Up close and personal with the new AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph.
TonyR
I had the opportunity to attend an AP event here in NYC last week and as with all AP events that I have ever attended, it was first class all the way. Currently the boutique is in a temp space across the street on 57th so I didn't get many pictures of the inside (it still looks very nice in there btw!) but speaking with Mr. Xavier Nolot the re-modeled space is set to open this September. I am very much looking forward to checking out that update!
I am a huge fan of the mid to late 2000 versions of IWC's Aquatimers this is the first diving watch since then that gives me the same level of excitement. Being an AP dare I say even more exciting?............
Well I can safely say that I have finally found a diver's watch that has topped those older Aquatimers in my eyes! As I said earlier, it's pretty much a perfect diving watch. The only thing missing for me is a bracelet option. The rubber strap does look great and is comfortable on the wrist................................
I love it as an option to mix up the look of the watch, but It's hard for me to own a Royal Oak with out that masterpiece of a bracelet as an option............
Here are some wrist shots of the two other models in attendance, they are very nice as well and a great way to diversify a collection..............
Speaking with a rep there that night they will have a bracelet available for this watch it just hasn't been confirmed yet. With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the 42mm offshore bracelets didn't fit already. I hope you enjoyed the thoughts and photos, the blue dial version has definitely been added to my list!
What I did want to focus on while I was there is the new AP Diver Chrono. They had 3 out of the 4 versions at the boutique that night. The green dial, which I was told is limited to 50 pieces, was the only piece from this new collection not in attendance....................
As a sucker for both chronographs and divers its pretty much impossible from me to not like this watch. This piece is almost perfect to me and In my estimation AP did two things right with this design. The first being that they kept the case size at 42 mm's which is so much more wearable to most people than a 44mm plus sized watch. Secondly, aside from aesthetics, the other feature I really love is the open display case back which is somewhat uncommon for a diver's watch. All of the watches were covered in plastic wrapping that night so I didn't get a chance to photograph the backs but take my word for it, the movement is beautiful.
As a sucker for both chronographs and divers its pretty much impossible from me to not like this watch. This piece is almost perfect to me and In my estimation AP did two things right with this design. The first being that they kept the case size at 42 mm's which is so much more wearable to most people than a 44mm plus sized watch. Secondly, aside from aesthetics, the other feature I really love is the open display case back which is somewhat uncommon for a diver's watch. All of the watches were covered in plastic wrapping that night so I didn't get a chance to photograph the backs but take my word for it, the movement is beautiful.
My favorite of the 4 new Diver Chronographs was this blue dial version..............
I am a huge fan of the mid to late 2000 versions of IWC's Aquatimers this is the first diving watch since then that gives me the same level of excitement. Being an AP dare I say even more exciting?............
Well I can safely say that I have finally found a diver's watch that has topped those older Aquatimers in my eyes! As I said earlier, it's pretty much a perfect diving watch. The only thing missing for me is a bracelet option. The rubber strap does look great and is comfortable on the wrist................................
I love it as an option to mix up the look of the watch, but It's hard for me to own a Royal Oak with out that masterpiece of a bracelet as an option............
Here are some wrist shots of the two other models in attendance, they are very nice as well and a great way to diversify a collection..............
Speaking with a rep there that night they will have a bracelet available for this watch it just hasn't been confirmed yet. With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the 42mm offshore bracelets didn't fit already. I hope you enjoyed the thoughts and photos, the blue dial version has definitely been added to my list!
Tony
This message has been edited by TonyR on 2016-07-24 13:46:38
Comments:
Alkiro1 July 24th, 2016-14:21
I had the chance to see all these models in the AP Geneva flagship some weeks ago and they are very beautiful indeed Best wishes Alkiro
TonyR July 24th, 2016-14:25
You saw the green one then?.............. Which variant was your favorite? Tony
Alkiro1 July 24th, 2016-14:47
Yes I know... I was fortunate ;-) In fact, I was there just to pick up one of my AP after a service and the AP team presented me these new models. I think my favourite one is the yellow model. Of course and especially for these different APs, that is always difficult to say why as tastes ...
amanico July 24th, 2016-14:54
the blue is the most versatile, I think. Thanks for the report, Tony.
TonyR July 24th, 2016-15:08
Agreed......... The blue dial is the most versatile and will look great with the bracelet. Tony
BABKA July 24th, 2016-15:54
Very cool and thanks for sharing! I, for one, would go for the yellow version.
TonyR July 24th, 2016-16:08
I liked all three but........... I think the corresponding straps to the green, orange, and yellow variants are a little to much for me. With that being said a dark strap or bracelet I bet would look great on all 4 of them. Tony
BABKA July 27th, 2016-15:34
That would certainly tone it down. Although, now vibrant colors are in and offer quite a bit of pop!
TonyR July 27th, 2016-16:58
I think adding pop........... With those straps is a bit of an understatement! Tony
ThomasM July 25th, 2016-12:05
thanks, Tony! nice to see some pics of the various colors and wristshots. like Pokemon, I'm feeling like I "gotta get them all" lol
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A close look at the Audemars Piguet Jumbo 14802 in platinum
foversta
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to meet the owner of a very rare watch: the Royal Oak Jumbo 14802 in platinum. Indeed, we don't see such watch on every street corner because only 8 pieces were produced. The history behind this particular Jumbo is very interesting to tell and it explains the reason why the movement is not decorated what seems to be very strange for a high-end watch! The superb dial: The Jumbo 14802 in platinum was designed in the context of the 125th anniversary of Audemars Piguet which was celebrated in 2000. Several prototypes were created the year before to be presented to dealers and distributors to test the market reactions.
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