9 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Alternatives

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore is like the Royal Oak's older brother. It's bigger, it's bolder, it's beefier and it's like it received a jab or two of masculinity. And since its introduction to the world in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore has long been lauded Audemars Piguet's answer to the age old question of "what else".

The Royal Oak Offshore is to the Royal Oak what AMG is to Mercedes, M to BMW and RS to Audi. In other words, it's got a lot more oomph to it. More often than not its proportions are far larger than the Royal Oak's. And more often than not the Royal Oak Offshore lacks the subtle balance and design cues its smaller brother has been endowed with.

But, with that very obvious aesthetic comes the question, what else is there that can be, quote unquote, like for like with the Royal Oak Offshore? Well, fortunately for you, in the wonderful world of watches, options are definitely aplenty. And with alternatives from Zenith, Omega, Girard-Perregaux and Panerai, I'm sure that you're going to find the perfect Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore alternative.

Happy reading and I hope you enjoy.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune

• Brand: Blancpain

• Model: Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune

• Reference: 5054 0130 NABA

• Case: 43.60mm x 14.10mm

• Case Material: Ceramic

• Water Resistance: 300m

• Movement: Calibre 6654.P.4

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 72 hours

Perhaps the most technical piece on this list, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune combines the functionality of a complete calendar with a moon phase and the practicality of a ceramic case to hold its own as a very viable Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore alternative.

Zenith DEFY Extreme Carbon

• Brand: Zenith

• Model: DEFY Extreme Carbon

• Reference: 10.9100.9004/22.I200

• Case: 45mm

• Case Material: Carbon and titanium

• Water Resistance: 200m

• Movement: El Primero 21

• Frequency: 5 Hz

• Power Reserve: 50 hours

Another serious Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore alternative is the Zenith DEFY Extreme Carbon. Crafted in titanium and carbon, this 45mm heaving hunk of awesomeness combines Zenith's brilliant watchmaking prowess with some super contemporary design cues and materials.

Breitling Super Chonomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

• Brand: Breitling

• Model: Super Chonomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

• Reference: RB19301A1G1S1

• Case: 44mm x 15.30mm

• Case Material: Red gold

• Water Resistance: 100m

• Movement: Breitling B19

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 96 hours

The brand new Breitling Super Chonomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary heralds in a high-tech era for the brand. The combination of a chronograph with a perpetual calendar is tantamount to something from a house of high horology, so seeing Breitling come through with this red gold wonder is both welcoming and pleasantly unexpected.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute 8Tech

• Brand: Girard-Perregaux

• Model: Laureato Absolute 8Tech

• Reference: 81060-41-3222-1CX

• Case: 44mm x 15.15mm

• Case Material: Carbon and titanium composite

• Water Resistance: 100m

• Movement: GP03300

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 46 hours

Girard-Perregaux's Laureato Absolute 8Tech is a lovely bit of kit that really offers a lot of the brutish appeal that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore does. The carbon and titanium composite case is an ode to Girard-Perregaux's modernistic approach to the collection, and the addition of an in-house chronograph calibre is super welcoming.

IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands”

• Brand: IWC

• Model: Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands”

• Reference: IW379502

• Case: 45mm x 16.90mm

• Case Material: Stainless steel with vulcanized rubber-coating

• Water Resistance: 300m

• Movement: 89365 Calibre

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 68 hours

An odd choice for sure, but the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands” does have a lot of appeal both as a stand alone piece and as a very viable alternative to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. Big proportions, big details and a big stature -- very Royal Oak Offshore-like.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Chronograph "Deep Black"

• Brand: Omega

• Model: Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Chronograph "Deep Black"

• Reference: 215.92.46.51.01.001

• Case: 45.50mm x 19mm

• Case Material: Ceramic

• Water Resistance: 600m

• Movement: Omega 9900

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 60 hours

Competing for technical prowess is the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Chronograph "Deep Black". Sharing similar dimensions to the Royal Oak Offshore, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Chronograph "Deep Black" marries the worlds of modern watchmaking with modern materials and a modern aesthetic.

Ulysse Nardin Diver Net OPS

• Brand: Ulysse Nardin

• Model: Diver Net OPS

• Reference: 1183-170-8A/3A

• Case: 44mm x 15mm

• Case Material: Stainless steel (95% recycled)

• Water Resistance: 300m

• Movement: UN-118

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 60 hours

Another left field Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore alternative, the Ulysse Nardin Diver Net OPS is a lovely bit of kit that offers plenty of bang for your buck value. Couple that with a stainless steel case made up mostly of recycled material and what you have is a watch that more than holds its own against some very stiff competition.

Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro GMT Navy SEALs Carbotech™ PAM01513

• Brand: Panerai

• Model: Submersible QuarantaQuattro GMT Navy SEALs Carbotech™

• Reference: PAM01513

• Case: 44mm

• Case Material: Carbotech™

• Water Resistance: 500m

• Movement: P.900/GMT

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 72 hours

From Panerai is the new Submersible QuarantaQuattro GMT Navy SEALs Carbotech™ PAM01513. The case, the colour scheme, the strap, it all leads down the comparative route to the Royal Oak Offshore. Add to that a very serious depth rating and what you get is something of an enigma from Panerai.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium

• Brand: Hublot

• Model: Big Bang Unico Titanium

• Reference: 441.NX.1171.RX

• Case: 42mm

• Case Material: Titanium

• Water Resistance: 100m

• Movement: HUB1280

• Frequency: 4 Hz

• Power Reserve: 72 hours

Last but certainly not least is the Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium. If there is one like-for-like contender to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, then Hublot's Big Bang Unico Titanium is probably it. Titanium case, manufacture movement and an aesthetic that is both loud and unbecoming, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium is a consideration you definitely need to add to your list.