Which Royal Oak or Royal Oak Offshore?

[Hyperion]

Hi,

I'm considering a Royal Oak or Royal Oak Offshore. After a few weeks of research, trying a few watches on etc, I've narrowed it down to a first generation Offshore (ref. 25721ST), the new "25th anniversary" reissue (ref. 26237ST), "Elephant" (Ref. 26470ST) or "Messi" (ref. 26325TS) in steel.

My first questions is if it makes any sense investing twice the money on the reissue (26237ST) of the original model (25721ST) in relation to future and long term value. "Messi" is a Limited Edition, which can be found at around the same price used as the reissue of the original Offshore. The "Elephant" is the joker at this point, and probably the worst "investment" of the bunch.

On the wrist, I'm sure I will be pleased with any of these alternatives. What things boils down to then is the potential future demand and value, which is always a guessing game to a degree.

Any advice are most welcome!

[G'ed]

Why not used 25721ST in good condition? Factor in some cost for servicing too

[AshAP]

I like the elephant. The Messi is nice but was a bit small on my wrist.

When I buy a watch it’s because I really want that watch and not because I’m trying to second guess the market. My platinum 44 is probably terrible from an investment point of view but it’s the only watch I’ve ever owned that I put on every day and still love.


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[Hyperion]

Originally Posted by G'ed

Why not used 25721ST in good condition? Factor in some cost for servicing too

Yes - this is where I'm leaning at the moment. The challenge would then be to find a watch in great condition with a clean service history from a reputable seller.

[Hyperion]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I like the elephant. The Messi is nice but was a bit small on my wrist.

When I buy a watch it’s because I really want that watch and not because I’m trying to second guess the market. My platinum 44 is probably terrible from an investment point of view but it’s the only watch I’ve ever owned that I put on every day and still love.

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The main challenge with the Messi is that it's so rare and hard to find from someone trustworthy within reach.

As of earlier, I believe I would be a happy man with any of the watches mentioned aesthetically. Both the RO 41mm and ROO fits my wrist nicely.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I like the elephant. The Messi is nice but was a bit small on my wrist.

When I buy a watch it’s because I really want that watch and not because I’m trying to second guess the market. My platinum 44 is probably terrible from an investment point of view but it’s the only watch I’ve ever owned that I put on every day and still love.


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This! So weird how people use future value as a driving factor. No way you're actually buying a watch you will love to wear if you're super concerned about that before even purchasing.

If the piece in question doesn't have a great resale, simply buy it grey or lightly used to circumvent any immediate loss.

Buy something you truly enjoy aesthetically and how it feels on your wrist. Do you buy a pair of shoes or a suit thinking about future value? No.

Just my 2c.

[Hyperion]

Originally Posted by dmash

This! So weird how people use future value as a driving factor. No way you're actually buying a watch you will love to wear if you're super concerned about that before even purchasing.

If the piece in question doesn't have a great resale, simply buy it grey or lightly used to circumvent any immediate loss.

Buy something you truly enjoy aesthetically and how it feels on your wrist. Do you buy a pair of shoes or a suit thinking about future value? No.

Just my 2c.

I agree, which is why I've added the following to the initial post:

"On the wrist, I'm sure I will be pleased with any of these alternatives. What things boils down to then is the potential future demand and value, which is always a guessing game to a degree."

In other words, the price and potential long term value are strong, final factors.

[HK Islandboy]

I’d go for the original Beast. I much prefer the subtle patina of the aged dual over the slightly sparkly dial of the reissue.

Some photos of the reissued version here
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=596145

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by dmash

This! So weird how people use future value as a driving factor. No way you're actually buying a watch you will love to wear if you're super concerned about that before even purchasing.

If the piece in question doesn't have a great resale, simply buy it grey or lightly used to circumvent any immediate loss.

Buy something you truly enjoy aesthetically and how it feels on your wrist. Do you buy a pair of shoes or a suit thinking about future value? No.

Just my 2c.

Emphatically agree!

[bluebeamer]

is its your one and only watch, then i'd go for the messi as the other 2 might be too big for everyday use.
if you already have a 'smaller' watch like a rolex sub or something similar or a dress watch like a patek, then i'd go for the beast.

[Watcheroo]

Picked the original ROO up a few months ago and it’s definitely a fun watch. I used to own the elephant and the beast is a lot more satisfying in my opinion

[Hyperion]

Picked the original ROO up a few months ago and it’s definitely a fun watch. I used to own the elephant and the beast is a lot more satisfying in my opinion

That's very valuable, thank you.

Are there any specifics to consider in relation to this particular model in your opinion?

[Hyperion]

Originally Posted by bluebeamer

is its your one and only watch, then i'd go for the messi as the other 2 might be too big for everyday use.
if you already have a 'smaller' watch like a rolex sub or something similar or a dress watch like a patek, then i'd go for the beast.

I've got a PAM 233, IWC Big Pilot, Omega Speedmaster and Speedmaster MKII since before. So no, this will not be my only (or last) watch.

[V25V]

Ahhh..... the infamous investment thread again!

[Watcheroo]

Originally Posted by Hyperion

That's very valuable, thank you.



Are there any specifics to consider in relation to this particular model in your opinion?

This article is probably the best overview of the Beast that I’ve read:

https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle...-oak-offshores

[JorgeCCW]

I don't care what people say when you buy a watch one of the factors to consider is the market situation of the watch , period. Its important , not saying that is investment, very few watches are. This is my motto "Never invest on watches , buy what you love but never ever ,ever buy a watch without considering value retention "

The only people that buy watches without caring about value retention falls in 3 categories:
1) They have the money and don't care about loses
2) They buy watches and 90% of the time they never sell
3) dumb

Cheers

[dmash]

Originally Posted by JorgeCCW

I don't care what people say when you buy a watch one of the factors to consider is the market situation of the watch , period. Its important , not saying that is investment, very few watches are. This is my motto "Never invest on watches , buy what you love but never ever ,ever buy a watch without considering value retention "

The only people that buy watches without caring about value retention falls in 3 categories:
1) They have the money and don't care about loses
2) They buy watches and 90% of the time they never sell
3) dumb

Cheers

I 100% agree with this....the current 'market situation'. Exactly why I said one should consider purchasing the watch via grey market or lightly used if it has horrible resale. However, OP is talking about 'future value' and 'long term value'. I think that's a little silly, because at that point, you're attempting to look at a watch like an investment.

As long as your initial purchase will have you in fairly neutral territory on a flip, that is all one should be concerned with IMO.

[AK797]

I like most the Messi of those, quite a unique piece. Don't think about investment as the guys say, but do your research and see what price you can buy this for and what you can sell it for and then decide if you can AFFORD it, which is really what investment talk is about nowadays.

[Hyperion]

To not consider the current and potential long term value of a watch within this price range seems unwise to me. Seeing it as an investment is another thing entirely though. If this was the case, I would look at Patek or Rolex instead. As mentioned in the initial post, this handful of watches have been chosen carefully based on look and feel first and foremost, where they do have quite a few attributes in common.

[mickyd329]

My preference is the Messi. It's rare and looks great.

[G'ed]

Messi is nice but the dial doesn’t have the tapisserie pattern which is odd for a Royal Oak. It has the biggest “AUTOMATIC” printing on the dial too lol

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by G'ed

Messi is nice but the dial doesn’t have the tapisserie pattern which is odd for a Royal Oak. It has the biggest “AUTOMATIC” printing on the dial too lol

and thats the deal breaker on an otherwise nice looking watch. It looks even more like a Hublot then it would otherwise. Not sure that is the look OP is going for.

[LAFLARE]

I am in favor of the classic offshore look: THE BEAST