as we also can find some very good deals in second hand!
Dont hesitate as I did...
The first time I tried this watch on my wrist, the AD offered it to me at very friendly price but it didn't pull the trigger. I wouldn't necessarily say that I regret that decision, as I used the funds for another 'noble watch purpose' . But if I could find this Diver again for a truly good price (from an AD), I wouldn't think twice to bring it home.
Great review Michael