MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
18864
A good friend was asking me about the Jarno Trulli Offshore
And if I thought it was a piece worth owning. Absolutely, that was my reply.
So let's have a quick refresher on this rare Offsore (limited edition of 500 pieces) as it does not seem to be a piece we speak of too often.
The big story on this watch, launched in 2011, was the inclusion of the cermet bezel. A composite material - "cermet" is taken from ceramic & metal - this smoky colored material has an extreme hardness of 1450 Vickers and is resistant to shocks, corrosion, temperature, etc. Finished with AP's legendary brushed and polished surfaces, it is the most perfect looking metal I have seen.
On the wrist, this watch is pure bliss. The forged carbon main case offers a wonderful mat background for the stunning bezel. Forged carbon is very note worthy for its extreme light weight, making it quite a wonderful choice for AP when wanting to produce a lower weight watch, especially one the size of the Royal Oak Offshore.
Sand blasted titanium finishes the crown, pushers, and strap links. For those who do not know, metal pushers on an Offshore are extremely rare. While black rubber would certainly work OK on this watch, the metal ones are perfect.
How tough is cermet? I tried to slice it on my industrial strength bandsaw and snapped the 1" resaw blade (OK, I might be embellishing a little here
)
The dial on this Jarno Trulli Offshore is quite interesting. Bold, with the use of red, but very subtle overall. There is just something about grey. Always MichaelC's go to color for everything in life. Incidentally, the red areas are a luminous material, turning green when charged and viewed in low light situations.
We have seen AP really pay attention to the details more and more in recent years. Here, an appropriately colored date disc slips into the background at 3:00. Silverized subdials match the inner tach ring perfectly.
The cermet can appear quite dark at times. You have to look in person at the polished beveled areas; the reflection is amazing. As I wrote before, I describe the overall color of AP's cermet as "smoke".
This one really can be successfully paired with many straps. Black rubber probably most fits the overall design. I also wore mine on a black hornback with red stitching. You could dress it up a bit more w/ an all black gator strap, or use other stitch colors like white or grey.
The cermet can appear quite dark at times. You have to look in person at the polished beveled areas; the reflection is amazing. As I wrote before, I describe the overall color of AP's cermet as "smoke".
This one really can be successfully paired with many straps. Black rubber probably most fits the overall design. I also wore mine on a black hornback with red stitching. You could dress it up a bit more w/ an all black gator strap, or use other stitch colors like white or grey.
It was amazingly difficult for me to decide to sell this watch in favor of the Rubens Barrichello II last year. While I have not a single regret about that decision, I would have held the Jarno Trulli Offshore if the budget allowed. I look at this piece as one of the most refined 42mm "standard" Offshores ever produced by AP, and one day hope to rejoin the JT Club.
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A good friend was asking me about the Jarno Trulli Offshore
And if I thought it was a piece worth owning. Absolutely, that was my reply. So let's have a quick refresher on this rare Offsore (limited edition of 500 pieces) as it does not seem to be a piece we speak of too often. The big story on this watch, launche...
Would have done the same
As much as the JT is special, the RB II .... Thanks for the pictures. Still lusting over the JT ... Perhaps time to take action !
Appreciate your support.
You understand, I had to do it. But, the Jarno Trulli is missed. Such a great every day Offshore - as comfortable as 42mm gets and a very rare and unique watch. Hopefully I can reacquire some special AP grey, soon ;-)
Interesting watch, with the use of ( at that time ) original materials...
But I would have made the same choice than you. The RB III attracts me more. Less than the JPM, but truly more than the Trulli. ;) Best, Nicolas
Pun intended I think!
As I replied to Flamenco above, the Jarno Trull is such a fine every day Offshore for the AP fan. And I do wear my RBII quite often, but the slightly lighter weight and smaller size of the JT (without the large crown guard assembly) make it a wonderful ch...
True about the bezel
It is what makes this watch, the red too... but the bezel is obviously the deal breaker for people whether they'll like an AP RO, and with this one, it's really what makes the piece so amazing. Thanks for sharing with us your thoughts and pictures!!!! S
Spot on, S
I'm quite pleased to see this Jarno Trulli edition remains quite original within the world of the AP Offshore.
JT is one of the best 42mm ROOs...
even better than the latest 2014 novelties in my opinion. Can't deny that it is a perfect daily ROO by functionality. But I might just preserve it instead due to its LE status. And by trading it for RB2, you know I'm with you on that decision… with no res...
I definitely agree with your thoughts Wayne.
And appreciate the support on the move for my collection. I look at my own JT photos and miss it. Until I hold the RBII :-)
