Collectors often talk about the Offshore “Themes” models (the Navy with its deep blue dial, the Volcano with its orange highlights, and the Silver with its clean monochrome look) and the Safari is always included, valued for how different it felt within the Offshore line. Launched in 2005, it quickly became known for its cream dial and leather strap, a combination that made it feel different from the rest. It’s a discontinued model now, but still one that watch fans continue to look for.
To see why it left such a mark, we need to start with its origin in the Royal Oak Offshore story.
Where the AP Safari Began
The Royal Oak Offshore Safari was introduced in 2005 as part of a wave of new strap-based Offshores that also included the Navy, Black Themes, and Silver Themes editions. From the start, the Safari stood out. It was the only one delivered on a brown hornback alligator strap, a choice that gave it a rugged, outdoors feel and a look unlike anything else in the lineup at the time.
At launch, it carried the reference 26020ST and used the calibre 2226/2840, the movement powering Offshores since the early 1990s. But in 2007, Audemars Piguet introduced a major update across the Offshore Chronograph line: the new calibre 3126/3840, built on AP’s own 3120 base with a Dubois Depraz chronograph module. With this change, the Safari’s reference shifted to 26170ST.OO.D091CR.01, the version most collectors know today.
Another detail appeared during this transition: an anti-reflective magnifier over the date window, added to improve legibility. These updates helped define the Safari in its final form and set it apart from the earlier batch.
The watch stayed in the catalog until 2014, when Audemars Piguet released a new generation of 42mm Offshores with ceramic pushers, thicker crown guards, and display casebacks. With that refresh, the original Safari was discontinued after nearly a decade in production.
Collectors continue to value the Safari for its cream dial and hornback strap combination, a pairing that became its signature. While some experimented with fitting rubber straps or steel bracelets, most agree the watch looks most at home in its original setup. Today, as a discontinued reference, the Safari remains a sought-after Offshore that still carries weight in the collector community.
Now that we’ve covered its background, let’s move to the case and strap design that gave the Safari such a recognizable presence.
How Steel and Alligator Define the Safari
The 42mm stainless steel case of the Safari carries the familiar Offshore profile, with its sharp angles and wide stance on the wrist. The surfaces are finished with a vertical brushed pattern, while the edges are high-polished, creating a contrast that highlights the shape of the case. On the back, the solid caseback is engraved with “Royal Oak Offshore” and secured with eight large screws, a construction detail that reflects the Offshore’s sturdy build.
Up front, the octagonal bezel is finished the same way: vertical brushing across the flat surface with high-polished bevels along the sides. The bezel is anchored by the familiar eight white-gold screws, all aligned toward the center. Just beneath it sits a thin black rubber gasket – a detail unique to the Offshore line that not only improves water resistance but also gives the case its layered, industrial look. Completing the profile are the black rubber-coated chronograph pushers and the screw-down crown, which carries the AP logo set into a rubber surround for better grip.
The strap is what truly made the Safari unique when it launched. It comes on a brown hornback alligator strap with cream stitching on top and a cream-colored underside that ties directly to the dial. The strap is secured with a stainless steel deployant clasp engraved with the AP initials. While collectors sometimes note that the clasp can press into the wrist depending on strap length, it was designed to balance the weight of the watch securely.
Although the hornback strap is attached with screws and bars, it can be swapped out for other options like rubber straps or even a steel bracelet. Still, most collectors agree that the Safari feels most complete on its original hornback, where the strap and dial colors connect perfectly.
With the frame and strap covered, it’s time to move to the dial – the feature that gave the Safari its distinct identity in the Offshore line.
The Safari’s Signature Dial
The cream-toned “Méga Tapisserie” dial is the feature that gave the Safari its identity. While it can look white in photos, in person it shows a warmer ivory shade that plays well against the darker strap.
Set into the dial are three white subdials: the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, the 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, and the running seconds at 12 o’clock. Together, they stand out clearly against the cream background while keeping the chronograph layout balanced.
Large Arabic numerals are applied directly to the cream “Méga Tapisserie” dial. Each numeral has a black center outlined in silver, which helps them catch the light and makes them easier to read against the textured surface. Around the outer edge, a tachymeter scale sits on a slightly lighter-toned chapter ring, readable without distracting from the main display.
At 3 o’clock, the date window sits recessed, with the Audemars Piguet logo printed just to its left. The date disc often appears darker than the dial itself, a result of the modular chronograph construction that places it deeper within the movement.
The hands and numerals carry lume, though many collectors have noted the Safari does not glow as strongly as other Offshore models.
After examining the dial, the next step is to understand the engine that keeps it running.
Movement Details and Performance
Powering the Safari is the Audemars Piguet calibre 3126/3840, an automatic chronograph movement built on the in-house calibre 3120 with a Dubois Depraz chronograph module added on top. It runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour, contains 59 jewels, and is made up of 365 components. The movement offers a power reserve of about 50 to 55 hours, enough to keep the watch running through a weekend off the wrist.
The functions are straightforward but useful: a 12-hour chronograph at 6 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, and a running seconds display at 12 o’clock, along with a central chronograph seconds hand. The date at 3 o’clock sits recessed, a result of the modular construction, which some collectors enjoy for the extra depth it gives the dial.
Though hidden by the solid caseback, the calibre is decorated with a 22k gold rotor engraved with the Audemars and Piguet family crests, mounted on ceramic ball bearings to improve winding efficiency. The movement is secured within the case by a screw-down crown with a rubber surround and rubber-coated pushers, keeping the watch water resistant to 100 meters.
Having looked under the hood, let’s return to how the Safari feels in daily wear, both visually and physically.
Wearing the Safari
At 42mm in diameter and 14.2mm thick, the Safari wears larger than the numbers suggest. The wide bezel, tall mid-case, and rubber-coated pushers make it stand taller on the wrist compared to slimmer chronographs. It’s not a watch that disappears quietly – when you’re wearing it, you’re aware of its size, and so is everyone else around you. Even so, the curved caseback and short lugs help it sit securely, so it remains manageable for medium wrists rather than feeling oversized or unbalanced.
The hornback strap starts out firm but softens with wear, gradually molding to the wrist. That break-in period is why many owners say the Safari becomes more comfortable over time. The deployant clasp, however, can feel a bit tight on certain wrist sizes when worn in its standard position, since it tends to sit right where the wrist bends. A simple adjustment offered at the boutique is to reverse the strap orientation, which shifts the clasp to a different spot and makes the watch noticeably easier to wear for long stretches.
In terms of style, the Safari naturally pairs with casual wear like jeans, polos, or a relaxed weekend outfit. At the same time, the cream dial and brown strap give it enough character to hold its own in slightly dressier settings, provided the cuff isn’t too tight. Unlike slimmer Royal Oak models that disappear under a sleeve, the Safari has a bulkier build, so it tends to stand out rather than stay hidden.
Before moving to final thoughts, let’s condense everything into a clear list of specifications.
Safari Specs at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Case | 42mm stainless steel with vertical brushed finish and polished bevels |
| Case Details | Thickness: 14.2mm; octagonal shape with visible black gasket; curved solid back engraved “Royal Oak Offshore” and fixed with 8 screws |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Caseback | Solid stainless steel, engraved with “Royal Oak Offshore,” secured by 8 circular screws |
| Bezel | Stainless steel, vertical brushed with polished bevels, fixed with 8 hexagonal screws |
| Bezel Details | Wide profile that contributes to its larger wrist presence |
| Dial | Cream-toned “Méga Tapisserie” pattern with applied Arabic numerals (black with silver outline); three white subdials (12-hour at 6, 30-minute at 9, running seconds at 12); tachymeter scale on lighter-toned chapter ring |
| Dial Details | Date window recessed at 3 o’clock with AP logo to the left; hands with lume, limited night glow |
| Strap | Brown hornback alligator with cream stitching and cream-colored underside; removable for alternate AP strap or bracelet |
| Clasp | Stainless steel deployant clasp; some wearers reverse strap orientation for improved comfort |
| Movement | Audemars Piguet calibre 3126/3840, automatic, 21,600 vph, 59 jewels, 365 components, ~50–55h power reserve, 22k gold rotor with family crests |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date (recessed at 3 o’clock), 12-hour chronograph (6), 30-minute counter (9), running seconds (12), tachymeter scale |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters / 330 feet, with screw-down crown and rubber-coated pushers |
| On-Wrist Feel | Wears larger than its size due to bezel and thickness; strap softens with time; deployant clasp may feel tight but adjustable; more casual but can handle smart settings |
Collectors and the Safari Today
So why do collectors still hunt for the Royal Oak Offshore Safari? Because it marks a turning point in the Offshore story. Introduced with a look no other model carried, and discontinued after less than a decade, the Safari became the reference that stood out for its distinct dial and strap combination. Its cream-toned dial paired with the brown hornback strap gave it an adventurous spirit that still sets it apart in today’s market.
Want to see it in action?
Check out our video tour of the Audemars Piguet Safari 26170ST and experience the details up close here.
