While Black Rubber is and has always remained the iconic strap for Royal Oak Offshore timepieces in steel, the increasing number of strap colors has opened up new possibilities for personalization. Above and beyond the range of different Greys and Blue Rubber Straps available for the Offshore, AP Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Straps in Navy have become a particularly sought-after alternative to Black Rubber for the Offshore and Offshore Diver models. At Gift of Time Luxury, watch band & straps, we stock AP Royal Oak Offshore Navy Rubber Straps for the Diver model as well as for the larger Offshore cases and the corresponding AP 24mm Tang Buckles in Stainless Steel to complete the changeover. Here, we explore the reasons why Navy Rubber Straps have become so popular, how strap sizes differ for the various AP Offshore references, and we detail the currently available alternatives from Gift of Time Luxury.
Why a Navy AP Royal Oak Offshore Strap Works So Well
Navy is a color that sits between too light and too dark to be confused with Black Rubber. It is also sufficiently dark to not compete with the steel case of the Offshore, yet not so dark that it is not visible. On a brushed steel case, the navy strap takes on a slightly bluish or cool color. Furthermore, navy Rubber looks great on photographs, whether indoors or outdoors. The color remains legible and rich in all lighting situations. Lighter blues such as Aqua or Sky Blue, on the other hand tend to wash out quickly and do not look as good on photographs.
Versatility-wise, navy rubber will pair perfectly with more casual attire but also dress up well enough to complement more formal occasions. So while a black rubber strap will also work for formal occasions, a navy rubber strap edges it out for a strap that doesn’t scream ‘sports watch’. To that end, the navy rubber strap is ideal for people with very active weekends who also wear their timepiece to the office during the week.
Dial color is also an important consideration when selecting a watch band. Navy rubber strap pairs very well with black, grey, and blue dial watches. Often the strap will pick up on some of the tones in the watch dial. On a watch with a simple black dial and white sub-dials, the navy rubber strap adds a splash of color without making the entire watch a statement piece. The intensity of the color of the rubber strap can also be toned down by choosing a Watch Band with a slightly opaque finish. Conversely, a Watch Band with a highly transparent finish will intensify the color and add more visual interest to the timepiece.
Matching Your AP Royal Oak Offshore Strap to the Right Case
The lugs of an Audemars Piguet Diver 15703 or a larger 44mm Royal Oak Offshore model measure 28mm or 30mm respectively. The tang buckle of all Offshore straps measures 24mm. Be sure to get the right size for your watch model to avoid ordering a rubber strap that does not fit. We have an Audemars Piguet Diver 15703 OEM Navy Rubber Tang Strap 28x24MM in stock that fits the 28mm lugs of the 28mm lugged AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver watches. We also have an Audemars Piguet OEM Navy Blue Rubber Tang Strap 30x24MM (Fits 44MM AP ROO Watch) that fits the 30mm lugs of the 44mm Royal Oak Offshore models.
The Audemars Piguet Diver 15703 OEM Navy Rubber Tang Strap 28x24MM is specifically made for the 28mm lug width on the Diver case, replicating the original Audemars Piguet factory strap perfectly in terms of the curve and taper of the strap on the lugs. The Audemars Piguet OEM Navy Blue Rubber Tang Strap 30x24MM (Fits 44MM AP ROO Watch) would be an alternative for the larger Offshore case sizes measuring 44mm, which have a 30mm lug width. Both straps have a 24mm tang buckle, so the only thing left to choose is the correct size strap for your AP Offshore model.
Be sure to confirm the reference number of your Offshore model as well as its case diameter – as there are Offshore models of similar exterior dimensions but with different lug width dimensions (i.e., different strap sizes). Even identical-looking Divers will have different lug widths depending upon whether they are “older” or “newer” models. So always cross-reference the reference # with the appropriate strap listing prior to ordering.
What Makes an OEM AP Royal Oak Offshore Strap Worth the Switch
Rubber is a vastly more variable commodity than most people give it credit for. It degrades rather quickly to become stiff, brittle, and, more importantly for a colored rubber strap, to change color and become washed out. This degradation is accelerated by exposure to sunlight. OEM grade rubber is formulated to retain its flexibility and color for far longer than lower grade alternatives. For a strap that you will wear on a daily basis, it makes sense to invest in the best.
For rubber straps, not only does the quality of the rubber itself vary greatly between different manufacturers, but also how well a strap fits to a watch can vary greatly. Often a strap may state that it is for a particular model; however, when you receive the strap and try it on your watch, you may find that the strap does not sit correctly against the case and that there is a small but noticeable gap between the strap and the watch. This is particularly noticeable in the first few weeks of wear as the rubber begins to break in and conform to the watch. An AP Royal Oak Offshore strap made to OEM specifications will have the correct width, and also the correct taper and thickness to match the original factory strap.
Caring for rubber straps is minimal and the same for all rubber types. Give your strap a rinse after spending time by the pool or beach in saltwater or with chlorine (diving, hot tubs, etc.) and let it dry naturally. After that, forget about it! It’s really that easy to maintain your Offshore Rubber Straps and last just as long as, or even longer than, your Royal Oak Offshore timepiece.
Buckle Pairings for Your AP Royal Oak Offshore Strap
A simple swap of strap to watch also merits a look at the buckle. The constant flexing of a tang buckle leads to wear and tear that can make them appear somewhat battered. If your current buckle is scratched or loose, our Audemars Piguet 24MM Tang Stainless Steel Buckle (24MM) could be just what you need. It is designed to be used with either the 28mm navy rubber strap for the AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver (15703) or the 30mm version for the 44mm Royal Oak Offshore models, both using a 24MM tang buckle. Replacing your watch straps and buckle as part of a refresh of your timepieces can add up to give your watch a completely new look.
Of course, we would not recommend a new buckle if the existing one is in good shape. But we do recommend taking a close look at the finish. When pairing a rubber strap with a watch, the buckle finish should match the case and the strap’s counterpart. In many cases, the best pairs are brushed and polished. A new strap in a rich color such as navy looks especially great when paired with a brushed and polished buckle on the wrist.
Making the Switch
So, navy rubber straps for the Royal Oak Offshore make a great alternative to black rubber straps. To make things easy for you, we have outlined a few simple steps to find the correct strap for your Royal Oak Offshore watch. Firstly, identify your Royal Oak Offshore reference number. Secondly, check the lug width of your watch (the diameter of the band of metal that holds the strap in place). Is it 28mm (an Offshore Diver) or 30mm (a 44mm Offshore model)? Finally, select the correct strap and the tang buckle will be 24mm wide for both. Replacing the strap and buckle of your Royal Oak Offshore watch is a quick and easy process that takes a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What size AP Royal Oak Offshore strap fits the Diver 15703?
The Diver 15703 uses a 28mm lug width tapering to a 24mm tang buckle, so you'll want the 28x24MM navy strap rather than the 30x24MM version made for the larger 44MM Offshore cases.
2. Will a 28mm AP Royal Oak Offshore strap fit a 44mm Offshore case?
No, the 44MM Offshore cases require a wider 30mm lug width, so a 28mm strap will not seat correctly on that model.
3. Is this an authentic OEM AP Royal Oak Offshore strap?
Yes, the straps in our collection are sourced as genuine OEM parts, built to the same lug curve and taper as Audemars Piguet's own factory-fitted straps.
4. Can I use my current tang buckle with a new navy strap?
Yes, as long as your existing buckle is 24mm wide, which is the standard width across both the 28mm and 30mm AP Royal Oak Offshore strap options.
5. How does navy rubber compare to black on a Royal Oak Offshore?
Navy offers a similar durability profile to black rubber but reads as slightly more versatile, working well across both casual and semi-formal settings without looking purely sport-oriented.
6. Does an AP Royal Oak Offshore strap in navy fade over time?
OEM-grade navy rubber holds its color better than lower-grade alternatives, though all rubber will show some fading with years of consistent sun exposure.
7. What's the difference between the 28x24mm and 30x24mm navy strap options?
Both use a 24mm tang buckle, but the 28mm version fits the Royal Oak Offshore Diver 15703 while the 30mm version is sized for the larger 44MM Royal Oak Offshore models.
8. Should I replace the buckle when switching to a navy AP Royal Oak Offshore strap?
It's not required, but replacing a worn or mismatched buckle at the same time gives the whole strap assembly a more finished, cohesive look.
9. Why buy an AP Royal Oak Offshore strap from a dedicated watch band & straps store?
A dedicated watch band & straps store checks lug widths and buckle compatibility against the exact reference number, which reduces the risk of ordering a strap that doesn't seat properly on your case.
10. Does a navy strap suit both black and blue dial Royal Oak Offshore models?
Yes, navy tends to complement black, grey, and blue dials well, picking up on tones already present in the dial rather than competing with them.