bjacknot
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Gen 1 Retrofitted with the Sapphire Caseback!
The aesthetic changes to the dial and the pusher changes aren't big winners for me. I think of this as comparing two very nice televisions side by side in a store, but once you have only one at home the differences are meaningless. The new case back is a game changer for me, however, so I want to buy just the sapphire case back as an upgrade! Too bad serial numbers are machined into the original case backs 
I do think the tang buckle is an improvement because the AP logo deployant used to dig into my wrist because it was not the correct curvature/shape for me. I have a lighter Jules Audemars EOT with the same deployant and it feels far more comfortable on my wrist. I have heard of ROO owners switching the direction the deployant which improves comfort. I will miss the panache of this feature compared to the somewhat boring tang buckle.
Anyway, I sold my ROO Panda-- actually used it to trade up to a PP Nautilus Annual Calendar-- with the expectation that the next ROO I get will have a sapphire case back. I will get the Safari version this time since I have plenty of white metal watches on black straps like my old Panda.
Thanks for the comparison!
More posts:
Royal Oak Offshore Safari - new or old?
Audemars Piguet's 2014 Royal Oak Offshore collection continues to make its way into the hands of collectors and fans worldwide. I have seen the new models a handful of times, and the one that continues to most impress me is the new version of the Royal Oa...
Thanks for this interesting comparison, Michael...
I like your 'old school' opinion about a solid ROO case back. While it is thrilling for me to be able to see the exposed inner beauty of the watch, I too have some doubt over the antimagnetic capability of the modern ROO with a display case back. I also a...
Probably generation 1 for me
Good comparison. There are things I like about both generations. I prefer: The dial and overall aesthetic of the first generation The see-through case back of the second generation (sorry, purists, but I love the view of the AP 3120) The tang buckle of th...
Overall I like better the second gen...
But the first is also really nice!! Both watches has their beauty!!
Gen 1 Retrofitted with the Sapphire Caseback!
The aesthetic changes to the dial and the pusher changes aren't big winners for me. I think of this as comparing two very nice televisions side by side in a store, but once you have only one at home the differences are meaningless. The new case back is a ...
Cool pieces
Both versions are really cool! On the comfort side, I wonder what are the users concerns with the old folding clasp. The new tang buckle looks great, but as with most ROO tang buckles (including Divers’), these also have razor-sharp edges that may scratch...
nice comparision
Thanks for this comparative of 2 great pieces. For this Safari version I really preffer the 1st generation , just missing the ceramic pieces from the 2nd one!! Good choice then!
Buckles
Hi guys - I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding the tang buckle, especially given my comments on the post above :-). Have a great week, everyone.
Hi Ed.
I do understand your observations on the buckles. I think the crisp edgy lines go well with the design of the watch. Personally, I have never had these dig or scratch against my wrist. Do you notice it more on one side or the other? Perhaps if the watch i...
still on buckles
Michael, I do not own these pieces… yet. However, having tried on literally dozens of ROOs on tang buckles, I always wondered why they had such sharp edges. I also found references to this issue in other forums on the Internet. Interestingly, two of the w...
Safari
Picking up this excellent thread... Firstly, thanks MichaelC – great info on the Safari models. AP and especially a ROO have been in my eyes for quite a long time, but I never pulled the trigger. Today, kind of by coincidence, I walked passed an AD and I ...
Great feedback Bent.
Even though I have posted I prefer the solid caseback on these watches, it does look great on the new Safari. And given the colors of the watch, to see the gold rotor on the back is a very nice addition. My first AP watch was a rubberclad Offshore back in...
Thanks again
- Your added strap info obviously makes that the last thing I should worry about :) All best Bent
