While waiting for my second 26238 piece (the green dial titanium model for those interested) to arrive, I decided to share my thoughts on the 42mm 26238ST which I had received from the boutique.
The gulf color theme is beautiful in real life, and seems to get its inspiration from the signature gulf edition Porsche. The color theme makes the watch vibrant to look at, especially when paired with a textured rubber straps meant to look like textile. IMHO the color combination is a winner.
The new 26238 ROOs all feature the cal. 4404 first used in the code 11.59 chronograph series. It is a flyback chronograph movement, and IMHO a lot more refined than the predecessing 3126/3840 movement, with a 28800bph beat, a longer reserve (70hrs vs 55hrs) and an integrated chronograph function. Along with this core engine switches comes a new second@6 movement instead of the second@12, equidistant 6-9-12 subdials and a datewheel which is no longer sunken. The new dial layout makes it look neater, along with the removal of the "Audemars Piguet" text which used to sit below the AP logo. The AP logo is still present and is bigger now compared with before. I personally dislike the raised ring around the datewheel, and the datewheel itself. Using a new font and cyclop for the non-sunken datewheel ironically reduces the date legibility vs the preceding 26470 models which feature a clear cyclop and a larger date font size which I found to be very helpful when trying to read the date. Also welcome for me is the decision to revert the hands back to something which very much resemble the 26170 style ROO hands, and also the reversion of the crown and pushers back to rubber, as visual nods to the ROO heritage. One thing I note is that the crystal seems to have upgraded from the previous generation of ROOs, with better clarity and it makes the dial pop like never before seen on previous ROOs.
The use of the 4404 caliber also means that the crown and pushers are now aligned, instead of the crown being sunken vs the pushers like how we have always known ROOs to show. Personally, I like this change as this change, along with the slightly thicker caseback, prevents the crown from the crown biting into my wrist like before (I wear my watches on my right wrist). The crown guards have been also beefed up and while subtle, it is a change for the sharp eyed, and pushes the ROO deeper into masculine territory.
The ROO case is now chunkier than before, and to be honest, the 26470 wears more comfortably for me vs the 26238. The watch is top heavy and protrudes from the wrist like an unwelcome miniature spaceship, which makes it prone to dings and scratches. The change in wear-dynamics will need some getting used to, even for seasoned ROO wearers. Doubt not, the watch looks and feel chunky and for me this is a downside for the new ROO iteration, and this is primarily caused by the caliber switch as well. The previous 3126/3840 mvoement was 7.16mm and this new 4404 movement is 8mm.
The caseback engravings are now minimal and sharp, with a "Royal Oak Offshore" engraved at the top and the serial number of the watch at the bottom. The 4404 caliber proudly presents itself, showing off its glorious finish and the simplified 22k rose gold rotor with a single large AP logo, which ensures that the watch charges well with the wrist movement when worn. The caliber is the central core change in the new ROO, which necessitated the rest of the changes in the dial, datewheel and case thickness. Like it or hate it, it is something which is here to stay in line with AP's move to use in-house movements across its entire range.
Another important, and very welcome change is the quick change straps and buckle. Strap change has always been the nightmare of AP owners in the past, requiring what seems to be 3 hands, a variety of tools and patience of a martyr. The straps can now be released within a couple of seconds with the very clever release buttons found on the underside of the 4 endlinks. I find this superior to the quickchange system employed by the Hublot Unico Big Bangs as the release buttons can only be accessed when the watch is removed from the wrist, as opposed to someone else being able to press the release button when the watch is worn, for the Big Bang. The buckle is a tang type and can be removed and installed as easily by flipping up one end of the clasp, and sliding the entire buckle out. The procedure is easily reversed when putting it on another strap, all in the matter of seconds and without using any tool at all. It is a quickchange system that can be done literally with the eyes closed.
Overall, there are more positive than negative changes for me in the new ROO. The ROO line had needed a refreshment for sometime now to regain its position as a top dog of the range sports chrono watches. The caliber upgrade and the quickchange straps system certainly are very welcome for AP owners. The date font, and date window ring are both ugly for me personally. The wear-feel is also a slight downgrade. Overall, it feels that the ROO has grown up and come of age. It is a much needed evolution from AP and something owners and fans would be mostly happy with, and impressed by.
The gulf color theme is beautiful in real life, and seems to get its inspiration from the signature gulf edition Porsche. The color theme makes the watch vibrant to look at, especially when paired with a textured rubber straps meant to look like textile. IMHO the color combination is a winner.
The new 26238 ROOs all feature the cal. 4404 first used in the code 11.59 chronograph series. It is a flyback chronograph movement, and IMHO a lot more refined than the predecessing 3126/3840 movement, with a 28800bph beat, a longer reserve (70hrs vs 55hrs) and an integrated chronograph function. Along with this core engine switches comes a new second@6 movement instead of the second@12, equidistant 6-9-12 subdials and a datewheel which is no longer sunken. The new dial layout makes it look neater, along with the removal of the "Audemars Piguet" text which used to sit below the AP logo. The AP logo is still present and is bigger now compared with before. I personally dislike the raised ring around the datewheel, and the datewheel itself. Using a new font and cyclop for the non-sunken datewheel ironically reduces the date legibility vs the preceding 26470 models which feature a clear cyclop and a larger date font size which I found to be very helpful when trying to read the date. Also welcome for me is the decision to revert the hands back to something which very much resemble the 26170 style ROO hands, and also the reversion of the crown and pushers back to rubber, as visual nods to the ROO heritage. One thing I note is that the crystal seems to have upgraded from the previous generation of ROOs, with better clarity and it makes the dial pop like never before seen on previous ROOs.
The use of the 4404 caliber also means that the crown and pushers are now aligned, instead of the crown being sunken vs the pushers like how we have always known ROOs to show. Personally, I like this change as this change, along with the slightly thicker caseback, prevents the crown from the crown biting into my wrist like before (I wear my watches on my right wrist). The crown guards have been also beefed up and while subtle, it is a change for the sharp eyed, and pushes the ROO deeper into masculine territory.
The ROO case is now chunkier than before, and to be honest, the 26470 wears more comfortably for me vs the 26238. The watch is top heavy and protrudes from the wrist like an unwelcome miniature spaceship, which makes it prone to dings and scratches. The change in wear-dynamics will need some getting used to, even for seasoned ROO wearers. Doubt not, the watch looks and feel chunky and for me this is a downside for the new ROO iteration, and this is primarily caused by the caliber switch as well. The previous 3126/3840 mvoement was 7.16mm and this new 4404 movement is 8mm.
The caseback engravings are now minimal and sharp, with a "Royal Oak Offshore" engraved at the top and the serial number of the watch at the bottom. The 4404 caliber proudly presents itself, showing off its glorious finish and the simplified 22k rose gold rotor with a single large AP logo, which ensures that the watch charges well with the wrist movement when worn. The caliber is the central core change in the new ROO, which necessitated the rest of the changes in the dial, datewheel and case thickness. Like it or hate it, it is something which is here to stay in line with AP's move to use in-house movements across its entire range.
Another important, and very welcome change is the quick change straps and buckle. Strap change has always been the nightmare of AP owners in the past, requiring what seems to be 3 hands, a variety of tools and patience of a martyr. The straps can now be released within a couple of seconds with the very clever release buttons found on the underside of the 4 endlinks. I find this superior to the quickchange system employed by the Hublot Unico Big Bangs as the release buttons can only be accessed when the watch is removed from the wrist, as opposed to someone else being able to press the release button when the watch is worn, for the Big Bang. The buckle is a tang type and can be removed and installed as easily by flipping up one end of the clasp, and sliding the entire buckle out. The procedure is easily reversed when putting it on another strap, all in the matter of seconds and without using any tool at all. It is a quickchange system that can be done literally with the eyes closed.
Overall, there are more positive than negative changes for me in the new ROO. The ROO line had needed a refreshment for sometime now to regain its position as a top dog of the range sports chrono watches. The caliber upgrade and the quickchange straps system certainly are very welcome for AP owners. The date font, and date window ring are both ugly for me personally. The wear-feel is also a slight downgrade. Overall, it feels that the ROO has grown up and come of age. It is a much needed evolution from AP and something owners and fans would be mostly happy with, and impressed by.
