Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor

MichaelC · 2014-01-16T09:36:31Z

Explore the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor. MichaelC details its aggressive design, unique features, and polarizing crown guards. A must-read for AP collectors.

MichaelC

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

21 replies9330 views7 photos

MichaelC offers an in-depth look at the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor, a watch he considers a standout "novelty" due to its aggressive yet subdued all-black design. His detailed analysis highlights the unique design elements that set the Survivor apart, from its distinctive case holes and ceramic bezel to its firearm muzzle-break inspired crown and polarizing pusher guards. MichaelC's post serves as a valuable resource for understanding the intricate craftsmanship and bold aesthetic of this iconic Offshore reference.

With new novelties presumably just around the corner at SIHH, I am always reminded of a favorite AP "novelty" watch, the Royal Oak Offshore Survivor. This watch was not launched at SIHH, but rather in its own unique way at a series of simultaneous worldwide events.

Certainly one of the most identifiable Offshores to date, it has an aggressive design, slightly subdued by its all black appearance. The case utilizes a blackened titanium case and has a striped ceramic bezel.

There are many design elements that remain unique to the Survivor. The case holes at 7:30 and 10:30, the bezel, the pushers and pusher guards, the crown, the hands, the trigger shaped hour indices, the font and subdials, the holes tapped into the plots, etc. Really an original design, and I am most pleased that AP has decided against re-using these details on subsequent offerings.

A very small touch of red on the continuously running small seconds hand is the only bit of color used on the watch.

From the side you get a better look at the ceramic bezel. The finishing on the ceramic is as good as it gets.

Also notice the very cool case bump-out. Milled right into the titanium caseband, this "protection" feature is really cool. In fact, after you wear a Survivor for a while, you feel other Offshores and Oaks are missing something on that side of the case when you first put them on. Of course the Grand Prix has its exhaust shaped bump-out, but it is executed very differently, and I prefer the way the Survivor's detail covers the entire thickness of the case.

Things get a bit more intriguing on the crown side of the case. The architecture here is very interesting with blocky chunks of metal and numerous perforated areas. The crown is one of my favorite details on this watch. Simulating a firearm muzzle break, it has a ton of detail on it.

I have always liked AP's round pushers on the 42mm Offshore line. The Survivor's pushers are also round, but with a tapered profile. The pusher guards remain a very polarizing design element for most - you either like them or your don't. Designed to prevent accidental activation of the pushers, the guards attach to the case at the lug ends. They then flip open to allow access to the pusher, and then close with a simple push. If you have never picked up a Survivor and get an opportunity to do so, pay attention to the unique feel this operation offers. Very precise and crisp. As I recall, AP worked very hard on executing this operation.

Here seen in the open position. On the hinge side you can see an indent in the case. That small piece of metal is spring loaded and actually flexes and pushes on the guard as it is manipulated and locked it into the open or closed position. You will also see a small rubber bump stop drilled into the crown protection area, which the guard parks against in the closed position.

The Survivor was originally fitted with the Survivor rubber strap of course. I have found that wide rubber strap perfectly suited to other Offshores as well, and I have almost gone completely away from AP's deployant buckle and straps. On the Survivor itself, it remains the best option without question. But, creative minds always like to tinker

Some of you might remember the "Black Widow"...

With the various holes and facets abound on this watch, it is always interesting to see in different lighting conditions.

Many were never able to embrace this audacious design by Audemars Piguet. And that is perfectly OK, and very preferable anyways IMO. But everyone can agree that with this watch, AP really delivered an original design, and it remains as unique today as when it was first presented in 2008. Not so many pieces we can say that about.

Here's hoping that AP brings forth some new watches as original as the Royal Oak Offshore Survivor

This message has been edited by MichaelC on 2014-01-16 09:37:01 This message has been edited by MichaelC on 2014-01-16 09:38:08

Key Points from the Discussion

The Royal Oak Offshore Survivor is a polarizing piece, representing a high-water mark for AP's stylistic audacity from the mid-2000s, and its extremity retains power because the brand has not overexposed similar designs.
Despite its aggressive design, often nicknamed 'The Beetle,' the Survivor is surprisingly comfortable to wear, and its unique features, like the ribbed ceramic bezel and trigger-shaped indices, make it a highly desirable and collectible reference.
The Survivor's caseback, with its unique 'grippy' guilloche and awesome level of detail, is a standout feature that rivals other notable casebacks like the Wempe Diver.
The author expresses contentment with the original Survivor and hopes AP does not release a sequel, though acknowledges that the idea has been considered by Octavio Garcia and a long-term sequel is not entirely out of the question.
The watch features a tiny bit more color than just the red seconds hand; if one looks closely into the two small holes on each lug 'connector,' additional colors can be seen.
The Survivor is considered by some to be the most interesting Offshore, pushing the original Royal Oak concept to an extreme in a serious and well-conceived manner, though future high-concept Offshores of this vein are doubted.

The Discussion

Jester

Jan 16, 2014

Remind me to dig mine out over the weekend. Actually there're a tiny bit more colour on the watch: On the two little holes on each of the lug 'connector' that connects the watch head w/ the strap, if you look straight into the holes, with sufficient lightings, you can see colour

MichaelC

Jan 16, 2014

And alas, the very first Purist has the answer! Well done Sir :-)

amanico

Jan 16, 2014

They organized an event for that one. Not a consensual Watch, for sure, as it is most often the case for a Watch which has a lot of character. And, as you said, it is a good thing. Thanks for the article, Michael. Best, Nicolas

Tony-GB

Jan 16, 2014

...I remember the hype surrounding this piece and the mixed reviews it received. I'm still not a fan of the crown guards- they remind me of paper clips and I wish the subdials were all the same (lighter) colour. One thing is the date font. Because of the unique features on this piece I thought angular font would be more appropriate. But as you pointed out in your excellent review, it has alot going for it, but one thing you left out Michael was the caseback. That wonderful caseback rivals the We

respo

Jan 16, 2014

It remains my favorite Offshore of all time. It still thrills me to see it, especially when so beautifully photographed as you have done here. To me the Survivor is by far the most interesting of the Offshores having taken the original Royal Oak concept to an extreme but in a very serious, well-conceived manner. But I doubt we will see again another high-concept Offshore in this vein. AP has changed its direction with the Royal Oaks and Offshores, which may in fact be a good thing for both the c

MichaelC

Jan 17, 2014

This stock photo is the best I have handy. Even in this small shot you can see the awesome level of detail, in addition to the unique "grippy" caseback guilloche. I like you idea for the date font too. Appreciate your input my Friend.

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Audemars Piguet forum with 21 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum