AP Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph

MichaelC · 2013-11-26T13:18:23Z

Explore MichaelC's long-term review of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph, a pioneer in forged carbon. Discover its durability, comfort, and unique design insights.

MichaelC

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

21 replies7881 views6 photos

MichaelC's retrospective on his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph offers a valuable long-term perspective on a landmark timepiece. This article delves into the pioneering use of forged carbon in watchmaking and its real-world durability, a topic that remains highly relevant for collectors interested in exotic materials and their performance over time. MichaelC shares his personal experiences with the watch's comfort, scratch resistance, and unique design elements, providing insights that new and seasoned collectors alike will appreciate.

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I thought I would share a few photos of my old Alinghi Team Chronograph. This watch remains so original in design, and it was AP's entrance into using the polarizing material for the watch case and bezel.

A few of these photos show the watch with the AP hornback strap and ceramic attachment plots. The watch looks so awesome on this strap, and the texture of the crocodile skin really works against the "modeled" look of forged carbon.

There was discussion early on about the sharpness of forged carbon. My sample had rather perfectly manufactured parts that fit together as they should. If there was one area I did not like on the watch, it was the attachment of the crystal to the bezel, which was accomplished using a glue. I remember the side of mine was not as clean as the rest of the bezel.

The Alinghi is superbly comfortable, and so light you frequently forgot it was on. The rubber strap offered a very unique attachment for an AP, as it did not utilize the typical plots. The top of the strap itself was shaped to be inserted directly into the case.

I owned mine for a while and wore it hundreds of times. The edges of my case and bezel never softened, as I have seen on other samples. That likely comes down to how you wear your watch. I can only recall "banging" a nice watch once or twice in 10+ years to a point where I could immediately identify a ding or deep scratch. Luckily, I never had such contact with the Alinghi.

I will say that I found forged carbon extremely scratch resistant. Whereas other polished and brushed metal watches commonly acquire "hairlines" and "swirlies", forged carbon certainly does not.

I remember wearing the watch to an event in NYC later in 2007 and 2 attending friends had the same watch on. At the time, the watch was still in the earlier phases of distribution, so to see 3 together was a bit rare.

Now 6 years later since the launch of the Alinghi Team Chronograph in 2007, we have seen the material used numerous times. No doubt AP has learned more of its properties and how to best utilize the material. I think this watch shows the height of AP's audacity in design, and I always respected the brand for bringing us this wicked material.

How it will continue to be used in the future remains a point of interest for me. Obviously, 2013 showed us some new cases executed in ceramic, and for sure that material's properties really showcase AP's superb finishing abilities. But forged carbon has its own unique set of properties, and I certainly hope to see it used again in the future.

Key Points from the Discussion

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph is recognized as a milestone in horology for its pioneering use of forged carbon, despite some design quirks like the glued crystal and integrated strap plots.
The Alinghi model's durability as a regular wearer is commendable, and newer forged carbon iterations with ceramic bezels offer an improved combination of modern materials. Replacement forged carbon cases are also reasonably priced, offering peace of mind regarding long-term durability.
The wide rubber strap and tang buckle design contribute significantly to the watch's comfort, making it one of the most comfortable large watches to wear, a deliberate and successful design choice by AP.
Forged carbon is noted for its exceptional scratch resistance, performing better than polished and brushed metal watches in avoiding common hairlines and swirls.
The Alinghi's design, with its minimal 'bling' beyond polished bezel screws, served as an effective canvas for experimenting with new strap attachment mechanisms.
While forged carbon is terrific, other materials might wear better for individuals who frequently expose their watches to potential impacts.

The Discussion

amanico

Nov 26, 2013

The ROO Orchard Road still stays my favourite ROO, with the Montoya in Titanium, I have to say. Cool to see this one again, nonetheless! Thanks for these nice pics, my friend. Best, Nicolas

D-

d-star

Nov 26, 2013

This one remains my favorite forged carbon piece .. the one that started it all.

social

Nov 26, 2013

...your first hand experience ease worries towards the durability of forged carbon. Thank you.

JerryW

Nov 26, 2013

I think the design of the strap and tang buckle make this one on the most comfortable large watches to wear. JerryW

orangedial

Nov 27, 2013

While I respect it as the pioneer of forged carbon timepiece, I share your sentiment on the glued crystal. I also wonder what is the rationale of having a special rubber straps with integrated plots… The watch would probably stand out more if the bezel screws are in polished SS material. However, there is no doubt that this Alinghi ROO is a milestone piece in the application of exotic material in horology. Thanks for the story and first-hand experience!

iammindgame

Nov 27, 2013

It's an amazing watch. Thanks for sharing.

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AP Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph

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