AP Royal Oak at the wrist

The diameter of the ROC is 41mm x 10mm thick.  Up until 2012, the Royal Oak Chronograph was 39mm. Some would say that when AP upsized this watch, it lost a little of its charm.  I happen to be one of them. 

The Royal Oak has been 39mm since the day Genta designed it.  Sure, there were a few smaller ones here and there, but 39mm is the size that made the Royal Oak what it is – whether you're talking about the ultra-thin Jumbo or the basic self-winding 15300 (now 15400 in 41mm).  The Royal Oak is one of those rare watches where it is greater than the sum of its parts, and the incredible wearability of the Royal Oak was made possible by just downright perfect proportions.  By making the head of the watch 2mm wider, AP upset that balance just a little bit.  I didn't find this ROC to be too big at all though.  In fact I would say that if this watch never existed in 39mm and was introduced just this year in 41mm I would have no complaints about it.  But, having worn (if briefly) a friend's ROC's in 39mm, it's hard not to compare them.  

In 39 or 41mm, the ROC lays absolutely beautifully on the wrist.  The rose gold bracelet drapes down the wrist in a fluid way that is, well, okay i'm going to say it, just perfect.  The beautifully finished bracelet that I talked about above is incredibly comfortable, and the clasp is both secure and easy to use.