Reimagined Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Collection

[hanz079]

A few months back, APs new CEO mentioned that there will be a "re-imagining" of the then 42mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph line...

During the recent SIHH2014, they finally released pics and specs.
These 4 models are the "reimagined" ones...



Stainless steel slate grey dial with black subdials on black hornback strap. (New Black Themes?)



Stainless steel ivory/cream dial with chocolate subdials and brown hornback strap. (New Safari?)



Stainless steel black dial and subdial with red accents on grey hornback with red stitching. (Racing dial?)



Stainless steel blue dial with white subdials and yellow (according to AP spec sheet) accents on blue rubber strap. (Some are calling it the new navy and some calling it the royal blue)


Changes are welcomed in these 4 models.

Most people have been screaming for display casebacks. They delivered, all the new 42mm ROOs are fitted with sapphire display backs.

Some ppl (like me) are skeptical of the rubber pushers and crowns... replacement costs... durability and etc.
Again, they delivered... Now all the crown and pushers are ceramic.

Hands are now faceted for better legibility... looks to be the same like the hands fitted on the 44mm Offshores.

Crownguards are redesigned and now look more modern and up to date... just something about those lines.

What they did not do is fit the these new 42mm Offshores with ceramic bezels.
Thinking about it logically, i think it's a wise choice.
If they do fit these models with a ceramic models, it will push the price around the 44mm offshore range.
They keep the all stainless steel setup and keep the pricing around the same as the current (now previous) ROO 42mm range so that the entry cost for potential 1st time buyers is not too stiff (as if it's not already stiff... lol)
Those who still want a 42mm Offshore with ceramic bezels still have a choice (albeit limited) in the Limited Editions like the Doha LE, Ginza 7 LE, Sebastian Buemi LE and so on...

Some are also requesting it's time AP made a fully integrated chrono instead of the current modular setup using the caliber 3120 as the base... well... it didn't happen.
For obvious reasons I guess?
Launching a new in house integrated chrono movement will push prices high up again...
I think the best way for them to introduce new movement is with the 44mm Offshores first (since theyy are already expensive to begin with) and gradually trickle down the 42mm range.

I am quite excited with the release but these are not something that can be bought on a whim...
My current fav looks to be the Racing Dial ROO...

What about you guys?

[Godzillaz]

I'm still stuck in the past. I prefer the old skool offshore.

ie EOD and Polaris 

Is nice to see AP doing some upgrade on the line thou albeit tiny ones. 

Regard
Tyler

[hanz079]

I'm still stuck in the past. I prefer the old skool offshore.

ie EOD and Polaris 

Is nice to see AP doing some upgrade on the line thou albeit tiny ones. 

Regard
Tyler

Woah... you're not only old skool... but high end as well...
Both those models come at a hefty price tag...
Well... I am after all a "modernist"... go for the modern interpretation...

[JOS2012]

Though I find the AP ROO very attractive as a sports watch, a few issues still holds me back.

The raised bezel is literally begging to be knocked against doors, chairs ,what have you. Hence a ceramic or forged carbon would be a better choice but the cost is prohibitive.
The RO being less tall, is less prone but still extreme care has to be taken.

I feel that ROO pricing has been manipulated (goreng being a local word) due to the 'endorsements' by the 'noveau rich' like rappers, basketball, tennis, golf players who earn millions and to them this is just pocket change.
Likewise the never ending 'Limited Editions' for 'stars' with nothing more than colours, materials being substituted.
The value/price factor is hard to swallow but it may be sour grapes in my case.
The chronos are still using a DD module on the base AP caliber. Most top brands are integrated chronos hence slimmer and designed from the ground up instead of an add on by a 3rd party. For this kind of pricing and even lower, most of the reputable competitors offer new in-house integrated chronos.
Again AP is able to milk the popularity of the ROO, so they'd be stupid not to. Perhaps the 'stars' who endorse ROOs don't bother or don't know the difference. AP may be on a brilliant marketing campaign to target the 'right' buying crowd with unlimited money. AP is where FM was many years ago. I wonder if this bubble will ever burst.

Against the above, I've heard first hand from a mwf member, about the excellent 'after sales service of AP' which is about the best I've heard of to-date.

The last piece stainless blue dial on the blue rubber strap looks awfully gorgeous on one hand but against that.. the  steel bezel.....(wonder if AP allows a switch of bezels to ceramic)....and the DD module chrono..

Life is just so tough sometimes......
   

[el118]

"Reimagined" ? what a word. they have run out of world of special edition, anniversary version, special tribute...

[jason_recliner]

Thankfully these do absolutely nothing for me, as they are WELL above my pay grade!

[davidtth]

love this model a lot ! especially the rubber part replaced with ceramic, with see thru back nice golden rotor and very strong color combination makes the watch really beautiful and stand out

but hack for the price of steel... 

[hanz079]

Though I find the AP ROO very attractive as a sports watch, a few issues still holds me back.

The raised bezel is literally begging to be knocked against doors, chairs ,what have you. Hence a ceramic or forged carbon would be a better choice but the cost is prohibitive.
The RO being less tall, is less prone but still extreme care has to be taken.

I feel that ROO pricing has been manipulated (goreng being a local word) due to the 'endorsements' by the 'noveau rich' like rappers, basketball, tennis, golf players who earn millions and to them this is just pocket change.
Likewise the never ending 'Limited Editions' for 'stars' with nothing more than colours, materials being substituted.
The value/price factor is hard to swallow but it may be sour grapes in my case.
The chronos are still using a DD module on the base AP caliber. Most top brands are integrated chronos hence slimmer and designed from the ground up instead of an add on by a 3rd party. For this kind of pricing and even lower, most of the reputable competitors offer new in-house integrated chronos.
Again AP is able to milk the popularity of the ROO, so they'd be stupid not to. Perhaps the 'stars' who endorse ROOs don't bother or don't know the difference. AP may be on a brilliant marketing campaign to target the 'right' buying crowd with unlimited money. AP is where FM was many years ago. I wonder if this bubble will ever burst.

Against the above, I've heard first hand from a mwf member, about the excellent 'after sales service of AP' which is about the best I've heard of to-date.

The last piece stainless blue dial on the blue rubber strap looks awfully gorgeous on one hand but against that.. the  steel bezel.....(wonder if AP allows a switch of bezels to ceramic)....and the DD module chrono..

Life is just so tough sometimes......
 

Well, I do agree with some of your concerns.
The ambassadors and people AP is grouped with is not my favourite too.
That's why I am utterly flabbergasted in finding out that Mr.Jean Claude Biver is helming the position of "Head of Watchmaking" for the LVMH brands... which in it... my favourite brand Zenith... 
So, can I expect the same styles being employed at Hublot... be implemented at Zenith? Hope not. Fingers Crossed.
As for AP... the sleek Royal Oaks are still the model to get.
The ROOs are those being pounded with countless Limited Editions and so on...
The Offshores are targeted at the more younger and trendier demographic.
But it's not too say middle age chaps like us can't appreciate it's beauty.
I very much would like to own one someday... if my finances permit me too...

I for one value after sales service... and like you, I am delighted to have heard the after sales sevice story from our MWF member. It does make owning a piece more stress free as you know that you will be taken care of.

The steel bezel... yes... very very prone to scratches... it doesn't help as it is not polished the katana way.
But thankfully, scrathes (except really deep ones) are hardly noticeable from the usual distance we view it from.

As for prices being manipulated...
In 1972 when the Royal Oak 1st launched... it was sold at around 3k swiss francs.
During the same time, Rolex Submariners were around 300 swiss francs.
I would say that their pricing is still ok.
Let's not get started on PAM prices.
But as with all things, value is subjective.
They will price their products at whatever the market can bear...

As for the movements... I would have to agree.
When Tudor uses a piggyback module... everyone complains.
When AP uses them... ppl seem to keep quiet.
I for one think it is time for AP to come up with their very own integrated chrono movement.
Use some exotic materials, cook up some technical prowess spec sheet and charge an arm and a leg... the rich ppl don't care since it's spare change anyway...
For ppl like me, I just hope my pay can catch up with the price increases... (i can hear ppl saying "Fat Chance buddy!!!)... hehehe

[Yikkie]

I totally agree with the reservations of Jos and Han.  Paying so much money for a DD piggyback chrono module is a big turnoff for me.  I also happen to think that the movement (albeit nicely finished) is way too small for the case which is now visible through the transparent case back.  I still have my eyes fixated on a blue dial RO.

[el118]

As for prices being manipulated...
In 1972 when the Royal Oak 1st launched... it was sold at around 3k swiss francs.
During the same time, Rolex Submariners were around 300 swiss francs.
I would say that their pricing is still ok.

Seemed like Rolex is fast catching up.... in "Price".

And Omega is catching up to Rolex too

[dpkong]

I believe the design of the Offshore is meant to be highly noticeable, hence big and loud. Making it slimmer will reduce that "in your face" look! Before getting one, I read a lot of debates for and against the piggy-back DD module. Ultimately, I concluded it was a non-issue.

The bezel of the Offshore, and I believe the Royal Oak and that of the Nautilus as well, will attract scratches easily due to the angled design. Ceramic bezels can eliminate that but ceramic will chip and replacement would be the only option while steel can be polished a few times before requiring replacement. Increased prices would be another disadvantage. I say it's a good move to leave the ceramic bezel for the 44mm Offshore. Just for that bezel and display back, larger case and new pusher design made the 44mm RM20k+ more than the 42mm.

As for the small movement in a big case, the same applies to the 3120 in a 15400 Royal Oak which is 41mm. And a new in-house movement would be another excuse to raise prices which would make the Offshore further out of reach for many.

All in, I think the new 42mm Offshore range is wonderful. Refreshing colour options, ceramic pushers, display back, new hands with a re-designed crown card at nearly the same price as the older 42mm      A ceramic bezel would be nice but not a deal breaker for me.

Never liked black dials yet attracted to that 'racing dial' but love the 'royal blue' more. Clever move with black/red so as not to clash with the current panda model. And making the chrono hands having the same colours is a nice touch.

Now the only problem is upgrade or addition... 

[Godzillaz]

My RO have been with me for a few years. I didn't experience the so call scratches on the bezel.

On the contrary my daytona attract scratch like fried food drawing fat man.

Regard
Tyler

[Laktos Kid]

ahh, distance dream   

[el118]

My RO have been with me for a few years. I didn't experience the so call scratches on the bezel.

On the contrary my daytona attract scratch like fried food drawing fat man.

Regard
Tyler

Probably thickness of the case play a part.

[harkensng]

My RO have been with me for a few years. I didn't experience the so call scratches on the bezel.

On the contrary my daytona attract scratch like fried food drawing fat man.

Regard
Tyler

Some pictutres of the ap ro please..

God bless
Harken

[chrisyen]

My RO have been with me for a few years. I didn't experience the so call scratches on the bezel.

On the contrary my daytona attract scratch like fried food drawing fat man.

Regard
Tyler

Probably thickness of the case play a part.

daytona cant be thicker than ROO?

[el118]

My RO have been with me for a few years. I didn't experience the so call scratches on the bezel.

On the contrary my daytona attract scratch like fried food drawing fat man.

Regard
Tyler

Probably thickness of the case play a part.

daytona cant be thicker than ROO?

Is RO, not ROO.

[2ndOpinion]

Caseback displays? Great. Seems like any watch that's worth it's salt has to have such a display.
42mm? Hmmm....unless it's designed to differentiate, why split hairs with a more striking 44mm?

[dpkong]

Caseback displays? Great. Seems like any watch that's worth it's salt has to have such a display.
42mm? Hmmm....unless it's designed to differentiate, why split hairs with a more striking 44mm?

For most Asian wrists, a 42mm ROO (which wears like a 44mm) is about as large as we can wear.

[dpkong]

Looking at the macros of the new 42mm, AP is very clever with design. While they have added the display back with ceramic pushers and crown, the dial colours and tang buckle are a step back. Initially, I thought the new Navy looks nice but now leaning towards the black with red hands. Looks like the old Navy is not leaving anytime soon.

The reason I say AP is clever with design is because none of the new models replace the older models when it comes to striking dials.