AP SIHH 2014: Royal Oak Offshore 42mm grey and black dials

Rounding out my personal look at Audemars Piguet's newest Royal Oak Offshore 42mm collection timepieces, let's look at the new grey and black dial variants.

I must admit when, when I first learned about AP's Royal Oak Offshore 42mm collection, I was most interested in the grey dial. As a self proclaimed lover of all things grey, this dial looks plain awesome to me. But in a very discreet way.

Aside from the white chrono counter hands, this dial is all grey or black. I really like how the blackened shroud around the date window balances things out. The numerals look especially crisp on this model.

Manufacture Caliber 3126 and the exhibition caseback:

Needless to say, the black ceramic crown and pushers are most at home on this variant.

Audemars Piguet has also selected the perfect shade of grey for the strap on this watch. After all, there must have been 50 choices

Seriously though, it looks very good, and the black stitching continues the design theme.

Certainly, owners of this dial will have other great options to play with (RB2 strap, Survivor black rubber, etc.), but in the end the grey alligator is very special.

Last but not least in the new collection is the black dial with red accents. Any skepticism I had about this watch was completely removed when I handled it. My concern stemmed solely from the use of red on black, a combination AP has used repeatedly in recent years. And as the previous editions have not disappointed at all (with the forged carbon Alinghi Team Chronograph still my personal favorite), neither does this one.

I hesitate to write that the color red is discreet, but on this watch it really is a subdued accent. I think the red markings along the tach ring are just right, and thin enough to not be overpowering.

The chrono counter hands are all red, making this one quickly legible for reading elapsed time measurements.

As I have mentioned, you really need to handle the new collection up close to appreciate AP's wonderful finishing of the ceramic pushers and crown.

As with the other strap models, a pin buckle secures things. The extra width versus the older deployant style straps is readily noticeable. I think all owners will find comfort with this design, and the look is more befitting the hefty and impressive case.

The black hornback alligator strap with red stitching is really perfect. A slightly sinister look on this serious timepiece.

I believe these 2 models of the new 42mm collection will prove immensely popular for AP. Versatile, comfortable, and discreet (especially on that grey dial). After trying them on, I still have a preference for the grey dial, but the black dial presents the wearer with a bit more visual excitement.

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As I already told you...

By: foversta : May 8th, 2014-15:31

The grey and blue versions get my vote. And I'm still thinking about the grey! Thanks for your post and pics. Fx

I expect to see you with one!

By: MichaelC : May 10th, 2014-08:51

I will also look forward to your thoughts on the 44mm black ceramic / anthracite dial Offshore, which I will soon post on. With regards to the 42mm collection Royal Oak Offshores, I would opt for the Safari model first and the grey dial second.

Thanks for your thoughts MichaelC.

By: M4 : May 10th, 2014-08:38

I have opined already that I think AP did a credible evolutionary revision of the iconic 42mm Offshore with these new introductions. Still, though, I find myself asking "what if," and specifically what if they had taken the ceramic elements one step furth...

Thanks for your reply M4.

By: MichaelC : May 10th, 2014-08:56

BTW, I love your new "agent" like handle :-) I think others have wondered the same about the bezel. And it would not surprise me at all if AP already has this option planned in the pipeline. Perhaps in a year or two we will see a ceramic bezel or maybe ev...

about ceramic bezel

By: Ed Watches : May 11th, 2014-13:05

Just some months before the launch of the 2014 collection, AP released a 42mm ROO LE dedicated to Doha with a titanium case and ceramic bezel. Never saw the watch in person, but it looks great on the few pictures I found on the Internet.

Same boat as you

By: mark1958a : May 10th, 2014-16:25

I recently purchased a new ROO 42mm and was trying to decide between the black and grey dials. I really liked the grey one for the reasons you mention. I also think it is quite unique in terms of color. I went back and forth in trying to decide what to do...

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