considering my first AP - UK availability, and owners thoughts?

[JSolution]

Hello everybody.

As the title suggests, i'm considering my first AP, the 15500 steel, with black dial. (Sorry no photos Iphone is broken)

I have absolutley no knowledge of AP, but have quite an extensive rolex collection.

First question is UK availability, can i walk into a store and put my name down one of these? I live in London if anyone can advise of the process for one of these, they sell for above retail so assuming there's a waitlist, can i get one without any history?

As mentioned before, i have quite an extensive rolex collection, including a dd40, which is more or less the same price as this will cost me, so is it really that good of a watch to pay for just steel when you can buy a full gold rolex for the same money?

Any other general information on AP and this model would be great, i'm a 100% novice.

Thanks in advance.

[AK797]

In London you are probably looking at a 1 year plus wait for the black dial, maybe shorter if you are super nice and attractive to your boutique manager. As you have many Rolexes I might sell a couple and go grey on this AP as you don't know if you will want more in the future and this might be the only one.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by AK797

In London you are probably looking at a 1 year plus wait for the black dial, maybe shorter if you are super nice and attractive to your boutique manager. As you have many Rolexes I might sell a couple and go grey on this AP as you don't know if you will want more in the future and this might be the only one.

I'm actually happy to wait for this one, although i have bought everything else grey.

thanks for the reply, is the black dial a difficult one to obtain then, i imagine blue is the hardest? only guessing of course. would a white dial be easier?

[dj-dulux]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I'm actually happy to wait for this one, although i have bought everything else grey.

thanks for the reply, is the black dial a difficult one to obtain then, i imagine blue is the hardest? only guessing of course. would a white dial be easier?

Blue hardest and boutique only. White next, then grey, then black. As white new it maybe a blip. I recon all but blue within 18 months or so. Ap ad in Leeds seems to have the most honest wait list process...

Dupe....

[Jgives]

Same as a DD40? It’s closer to half the cost than the same cost. And yes, it’s worth it.

[Fishrus]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I'm actually happy to wait for this one, although i have bought everything else grey.

thanks for the reply, is the black dial a difficult one to obtain then, i imagine blue is the hardest? only guessing of course. would a white dial be easier?

Generally all the other colors except blue should be obtainable at the boutique with a short to medium waiting list.

[Benzsiam]

SS model is always harder to get, if you want faster, go for rose gold (15500OR with bracelet). It's such gorgeous timepiece.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

SS model is always harder to get, if you want faster, go for rose gold (15500OR with bracelet). It's such gorgeous timepiece.

I have been debating this over the last couple of days, do you own one?

[JSolution]

tried the steel 15500 on today, at a grey dealer, extremley underwhelmed. tried 3 dial variations was most drawn to the grey dial. won't be buying a steel one.

wil give the full rose gold a try when i can.

i did try on a rose gold patek 5980 on leather, that i liked.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by JSolution

tried the steel 15500 on today, at a grey dealer, extremley underwhelmed. tried 3 dial variations was most drawn to the grey dial. won't be buying a steel one.

wil give the full rose gold a try when i can.

i did try on a rose gold patek 5980 on leather, that i liked.

That Patek was my first PP love, was sublime to me but way out of my price range at the time as I was grappling with spending on a Subc back then, eventually I got a 5711R over the 5980R, could have happily got either tbh, and sounds like the RG RO will really tick your boxes.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by JSolution

tried the steel 15500 on today, at a grey dealer, extremley underwhelmed. tried 3 dial variations was most drawn to the grey dial. won't be buying a steel one.

wil give the full rose gold a try when i can.

i did try on a rose gold patek 5980 on leather, that i liked.

Curious what left you underwhelmed ?

And yes the full gold RO is stunning.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Burlington

Curious what left you underwhelmed ?

And yes the full gold RO is stunning.

Actually that was my first reaction as well - my problem was I handled a gold RO first and then when I tried on the SS the bracelet felt flimsy and reminded me of the pre-ceramic Rolex bracelets that felt too cheap for the watch even tho they were very comfy, but these were luxury purchases to me primarily. I have the same issue with the Naut SS bracelet but as that is a more delicate PP I am more forgiving of that, plus it does look very lightweight but the RO bracelet decidedly does not.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I have been debating this over the last couple of days, do you own one?

Yes, it's gorgeous timepiece and easier to acquire.

I also like Rolex, I think it's more reasonable price and looks good too, but it's good to have various brands.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Burlington

Curious what left you underwhelmed ?

And yes the full gold RO is stunning.

In a nutshell, exactly what ak797 said.

Not what i expected after reading the hodinkee review etc etc.

still yet to try that rose gold bracelet version will update how i get on.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

Yes, it's gorgeous timepiece and easier to acquire.

I also like Rolex, I think it's more reasonable price and looks good too, but it's good to have various brands.

looks amazing.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by AK797

That Patek was my first PP love, was sublime to me but way out of my price range at the time as I was grappling with spending on a Subc back then, eventually I got a 5711R over the 5980R, could have happily got either tbh, and sounds like the RG RO will really tick your boxes.

the more i see that patek of yours the more i like it, i need to try one on. that could be the winner you know, i really liked the one i tried on so the model you have on a bracelet could well be the watch im looking for. does it have alot of weight to it?