Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Carbon: A Collector's Review

maroufios · 2020-01-10T22:42:51Z

Explore the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Carbon. Maroufios reviews its comfort, high-tech materials, and value, with community insights on durability.

maroufios

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

7 replies3911 views13 photos

Maroufios's acquisition of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Carbon offers a compelling look into the practical considerations and aesthetic appeals of this high-tech reference. His detailed comparison to previous Offshore models and insights into the carbon case's unique properties provide valuable context for collectors considering a lightweight, robust luxury sports watch. This article delves into why this specific Diver model stands out in the AP lineup, particularly for those prioritizing comfort and innovative materials.

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A new acquisition from Orlando. I’ve been eyeing this watch for a while and prices have been creeping up the past year. Finally pulled trigger after having found a pristine example.

Why the diver ?

I had previously worn a chrono Offshore 42mm. While the size was okay for my wrist, the watch sat rather tall and the smaller strap and deplorable buckle meant that it never really sat flat on my wrist. Great to look at but just not comfortable for me. The bumblebee though lighter, would still not offer the best fit. The diver edition of the watch is slightly slimmer and with the standard strap wears much better on my wrist,

The carbon diver ?

My first and only high end black watch. The carbon case is light and the ceramic bezel is scratch proof. The carbon adds an interesting element as the random carbon pattern constantly changes with the light and angle of the watch.

This watch not only looks great, it mixes many high tech and traditional materials nicely (Carbon, Ceramic, Titanium, white gold). A full ceramic or carbon watch would be too monotone for me by comparison.

In pictures I had seen I thought the sharp angles on all AP cases would be lost with this material. While not as pronounced as on metal or ceramic cases, I’m happy to say that the case still displays the angles and edges quite nicely, even in carbon form. I tried to capture that in some of the pics here.

Now if they only made the same watch or similar with a GMT function, that would be interesting!

I do use the dive minute counter to set a reminder for upcoming events (gate closing for my latest flight for example), you can see that in one of the images below.

Some things I wish were done better:

-the lume isn’t that strong. Maybe it’s the watch or not enough time in the sun, but my Patek Pilot can be read from a mile away in the dark!

-the minutes hand jumps slightly when I push back in the crown, which is annoying when resetting the time with high precision.

I think that in the AP world, this represents good value for money compared to similar offerings that are available (carbon and ceramic offshores, all ceramic royal oaks).

Very happy overall, a cool and stealth looking AP for those who like and appreciate high tech manufacturing and materials.

Enjoy!

Key Points from the Discussion

The carbon and ceramic materials of this Diver model are expected to offer better scratch resistance compared to the steel versions, which some owners found prone to damage due to the watch's size.
An all-ceramic or all-carbon watch can appear too monotone, suggesting that the mix of carbon, ceramic, titanium, and white gold in this reference provides a more dynamic aesthetic.
To address the minute hand jumping when setting the time on AP movements like the 3120/3126, one can ease the crown back in the opposite direction before fully pushing it, which often reduces tension and keeps the hand in place.
Despite the lume not being as strong as on some other luxury watches, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Carbon remains an excellent and versatile sports watch.
While carbon and ceramic are inherently more fragile than steel, their application in this watch has been thoroughly tested, with many examples in circulation showing no issues.

The Discussion

maroufios

Jan 11, 2020

Carbon and ceramic are more fragile than steel, but the application has been tested and many out in the wild with no issues.

FlyingSnoopy

Jan 11, 2020

a very versatile watch... I agree with you regarding the lume, but it is an excellent sports watch Enjoy yours Cheers

MichaelC

Jan 11, 2020

Great photos and insight. I love the black and yellow version you bought. I wrote an article once on adjusting the time on various APs. If you get it adjusted exactly where you want and ease the crown back the other direction before pushing it in, there is commonly some play where the minute hand will not move and the tension is reduced. Push back in and it should stay put. At least that works when I adjust a 3120/3126.

respo

Jan 11, 2020

This is EXACTLY the next AP i am considering. It has been on my mind A LOT! Your photos are wonderful. I have owned the steel Diver twice and found the steel case and bezel just too easil scratched and damaged given the six]ze of the watch. I am hoping the ceramic and carbon fiber perform better. This version of the Diver looks amazing. I tried on the all ceramic with orange accents,, and i agrre with you that is too monotone. Thanks again for posting this. All the best, respo

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Carbon: A Collector's Review

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