RG Daytona or Royal Oak?

[Exceptional]

Would appreciate some feedback.

I am looking to buy my first RG piece, I want this to be my daily watch (or at least most worn watch, to work etc). I am interested in the rubber strap models as I feel they provide a nice balance between PM and casual look. My choices are:

116515LN - This is the most cost effective and easiest to obtain. Have been told I can be placed on the list if I want this.


15500OR (I would change to a rubber strap) - I am not sure on availability? But its absolutely beautiful.


15500OR Bracelet (grail piece) - This would be the one I would opt for if cost wasn't a factor, but currently not sure I am at the point in life to drop this much cash on a watch. However, could be purchased easily within a couple of years if I don't purchase any other watch.


Runner up - Patek Aquanaut 5167r, but unattainable for MSRP so this is out for now.

I started this in the AP forum, as I prefer the AP's. Would appreciate some feedback on:
1. Which would you choose of the 3 and why? Would you enjoy the Rolex for now and move to a RO later, or buy the croc strap RO now and potentially add the bracelet down the line, or yolo and go full grail!
2. Can anyone advise on availability of these RO models? I am assuming theres a wait. So far, I have only contacted a few ADs and have been told its out of stock and nothing much else in terms of if I can purchase one, and can't go out to visit any ADs yet. I know some grey dealers who can get this easily but don't want to pay over MSRP. I was told the steel was unavailable last year and was shown some diamond bezel ones lol.
3. Would you recommend the RG RO as a daily watch? If not, why? I hear they are delicate.
4. Can the croc strap model be ordered in rubber from AP? If not, does anyone know how much the rubber strap is and whether you have to buy from a grey?
5. Would you expect a discount on PM?

Many thanks in advance

[AK797]

The Daytona is a wonderful piece and the most Haute Rolex I have owned but the AP is a cut above, esp when finished in RG. I would get the bracelet version, because it is AP's RO wheelhouse plus the leather strap on a gold piece is flimsy and tears easily around the lugs, certainly the rubber strap is the best option if you settle for a strap.

[singe89]

Royal Oaks belong on a bracelet. So much of the beauty of the finishing is the in the bracelet and how it flows perfectly with the watch case.

[Fishrus]

It seems like your heart is already set on the AP so why settle for less?

You really can't go wrong with either, but get the watch you really want as you may regret settling for the second choice.

AP may be more expensive but you really get your moneys worth with its gorgeous finishing and bracelet.

I don't think the 15500OR is that hard to get compared to the ST. You should be able to get one at the boutique if I'm not wrong.

Plus AP is pretty sincere with their waiting list as compared to Rolex IMO.

We have plenty of people here who daily their ROs so i don't see any reason why you can't. But the RO will show scratches more easily than the Daytona. Most people wouldn't be able to tell, much less care though.

I don't think the boutiques give discounts now but i guess it varies country by country.

[joe240]

Between three choices, myself I’d go with the rg Daytona. This is due to my wrist being 6.5” and Daytona fitting better than ap 15500. I just don’t like aquanaut dial groove globe design. That said you are comparing chrono to three handers from others. Ap royal oak has two size choices of chrono and Patek has aqauant chrono too.

[alexlt730512]

royal oak for sure if you compare these two.

[Mbbgysam]

I used to have the RG Yachtmaster on oysterflex and it was honestly a super resilient watch. I'd go the Daytona on oysterflex route if you're planning to wear it daily since there isn't a lot of gold exposed that can get scratched (unlike the RO).

I also used to have a 15450 that I added plots and a black alligator strap from AP to. It looked great, but I still much preferred the bracelet. So if you're really gunning for the AP, I'd have to say go full RG!

[Famz_01]

I own both royal oak is in a different league

[sgwatchguy]

What’s your wrist size? Those watches aren’t the same size to begin with. So if you have a 7.5” the Daytona will wear very small but if you have a 6.5” wrist then AP wears large.
Neither of those pieces should be difficult to buy.
The Daytona has a very busy dial while the AP’s dial has a lot of negative/blank space. What will you like looking at?


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[fafmcm85]

Ap

[GoingPlaces]

All amazing options. If you want something more low key the Daytona is the way to go. Otherwise wait and get the all gold RO, it's a stunning piece.

[strettyend]

RO full rose on bracelet. You need the bracelet.

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Get the AP - But just be very aware that AP’s aren’t cheap and nor are their repairs and maintainence.
When you get the RO - make sure to put aside $1000-$1500 for your mandatory 3 year cleaning/re-oiling/servicing..
I made the mistake of going 8 years with no servicing - the watch ceased and had to shell out $3500 for a new main spring and some other parts from AP.....

[CKizzy]

Daytona is a classic piece!

[Soondooboo]

Originally Posted by 2000-NJDEVILS

Get the AP - But just be very aware that AP’s aren’t cheap and nor are their repairs and maintainence.
When you get the RO - make sure to put aside $1000-$1500 for your mandatory 3 year cleaning/re-oiling/servicing..
I made the mistake of going 8 years with no servicing - the watch ceased and had to shell out $3500 for a new main spring and some other parts from AP.....

sounds like you broke even lol

[macrowatch]

Very tough call. I have that RG OF and SS RO. It’s even more hard because fit is a bit hard IMO for both watches, so best to try on.

As many other have said, RO bracelet option is a must. Part of the appeal of the watch. Kind of paradoxical, but I’d say Daytona feels like a 30k watch when worn. RO looks the part of a 50k watch but doesn’t feel like it, crown flimsy and all.

Overall, I give the very slight edge to RG OF. However, of the RO is the grail, don’t settle.

Wait time last year was about 3M for that RO model. So should not be bad at all wait time wise.

[aw9nineteen]

Originally Posted by Soondooboo

sounds like you broke even lol

HAHAHAHA


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[yoast]

#yolo

[Ar_Mi]

Some interesting responses.
Since were on the ROC vs Daytona topic,
which would you guys choose between these two specific models then?

[Benzsiam]

15500OR with bracelet is stunning timepiece.

I just got it before the lockdown, I love it so much.

[Exceptional]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

15500OR with bracelet is stunning timepiece.

I just got it before the lockdown, I love it so much.

Yes, I saw your pic in the other thread. Congrats!

Was it easy to obtain?

[strettyend]

Originally Posted by Ar_Mi

Some interesting responses.
Since were on the ROC vs Daytona topic,
which would you guys choose between these two specific models then?

The AP no question

[TankTom]

Originally Posted by singe89

Royal Oaks belong on a bracelet. So much of the beauty of the finishing is the in the bracelet and how it flows perfectly with the watch case.

This

[srvrf]

In my collecting I had two SS Daytonas and then a SS ROC and then a 39mm RG ROC (bracelet and strap) with a 5167/1A (bracelet and strap). I'm not too rough on my watches and don't really mind scratches but I do wear both watches on rubber during short sleeve weather. Having the ROC on a full gold bracelet is a grail and a forever watch for me. So the way I played the game was to get the ROC on a leather strap and then I bought a brown rubber strap and full RG bracelet for versatility. But when it comes to your case and the Daytona, the ceramic bezel and 100m WR may make it more suitable for a daily wear watch.

Specifically with these two choices (The OP and Ar_Mi), I'd personally have to go with the Daytonas because the 41mm APs are too big for my 6.5" wrist. Throw in the older 39mm or newer 38mm APs then AP no question for me.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Ar_Mi

Some interesting responses.
Since were on the ROC vs Daytona topic,
which would you guys choose between these two specific models then?

For this pair, I would pick Daytona Yellow Gold with Green Dial, it's stunning.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Exceptional

Yes, I saw your pic in the other thread. Congrats!

Was it easy to obtain?

I put a refundable $1000 deposit in February. At that time AD told me that I was a second person in line, but this AD supposed to get only one more 15500OR for this year, so that was mean I would get it next year. When the pandemic happened, I email them ask for my deposit back before they lockdown. They issued a check for me, I went to pick up the check just one day before they closed the shop. At that day, my SA show me the watch that just came in for the person ahead of me. I told them that if that person change his mind, I will take it. They had not called that person yet, since that is the last day before they closed the shop, The owner told SA that go ahead and sell it to me and let the other person get the next one. I think I just got lucky.

Since the economy will be in recession, I think everything will be easier now.

[kd845]

If you can make the stretch, go AP with a bracelet. On a sunny NY day, its blinding.

[Mbbgysam]

Originally Posted by kd845

If you can make the stretch, go AP with a bracelet. On a sunny NY day, its blinding.

Total stunner!!

[porschejeff]

Those AP's in RG are gorgeous. I am in process of selling my 116515, may have to look again the AP RG line up.

[Benzsiam]

If you compare PM and PM bracelet of both brands, AP bracelet always looks better, but it will cost about $20k more than Rolex.

I agree that if you want to get AP 26331OR, go all the way with rose gold bracelet, it's stunning timepiece.