Audemars Piguet

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.

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

More posts: Grand PrixRoyal OakRoyal Oak OffshoreSurvivor Chronograph Limited Edition

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