Watch Review: SHAQ Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Here we have an AP watch as monumental as the person it was inspired by and named after – It is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore SHAQ, reference 26133ST.00.A1O1.CR.01. This is a very special AP timepiece, and not just because of its larger-than-life size, unique dial characteristics, and the fact that is was made in honor of the 4-time NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal, but also because it is a limited edition piece. There were only 960 of these ever produced.  

As we’ve recently acquired this fascinating Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore SHAQ watch, we wanted to share it with you all and give you an in-depth, hands-on review. 

Note: This watch is available now at Diamonds By Raymond Lee in Boca Raton. See the full sales listing here. 

CIRCA 2007 – SHAQ WATCH REVIEW

Now, if you haven’t heard of this watch, you may think it’s a newer model. However, it is actually somewhat of a throwback. It dates back to when Shaq was still in the league, circa 2007. The Phoenix Suns days. 

As you can see, it has all of the classic features of the Royal Oak Offshore. The octagonal Gerald Genta inspired bezel, the modular look of the watch’s case, bezel gasket and bezel, and the inlaid hexagonal stainless steel bezel bolts.

In terms of its size, being that it is 48mm, the Shaq watch takes on a very different nature than its “smaller” 44mm siblings. It is simply mind-blowing in size and weight. Like the man himself.

The Royal Oak Offshore line, which is Audemars Piguet’s most sizable collection, has only a couple 48mm watches, and they are all special editions. The epic size is devoted to the largest pop culture icons…Literally, the largest, like Shaquille O’Neal and Arnold Schwarzenegger large. Therefore, not only is this specific reference rare, a 48mm AP is faithfully unwonted. 

Only 960 of these were made in stainless steel. Then, another 96 were made in white gold with diamonds. While the latter is undoubtedly cool, this 1 of 960 stainless steel version is way more wearable, both in weight and aesthetics. Stainless steel is simply more versatile as a sports watch. Yes, it’s a huge watch, but it can surely be an everyday piece if that’s your thing. 

48MM SHAQ DADDY CASE 

On a normal wrist, this watch wears like it was made for a man who was 7’1”…because it was.

The watch was built for a mighty forearm, so it dwarfs most wrists. The 48mm case size doesn’t even begin to explain the watch’s breadth. That’s because 48mm refers to the round of the case.

As you can see, there really is no round portion of the case. It is more like a cushion, with sizable crown guards, crown, and chrono pushers surrounding the entire right side of the case. So, it’s a 48mm in essence, but it wears far larger. 

Lug to lug, the watch measures 61mm. If that doesn’t shock you, we don’t know what will…

The watch is huge, spanning the wrist with the presence that only the biggest Hublot Big Bang King Power can compare. It’s a pure thriller for us normal-sized men who love oversized luxury sports watches. 

Now, for a watch with an NBA center-like span, it is surprisingly thin. It is only 14mm in thickness. That’s no thicker than a conventional in-house movement Royal Oak Offshore.

Moreover, thanks to its sloped bezel, it will slide under a dress cuff with ease. An important feature, as if you are like Shaquille O’Neal, you are suited up at least a few times a week. 

BIG BODY WEIGHT

The AP Shaq is as substantial as it gets. When you wear this watch, you will feel it at all times. It’s considerably heavier than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator 3 limited edition (1 of 1000) 48mm Royal Oak Offshore because his was made from Titanium and this one is made from Stainless Steel. Fitting to say the least. As yes, Arnold is a big dude, especially in his prime, but Shaq makes even the 7-time Mr. Olympia look small by comparison. Steel (and white gold) is only right for a watch that bears the name SHAQ. 

BLACK LEATHER AP STRAP

If you know newer AP Royal Oak Offshores like the back of your hand, then you can tell this is an older model immediately by the lug design. It has the same lug design as the original Royal Oak Offshore reference 25770. This means it has a single hinge. Is that a bad thing? Not at all. It provides a highly secure fitment for this oversized AP factory leather strap. As you’d want and expect for a Diesel size watch. 

Keep in mind, when we say “oversized” leather strap, we really mean it. It may have taken the whole cow to make this strap. But it’s not all about size and durability, the leather strap is also incredibly supple. The strap alone shows you just how high quality this watch is. Everything is upscaled to the max. Better yet, it’s 7-foot-1-inch-Shaq scaled…

…and this extends to the pin buckle. This is the type of pin buckle that can’t help but cause other pin buckles to foul. 

Like the strap, it also has The Real Deal presence. There’s no place for anything dainty on this watch. It’s beautifully finished and it’s branded prominently with “Audemars Piguet”.

Note, for smaller wrists, you can easily fit it to your wrist thanks to the plentiful holes on the strap. So, while the watch looks like it is made for a leg, it will fit your forearm, we promise. As seen in the pics, that is the wrist of a mere mortal. 

32 AP ROYAL OAK DIAL

Moving inboard, you will see the wholly original and classic Audemars Piguet tapisserie dial, this one of the matte black variety.

You will also spot the white gold matte-finish applied numerals. Notice the SHAQified reversal of the 3 and 2, representing the superstar’s jersey number – 32. 

With the larger-than-normal case and the amplified numerals and second and minute hands, the tapisserie dial appears somewhat smaller than usual ROOs. Almost like the tapisserie dial on the 41mm Royal Oak. Make note, that is literally the only time we are going to mention something as “small” in this feature. Nevertheless, we really like that AP didn’t scale up the tapisserie dial. Most people agree it looks great this way. 

As for the sub-dials, those were definitely Big Shamrocked up. Like every Royal Oak Offshore, there are three subdials – Hours (6 o’clock), Min (9 o’clock), Sec (12 o’clock). However, these subdials are broader than the normal Royal Oak Offshore subs.

When it comes to the subdials, numerals and hands, it makes sense to scale up for a 48mm, as it allows for better legibility. And make no mistake, this watch is extremely legible. Even with the chronograph having the same tone as the mainboard, it is very easy to read. Far easier than most chronograph watches.

So, as “exhibitionist” as it is (there’s no denying it is an exhibitionist style watch), it’s very much so a pure-bred watch…like Shaquille O’Neal is a pure-bred baller. 

The last thing to note on the dial is the sporty, tri-tone color that comes in the form of red. The main seconds hand, the outboard, and the signature “3” and “2” are a deep, vibrant red. 

Note: This watch does not have special powers to alter time, the 2 is actually the 3 o’clock, but we are sure you won’t get confused by this little pick and roll.

All in all, it’s a perfectly crafted and well thought out dial. Not only that, but it is entirely original. What other dial switches up the 3 and 2? Strictly speaking, not one other watch.

SHAQ STAMPED CASEBACK

The 32 on the dial is not the only signature, the case back has the man himself, mid-dunk. The same dunk that broke the backboard during the game against the New Jersey Nets in the 1992–93 NBA season…

With all that hall of fame greatness, the real special touch is something that you can’t physically see, but you undoubtedly will appreciate. That is the high watchmaking. The movement. 

As we all know, Audemars Piguet makes up one-third of the Big Three in Haute Horology. The Holy Trinity.

Thinking in terms of NBA centers. The best centers to ever play the game are Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

And while there can be some debate on the greatest NBA centers of all time. There is no debate on the top 3 in Haute Horology. Audemars Piguet has unquestionably secured that place for eternity. 

Now, let’s talk Big Shaq’s movement in the paint…and by that, we mean the AP Shaq Royal Oak Offshore automatic, self-winding movement behind the case. 

CALIBRE 3126 MOVEMENT – HAUTE HOROLOGY

At the heart of the AP Shaq, you have a big ol’ funny, friendly teddy bear. At the heart of the AP Shaq watch, you have an in-house calibre 3126 movement with a 3840 module. It contains 59 Jewels with a 365 part vertical clutch chronograph (clutch like Shaq in the paint). It also features a free-sprung, full balance bridge, and the balance is a gryo max. Furthermore, the bi-direction winding is superman smooth, with virtually invincible ceramic rotor bearings.

To the functions of the chronograph. When you pull the crown, which is immense, to say the least, it hacks the balance, allowing you to sync exactly to a specific reference time. It also has a quick set for the date window at the 2 (which Is technically the 3 o’clock). 

The power reserve is a respectable 55 hours. Enough to allow you to take it off for the weekend and not have to worry about resetting it on Monday. That said, this is definitely a weekend watch, so we doubt you will be taking it off Friday-Sunday. 

All in all, when it comes to the AP Shaq, you are dealing with a larger-than-life, somewhat shocking, rarity. It’s definitely not every day you see a 48mm watch, especially one of Haute Horology nature. It’s about as rare as seeing a 7-foot human. Better yet, a 7 foot human who is skilled enough to be in the NBA. And while you can see Shaq on TV and this watch online, unlike Shaq himself, you can actually own this watch today by shopping with us online or visiting our state-of-the-art showroom in Boca Raton.

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SHAQ WATCH PRICE

For a watch as rare of 1 out of 960, you probably imagine this watch costs $50k plus. That’s normal for Audemars Piguet. However, you’d be mistaken.

The retail price for the Audemars Piguet Shaq Royal Oak Offshore was approximately $32,000. However, this specific AP Royal Oak Offshore Shaq is secondhand, so it is selling for $19,995.

While the watch is pre-owned, it is in perfect condition. You will have no idea that it was second-hand. The best part about it being a pre-owned AP watch is the value will remain. in fact, it can only increase after purchasing it, as most pre-owned Audemars Piguet watches do, especially the limited-edition versions like this AP ROO Shaq. 

It’s a buyer’s market right now, so the time to take advantage and make a good wrist investment is now. 

If you have any questions about this limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Shaq Watch, please feel free to contact us.