I am the second owner of this watch. The original owner purchased it in Dec 2011 and by all accounts very much enjoyed wearing this piece (not a safe queen) for the past 2 years and except for a little shine on the rubber, look as if it walked out of the AD and onto my wrist.
I love the little details on the Galapagos, for example the hands (and applied markers)are black on the edges, but "polished" black in that 99% of the time they look, well, black, but when the light hits them the right way, they shine like polished chrome. Very satisfying to see against the all black case.
The detail on the dial is extraordinary with many depth and elevation changes, the yellow second hand, crisp day/date and radial sub dials.
Yes, the black rubber is the only option, but honestly I can't think anything else would look appropriate, so no issue there.
Super comfortable to wear and overall just exceptional.



