AP Royal Oak Offshore - Safari or a Rolex bimetal Daytona

[Charlie360]

Hi All - I was considering purchasing an AP ROO Safari (although I'm a little put off by the lack of Luminous hands and digits - so possibly a different ROO would be better) however I understand the basic price of all ROO has just gone up from £10.8K to £12.9K - making it almost twice the price of a bimetal Rolex Daytona - which has therefore suddenly entered the frame as far as I'm concerned. The downside from my perspective on the Rolex is that it's a bit common (if one can use that term with a Rolex!-)and a bit flashy and it's therefore a bit more obvious to the general masses what it is - I prefer the AP for a number of reasons - not least this, but am struggling to justify the price difference at the moment - so some input here would be very useful please!

[lowdrag]

If you want a watch that is easy to read day or night look at the IWC Spitfire chrono. Less common and less bling too. The black face with the propeller blade shaped hands does it for me.

[cyberface]

The Daytona is around 40 mm or maybe a tad less... I had a steel one and it was comfortable, unobtrusive and sat well on my wrist. I don't have huge wrists, so a sensible sized watch is essential. They are popular though and if you don't want to be sat on the train with 2 other guys wearing the same watch every day then probably best choose something a little more esoteric

The ROO is mental and completely barkingly different to a Daytona - they are huge and you'll struggle to fit one under shirt cuffs. They are also massively 'in your face' due to the size and shape, IMO.

You can get away with wearing a Daytona in pretty much any setting (unless you are ultra-formal) but the ROO is a touch big and lairy for subtlety IMO. Unless you have wrists like Arnie, in which case the ROO is probably a nice fit.

[Webber3]

cyberface said:

The ROO is mental and completely barkingly different to a Daytona - they are huge and you'll struggle to fit one under shirt cuffs. They are also massively 'in your face' due to the size and shape, IMO.

and it also looks like it was built as part of a school metalwork project . Go for the Daytona.

Edited by Webber3 on Thursday 22 May 00:30

[Charlie360]

Although I don't have massive wrists I'm fairly used to largish watches I've had a seamaster chrono (the one with the stop watch etc.) for the past 8 years or so and I believe the case on that is 42mm diameter (the ROO offshore being either 42 or 44mm depending upon where you look) so I wasn't expecting it to be enormously different - having said that I haven't tried one on so I dunno!
I guess the fact that you're likely to bump into a bunch of other people wearing the Rolex is the thing that puts me off - I'm guessing the build quality must be up there with the AP. The reason I mentioned the bimetal is that I've been led to believe that I can get one at relatively short notice unlike the S/S version - besides I have a plain S/S seamaster so wanted something that looked a little different.

Thanks for your thoughts please keep them coming - Does the build quality/finish of the AP justify it being twice the price of the Rolex - or is that just the price of the name and exclusivity?!

[bigsi]

Have you considered a Hublot Bigbang? take a look....

[Charlie360]

I have had a brief look at it, I guess my attraction to the AP is because of the yachting connections (being a sailor) specifically Alighi in recent times - perhaps I'll have a bit more of a look - I don't really know much about Hublot - is the big bang on a par with the ROO quality-wise if so it certainly seems much better value!

[Charlie360]

ps having said that I hadn't realised that Hublot had associations with Luna Rossa......

[cyberface]

Charlie360 said:

I have had a brief look at it, I guess my attraction to the AP is because of the yachting connections (being a sailor) specifically Alighi in recent times - perhaps I'll have a bit more of a look - I don't really know much about Hublot - is the big bang on a par with the ROO quality-wise if so it certainly seems much better value!

I thought Corum made a big deal about their yachting connections? Not my field I'm afraid so can't advise.

But I used to wear a Seamaster Chrono (yes it was a bit big for my wrist, but I was young and brash) but it kept such appalling time that I chopped it in for the 2000 Ltd Edition Schumacher Speedmaster I still have, which is half the size (!) and keeps proper time.

The AP ROOs are a LOT bigger on the wrist than the Seamaster Chrono....

[Winton]

Hublots are nowhere near the quality of AP. AP are truly different gear, one of the most respected watchmakers in the world. I would take the hand crafted, meticulously built AP over any watch mentioned if I could wear one, but they are truly enormous and until you try one on, it is only guesswork my friend.

[Charlie360]

Thanks for all the input - I guess I'd better go and get a better look at one - and try it for size - Any pointers as to where I might find one in London (I work at monument so somewhere close to there would be helpful!)

[Dominic H]

Charlie360 said:

Thanks for all the input - I guess I'd better go and get a better look at one - and try it for size - Any pointers as to where I might find one in London (I work at monument so somewhere close to there would be helpful!)

Charlie, if you're after viewing AP's or Hublot. The best store for viewing is 'Marcus' in Old Bond St.