Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Review

Horologically_minded shares a deeply personal one-year review of his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver, acquired to commemorate his daughter's birth. His narrative beautifully intertwines significant life milestones with the journey of discovering and ultimately choosing this iconic timepiece, offering a candid look at the emotional and practical considerations of luxury watch ownership.

I will be commemorating several milestones in Aug 2015.  My country (Singapore) will be observing 50 years of independence.  My daughter will be celebrating her first birthday.  And it will also be one year since I bought my AP Diver.

It was my Dad who first introduced me to the world of watch collecting when he gave me his Yacht Master Blue a couple of years ago. Prior to that, I had been wearing my trusty Seiko Kinetic – which I bought when I was 18 – for almost a decade.  There were always a bunch of watch magazines and books around the house but I never got into my dad’s hobby until the Yacht Master.  Suddenly, I understood

I starting reading different websites and forums like PuristsPro to learn more about watches.  When my wife was expecting our daughter, I decided to buy a watch to mark her birth.

I was so convinced that I was going to purchase a JLC Deep Sea Chronograph in SS.  It was well received in many reviews – Nicholas had written extensively here about both the steel and cermet versions.  One day after my daughter was born, I went to the mall across from the hospital and was prepared to get it.

Unfortunately, the AD at the mall did not have it in stock.  As it was a holiday weekend (National Day), the sales rep could only check with JLC on stock availability the next week. 

“Have you considered the AP Diver?” The sales rep fished it out from the display cabinet and laid it before me.  There was no turning back.  There was just something about the AP Diver that captivated me intellectually and emotionally.  You know what I mean – it’s just hard to put in words. 

Then I asked about the price...and balked.  The Royal Oak’s price tag was stunning four decades ago and it (the AP diver in this case) still causes jaws to drop today, including mine.  What floored me was not so much the quantum per se but more of what AP was asking for steel.

I said I’d think about it and left.  Think about it I did.  I couldn’t get it out of my head!  From the immaculate brushed finishing to how the hour markers and the hands sparkle in the light.  But that price...

I managed to hunt down an example in a second-hand dealer.  It was several months old at a fair price.  I scrutinized it for flaws and there were none.  I asked to inspect the papers and then I saw it.  Lo and behold, the watch was dated on my wedding anniversary!  I could not have scripted it more perfectly!

That was one year ago.  The watch has been all I expected and more.  I began to appreciate its versatility – the AP Diver can be dressed up or down easily and it works with both casual outfits as well as with a suit.

It has been a great journey.  I discovered new characteristics such as the “wet look” of the dial...  I inadvertently gave the bezel its first (and only) scratch...  I’ve contemplated adding a metal bracelet or hornback strap to its wardrobe...  

This one is definitely a keeper!