AUDEMARS PIGUET vs HUBLOT: ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE BATTLES BIG BANG UNICO
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Contact tmosso@thewatchbox.com for pricing and availability; Either I have it, or I can get it! Hublot vs. Audemars Piguet wouldn’t have been a fair luxury watch comparison ten years ago. Pitting a 2008 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore against a 2008 Hublot Big Bang would have been unfair to Hublot’s low-spec fashion-first Big Bang and an insult to Audemars Piguet’s high-horology standard of finish and watchmaking. In 2018, however, luxury watch collectors can expect Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Italia Independent Camouflage limited edition to put up a legitimate fight against Audemars Piguet’s reigning champion of the oversized sports watch world.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26405CE is one of AP’s best Offshores yet. But Hublot has been moving up to the premier weight class with smart case engineering, ergonomic excellence, and genuine watchmaking innovation. Is the Royal Oak Offshore still the champion of the heavyweight sports watch class?
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore bowed at Baselworld 1993. 44mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs became a regular Audemars model line offering in 2011; the full ceramic Royal Oak Offshore 26405CE.OO.A002CA.01 model seen here launched in 2014 as the sole 44mm Royal Oak Offshore in a model year dominated by the 42mm chronograph’s re-design. Retailing for a price of $32,100 U.S. and selling pre-owned for $31-33,000 U.S., it’s safe to say that the luxury watch collector market already has declared this AP to be the winner over Hublot’s contender, which sells used for half of the AP’s pre-owned price.
But the AP is a fantastic watch, not just a sound store of value, and this Offshore should be appreciated on that basis. With sharp ceramic creases, titanium hardware for caseback and crown shoulders, and a mega tapisserie dial with slick greyscale treatment, the 26405CE looks the part of an artisanal product executed in contemporary style. The super luminova applied to the AP’s dial offers FAR greater legibility at night than the tepid black lume of the Hublot Big Bang Unico.
AP’s caliber 3126/3840 automatic modular chronograph is less sophisticated in its engineering but more beautifully crafted than Hublot’s Unico caliber 1242.
Hublot introduced the Unico in-house movement on the monstrous Hublot King Power during the depths of the late 2000s recession. By 2013, rising economic tides were sufficient to lift the new Big Bang Unico to a warm reception from the luxury watch press and watch buyers. Today’s Big Bang Unico Italia Independent Camouflage 411.YG.1198.NR.ITI16 limited edition of 250 pieces debuted as the most limited of an Italia Independent-branded troika at Baselworld 2016.
The Hublot’s 45mm case offers ergonomic excellence; light weight, arched lugs that hug the wrist, and a quick-release system for rapidly swapping Hublot straps without need of tools. The Hublot concept of “materials fusion” makes itself seen and felt on this Big Bang Unico; there’s a titanium inner case for the movement; a carbon fiber sandwich structure defines the shape of the exterior case and bezel; texallium - a combination of fiberglass and colored aluminum deposits - creates the color and depth of the watch’s; silk creates the camouflage pattern; yellow gold hardware provides a pointed metallic contrast; twin sapphires (one for dial features) cover the visible dial side of the Hublot Unico caliber 1242.
Hublot’s watch is more comfortable on the wrist than AP’s full ceramic Offshore.
Finally, Hublot’s Unico Caliber 1242 automatic is a more impressive technical effort than the AP partially in-house 3126/3840. First, the Hublot chronograph is an integrated design that was planned from the outset for the Big Bang Unico case. Moreover, the technical specifications of the Unico 1242 shame the AP; 70-hour power reserve vs. 50; unlubricated silicon escapement vs. traditional Swiss lever; column wheel vs. cam chronograph; minutes register driven off the barrel vs. chronograph driven off the fourth wheel in the AP (off the barrel preserves amplitude); flyback chronograph vs. conventionally sequenced chrono. Finally, the Unico was designed inverted so that the chronograph drive train and column wheel - usually found on the back side of a caliber - can be enjoyed on the dial side of the Unico without removing the watch from one’s wrist. If the Unico gives up anything to the Audemars Piguet, it’s the rote industrial blasted finish of the Hublot’s bridges and plates. The AP movement is beautiful; the Hublot’s is grim.
Can the muscular challenger from Hublot vanquish the defending champ from Audemars Piguet? Watch VERSUS #4 to find out!
We're back with the ULTIMATE emotional showdown/throw-down; Hublot vs. AP! The first comparison I ever posted was a video of a Big Bang and a Royal Oak Offshore. It registered tens of thousands of fews and hundreds of comments bak when the original Watchuwant channel was tiny. In the three years since that first (no?) comparison, the landscape has changed, and Hublot has raised its game. Is AP still the champ? Let me know in the comments!
Best,
Tim
WatchBox Reviews ap will fuck hunlot till the end of days. Hublot has shit finishing and a shit movement for the price they ask. No history no heiritage and no innovation that matters for the watch world. It is a brand that copied gerald genta in a horrible way. It is made by an idiot for idiots. Btw AP should step out of the holy trinity and make room for bregeut or a.lange sohne.
I’ve seen both eye to eye. Hublot looks better than picture shown as for AP is the other way round
I'm a big fan of the Royal Oak, the Offshore just looks ugly to me. If I had to get a massive watch and had to pick between the two, I would go with the Hublot.
So far I couldn't grow any feelings towards Royal Oak (and PP Nautilus) no matter how much I looked at them. But being an ignorant hater like many, not too long ago I started feeling that some of Hublot designs and engineering are my cup of tea. Not this model ofc, but Sang Bleu, Caviar, Spirit of a BB. Gorgeous.
At first I didn't like the Hublot camouflage case color but I choose the Hublot over the AP because of the gorgeous skeleton dial and the gold hands and markers. I can see the movement working in the dial. I also like the gold crown and pushers.
Nice one Tim. Very interesting Versus video - Enlightening to learn that Hublot is as competitive and as accomplished a timepiece as that. In the video she looked great as well. Great platform - allot of fun. 👍
People commenting about AP offshore have never tried them on. If you did you’d know why it’s one of the greatest watches ever
If u opt for 3126 enhancement, AP wil reduce 59jewel to 54jewel, the watch gets lighter, the min hand jump when u adjust the time.....
I love this new format!! Can you start taking requests? Maybe a Rolex Z-Blue vs. another one with crazy colour
Hi Gary, thank you for this kind feedback! Next week's episode is in production already; Rolex Deepsea D-Blue vs. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5015D (satin steel and blue dial, full bracelet). We'll DEFINITELY shoot a Z-Blue soon... perhaps against the Grand Seiko SBGH051 with blue dial...?
Best,
Tim
Hublot has a design like no one else. It looks more special and more expensive *every hublot looks more special audemarspiguet* there are more ap fans than hublot fans. But Why because hublot is an new brand and everybody doesn't like it? and it's bad so bad blablabla. hublot attention to detail is better than enyone in the game.
And average hublot = more expensive than
Rolex omega Breitling audemarspiguet Patek Philipe
Only Roger Dubois and Vacheron constantin are more expensive
Hublot🇨🇭 best watch brand with best solutions
An average Hublot more expensive than.. ??? Rolex, Breitling, Omega, ya Right. AP they are equal.. but never evr as a Patek. Are you crazy??
Boy u r not right.
Personaly the AP was way more nicer on your wrist than Hhhh..........and of cource it was-is-will be the champ !
Hublot wins for me
This Hublot is grotesque
Oddly, Hublot likely would agree with this statement. I'd take the AP, but many Hublot fans specifically ask for stuff like that Unico, so give credit to Hublot for responding to its buyer...
Best,
Tim
Not a fan of the RO - but much prefer this one to this Hublot ...
Hi Kieren, thank you for watching! I agree with your choice. While I love AP, the models beyond the Royal Oaks have been my favorites. If I were to own an Offshore, it would be the 42mm variety, not the 44mm shown here.
Best,
Tim
Agreed. Thanks Tim. Be well, K
I'd never buy one of those watches, they're simply not my thing, but i love your reviews, those super close clips are amazing!
Thanks Andre! I understand how you feel; though I pick a personal "winner" from among the contestants in each week's feature, I don't necessarily desire either from a personal standpoint. My goal is to show a range of watches to suit a range of tastes. All collectors should have the satisfaction of seeing a favorite type or model in one of these VERSUS videos, so that's my goal across the series.
Best,
Tim
But why is the hublot the half of the price. Just compare $30.000
To $30.000 not $16.000 to 31.000.
Yeah there's a quality difference
Strange 😔
To me AP is fragile as hell. My 3120 in the AP diver stopped winding on my wrist. The rotor would just get stuck. Service is expensive so I sold it. It was my first and last AP. I have friends that love the brand but I’ve also seen crown stems come off and clasp screws fall out.
True. The Hublot likely is a tougher product inside and out based on my experience with the Unico in general and the carbon-cased Unico in particular. Hublot had a few unicorns issues in the late 2000s, but they seem to have been resolved; AP's quality control seems to be at an all-time low these days.
Best,
Tim
WatchBox Reviews I called their service center in FL. Very nice people so I’ll give them that but agreed. Having this experience made me appreciate Rolex even more. You won’t have these things happen with that brand!
Rolex is bullet-proof, and the company works within a framework of mutual respect between dealer, customer, and factory. Incidentally, Rolex returns to this series next week with Deepsea D-Blue vs. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. The Fifty for this round will be the same blue/satin steel/X71 bracelet model that I reviewed on this channel today.
Best,
Tim
SERIOUSLY?!? I keep hearing on these watch blogs that AP is part of the "Holy Trinity," it's super expensive, iconic, etc., and now, buried in a response to a comment, I learn that its QC is crap?
highnrising they are nice watches but you don’t want to be the owner if something breaks.
Couldn't take my eyes off those bezel screws. You're telling me hubot can't machine the screws to line up?
Hi Greg, you're correct. The bezel screws on the Hublot actually are screws whereas the "screws" on the AP are bolts with counter-threaded sockets below. In other words, the AP bolts aren't precisely machined to line up; they're placed in the bezel and held in place by additional hardware inside the case.
Best,
Tim
Great review as usual. I'd go with the Hublot Big Bang Unico in Steel.
That's a sound choice. For sure, it would be more durable than the carbon case, and it might play a bit less flamboyant on the wrist than the green camo.
Best,
Tim
I wonder, 20 years from now, will in your face design like hublot will still be exist?
It's tough to day. On the one hand, I think Hublot reached the limit of this trend in 2008 with the King Power, and Hublot has largely abandoned that 48mm monster ten years later. But the Big Bang arrived 13 years ago, and the Royal Oak Offshore turns 25 this year. That's staying power. I suspect that the overcooked look of "oversized" sports watches will see its popularity wane with time, but I doubt that it will vanish.
Best,
Tim
There's many other models of Hublot to make a comparision vs an AP
Thanks - what comparison would you like to see?
WatchBox Reviews may be the Big Bang Gold Blue
great build quality, both great movements... but designs and size are both just a royal unico NO!
Neither one is my style of watch, but I will offer my input to those shopping oversized sports models. Future episodes of this series will cover all watch segments.
Best,
Tim
Another great versus edition. 👍
Thank you for watching, Russel! It's Blancpain (Fifty Fathoms) vs. Rolex (Deepsea D-Blue) next week. Also, I love your CZcams avatar ;-)
Best,
Tim
I thought you were reviewing 2 Invicta watches...
The wait for that comparison will be... interminable.
Best,
Tim
How is this even a competition. Ap wins but 100% not this model. Yuk.
Neither one is a life essential, so choice comes down to personal preference. I chose the AP, but choosing the Hublot wouldn't be any more "wrong" than adopting a Labrador Retriever instead of a Golden Retriever. As always in the luxury space, buy what brings you the most joy.
Best,
Tim
WatchBox Reviews it woudn't be wrong but it would be stupid. Why spent do much on a shit watch brand when you can buy a patek/a.lange sohne/breguet/rolex/audemarsnpiquet/ vacheron/ blancpain/fp journe for the same amount of money maby even less.
Hublot is for millennials who follow the crowds.
AP is for exclusivity, tradition, history, and craftsmanship.
Hublots are visual art on a watch.
@@RightWingRadioShow Hublots are a marketing gimmick.
@@umbrellaman08 No and you are an ignorant fuck. Herritage is a marketing gimmick. People buy watches because it meets their criteria.
Bullshit. Everyone can buy anything, you’re not to judge. You’re ignorant, both watches have their advantages and disadvantages. It’s not a generational thing.
@@RightWingRadioShow @GimmeTheLoot aaww, Hublot fans. Every watch they make is a marketing gimmick, guess what, next watch is limited again. Go and buy one you brainless fucks. lol
Never, ever.
Idk, the AP offshore doesn't really speak to my heart, I feel as though the offshore design will never really stack up to the original RO in terms of emotional evocation IMO. It'll always be the mutated spinoff that definitely lit it's genre of watch on fire. Plus, the dial sub-register layout just makes me think 7750.. and I'm really tired of that played out layout.
However I do love the magnifying disk on the dial for the date, its just different and something I find delightful. Although I did criticize the sub-register layout the finishing of the movement is just suburb and something I expect nothing less of a top 3 watchmaker.
Im not really a person to go for these style of watches at all but I am trying to gain an appreciation for them. Looking at the Hublot however, a brand I thought I'd never like, I really got to achieve that appreciation in it's details. Maybe its a bit unfair because of the skeletal dial but the small details in the Hublot really make it feel like something special. Like how the Hublot H logo is symmetrical, if the seconds hand is down or up the H still matches. The visible column wheel and clutch actuation from the front of the dial is just great and a treat for the movement geek. Button quick change strap is just super cool, and the deployment clasp seamless strap is a very mindful feature.
The Hublot wins in my book, and I'm the type of person who says the sub wins over the seamaster anyday!
Difficult to connect to this"more money than taste" comparison. Guys indulging into this kind of hardware probably own both.
That's a fact. But one of the first watch comparisons that I filmed back in 2015 was a Big Bang vs. Offshore, and viewer response was a bit nuts. That alerted me to the huge interest in this kind of a face-off. Future episodes of this series will cover a broad range of styles addressing diverse tastes.
Best,
Tim
AP off cos without any question! AP long history itself can thumb down Hublot. Don't get me wrong , Hublot is a great watch marker but I admired a watch maker beyond it design & materials used.... the history of the watch marker is as important to me.
But I'm ain't a fan of AP & Hublot thot....
Great detail review Tim.
Thanks, Alvin. You know that my choice in this price range would be something very different from the watches above. However, for the pre-owned price of this AP Offshore, you could have a pre-owned JLC Master Compressor Extreme Lab 2 that blows both of today's VERSUS contestants out of the watch along with a basket of Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, and possibly even FP Journe's Linesport watches.
Best,
Tim
@WatchBox Reviews
Lol.... well said Tim. Yeah very sure JLC will be your choice & likely for me too. JLC with a rich history & well made watches wins hearts.
Also, for a fraction of the new or used price of the AP and less than the Hublot's new or pre-owned price, you could have a Zenith Defy El Primero 21 that achieves the same wrist presence and stance while offering a more interesting mechanical profile than either of the other two watches.
Best,
Tim
Is this even a contest??? Hublot? Really Tim?
Other than this poor comparison, please keep up the great work!
Thanks for your feedback!
- WatchBox Team
SS OFFSHORE yes you broke ass
AP for sure
Hublot sucks, everyone I know that has ever owned one has stopped wearing them...AP is always class, but the offshore is simply way too big. 15202st is the dream AP.
Hublot...
Weight less and comes with matching sunglasses 🕶 and watch winder.
This is very true. There's a wonderful accessory set - including a second strap - that arrives with the Hublot.
Best,
Tim
This is why brands have gifts shops.
This debate is pointless honestly. Not because it doesn't have merit, its just anyone going to watch this video already has their mind made up. "AP has a RICH history, Hublot is just a garbage copier!" vs "Hublot is a far better value, with enormous options and a great quality point, AP is just a way more expensive hublot!" Its unfortunate that the objective points are largely ignored by both buyers and fanboys alike.
That said, that particular Hublot ... really a polarizing choice tbh. Not everyone is into the puke green aesthetic; maybe a more traditional big bang would be less "dramatic"... or maybe that was the point? ;)
Anyway, that part aside, you did a fantastic job of being objectively neutral to both, despite your admitted preference to the AP. Im more of a hublot guy (just not THAT hublot haha), as I like that "boy racer" aesthetic a little bit.
Cheers
hublots best
Why compare a work of art with a pile of crap? AP beats Hublot by a mile.
people like you are the pile of crap, the materials are there and they are both pretty unique. You are the type of person who sees a flooded manufacturer set watch and says “ what a beauty” but if it was the same watch had aftermarket diamonds you say “disgusting” , hypocrite 😂
An Hublot Ferrari, Carbon Fibre Unico or Standard Unico would of been a better choice than this Italia Independent, but nevertheless this one is a fair comparision too .No doubt, the Hublot is more solid, having the F1 buckle style removable clasp in compared to the old fashioned one on the AP, as you can see at 2:42, it just looks kinda cheap(in my humble amateuer opinion) . The Anti-Reflective Sapphire(which is unacceptable in my opinion) is a major turn off for the AP. APs movement seems to be not so robust, many people complaining that they've accidentley broken it, when trying to adjust the time, not the case with the Fly-Back movement, but in this area Tim is the expert , so I won't even try to say something, as Tim said, the Hublot is by far more advanced and durable. The Design is very subjective, the AP seems to have won the hearts of most of the people. The resale value is a major problem with Hublot, only the Rose Gold ones can obtain some resale value, the other ones just go instantly 35-45% of the original price. I am a pragmatic guy, I like to get something for my money, not just brand value and recognition as it is with Rolex and AP, I like innovative materials and good, durable engineering, that's why for me the Hublot is a better buy, but as an investment, no doubt the AP is the choice, but product wise the Hublot is worthier. The luxury watch game is all based on Brand Heritage and Prestige, but when it comes down to the actual product and the actual result, you come to realize that you've spent silly amounts of money on a product that is worth maximum of 20% of the original investment price, especially with products made in steel! The affordable watches are coming strong, ceramic watches are more and more affordable as the technology evolves, and lets us not forget that the fake market industry can create so good products, that makes you think ..."how come this one is worth 32K$ and this one 200$ when only an expert can spot the difference"(I hate replicas and the fake products industry,and I know it is another subject) but what I am trying to say, is that Rolex and AP pump up the prices every year, and they control the supply and demand, using Social Media, Marketing Campaigns and Brand Ambassadors, without solid R&D or without investing that much in the actual products..These days the BRAND tag is worth more than the products, we are wearing BRANDS not Watches and not Pieces of Art ...Only in the super niche category you can say that the watch is indeed a piece of art!
both watches are hideous
Absolute yuck. Obnoxious vs showoff. Such watches do not remotely approach my wrist ever. Sorry Tim but these watches are an absolute repellent to me, but I agree they are likely to be quality pieces appreciated by others. Just not my taste. Great vids as always tho, thanks.
No need to apologize to me. My opinions and tastes are well known to those who follow me online. But I can't let those preferences drive the content too much. There's only so much appetite for niche profiles of dress watches, obscure complications, or independent brands. I'll film features highlighting that sort of thing from time to time, but I can't allow the channel to become about me; oversize watches are of great interest to many. But rest assured, we'll have variety within this series as it develops, and you can always count on my reviews of connoisseur-focused watches in this channel's mainstream reviews.
Best,
Tim
What beautiful nice watches. Both. But - what the heck is this? Did Hublot really set their Logo ON the glass? Disturbing and annoying! Thats why the have to suffer because they did sceleton dial. Means no place for logo inside on dial! Seriously, who really wants to see how the technic wheels moving?! A solid pattern dial had been better solution. Taste is individual, yeah, but does Skeleton really look such good? Alone of this fact (Logo/Glass) i wouldnt buy it. Anyway i know Hublot has other models with Logo not on glass. Thx god.
시계에 종교마크가 있네. ㅆ
Hublot is a joke
Your mother is a joke
UGLY Watches , Vintage better ...
Hublot is trash compared to Ap