Battle: RO Double Balance Openworked | Overseas Tourbillion Skeleton

[hl0m4n]

if you had to decide between the two, which would you choose and why?

royal oak openworked 41mm:
pros:
- ap horology
- hacking seconds
- double balance
- bracelet
- 22k rotor

cons:
- 45 hour power reserve

overseas skeleton 42.5mm:
pros:
- oldest watch manufacture
- grade 5 titanium
- tourbillion
- 80 hour power reserve
- bracelet swap system
- peripheral rotor
- 22k rotor

cons:
- no hacking seconds
- not independent (Richemont)

[J.T.]

I've never seen the VC in person, but that peripheral rotor is super cool and the tourb is the icing on the cake that would definitely have me considering switching to the dark side

[Commandopat]

Both are stunning. The text on the crystal of the VC really ruins it for me.

[Moondoggy]

VC for me

[Reign]

The VC tourb is better. I hate the size but it’s an openworked tourb and the finishing is much better than the DB.

That said, it is 2.5x the AP so you get what you pay for I suppose - I hate that it’s 42mm though


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[Presa canary]

The dial is soooo much better on the ap.

The backside is so much better on the vc.

You a face guy or an arseman?

[APhound]

Jeeeez
I’ve never even seen an overseas but that thing looks pretty amazing! I’m an AP fanboy but I’m going to have to take the VC. Is it stainless as well?


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[VogelPhoenix]

Like the AP better from the front, and that's what I look at most of the time. Not a fan of the print on the VC crystal. So, AP for me (and twice if I'm paying...).

[xliang23]

AP. Due to the font on on the crystal as before. But mainly because honestly the size of the VC is comical on any wrist under 7.5-8 inches. It's massive.

Also the VC is in titanium which is super light. A bit too light for my liking for a metal-looking piece (ceramic lightness is ok for me, I guess because it is not a metal)

[PT_91]

Originally Posted by Presa canary

The dial is soooo much better on the ap.

The backside is so much better on the vc.

You a face guy or an arseman?

Couldn't agree more!

[Vince_76]

AP. The 15407 has the most beautiful openworked dial imo

[WatchEater666]

The AP but at current actual prices you might as well get something from a good independent like Gauthier or Voutilainen that will be 10x the watch for the same $

[rmlovett1]

Being a new owner of the 15407 I’m definitely biased. That VC is beautiful, and it’s a tourb, but I personally don’t think it’s worth 2x the price. If prices were equal…I’d still choose the AP at this point. VC is on my radar now that I’ve expanded past Rolex, but this wouldn’t be my first VC if I were buying one today.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by J.T.

I've never seen the VC in person, but that peripheral rotor is super cool and the tourb is the icing on the cake that would definitely have me considering switching to the dark side

Yes


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[trackingtime]

asking a AP sub forum if a VC is better. lol

can't compare, a skele double balance vs tourb skele

a better comparison would be this, movement wise, i take the VC over the AP
but case and bracelet design, i take the AP over the VC

[Pfang56]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

if you had to decide between the two, which would you choose and why?

royal oak openworked 41mm:
pros:
- ap horology
- hacking seconds
- double balance
- bracelet
- 22k rotor

cons:
- 45 hour power reserve

overseas skeleton 42.5mm:
pros:
- oldest watch manufacture
- grade 5 titanium
- tourbillion
- 80 hour power reserve
- bracelet swap system
- peripheral rotor
- 22k rotor

cons:
- no hacking seconds
- not independent (Richemont)

I'm a total AP fanboy but the VC is next level. Not a fair comparison at all and the VC wins including on price :)

As another poster shared - compare the AP skeleton Tourbillon vs the VC skeleton Tourbillon, and the AP wins hands down. The architecture and the finishing on the AP is incredibly special.

Peter


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Both are stunning. The text on the crystal of the VC really ruins it for me.

I that was was a stock photo impression…

I agree, I wouldn’t want that on a dial

[epic]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

if you had to decide between the two, which would you choose and why?

royal oak openworked 41mm:
pros:
- ap horology
- hacking seconds
- double balance
- bracelet
- 22k rotor

cons:
- 45 hour power reserve

overseas skeleton 42.5mm:
pros:
- oldest watch manufacture
- grade 5 titanium
- tourbillion
- 80 hour power reserve
- bracelet swap system
- peripheral rotor
- 22k rotor

cons:
- no hacking seconds
- not independent (Richemont)

Between these 2 its not even close, its VC for me every day.
I think the VC wearability is levels ahead of this AP in comparison.
Quick strap change mechanism and not to mention the micro adjustment on the fly.

Not to misunderstand that I am bashing AP, I am currently an owner of 4 APs in my collection.
AP in recent few years is at best improving in small steps and taking 3 big steps backwards in terms of pricing and features of the watch.
Sorry to say and still hoping AP would catch up in these few points stated above.

[DonLee]

I couldn't even wear the 42.5mm VC. AP every day, and it's half the price.

[V25V]

Man I so wish the 15407 was 39mm. I love the 15305 but feel the hands get lost in the background of the movement, where the 15407 fixed that. Just why oh why did they do this in 41mm.... ugh

[raclaims]

The AP is great but the vc in this comparo is the winner

As stated above a more apt comparison is the openwerked AP tourb (I own it- it’s epic) but its stainless steel vs ti - so that’s up to the owner which they prefer

All are tremendous pieces of absolute stunning art you can’t make a wrong decision really

[raclaims]

Oh and the AP flying tourb costs $100k more than the vc

[Willyjo]

Originally Posted by trackingtime

asking a AP sub forum if a VC is better. lol

can't compare, a skele double balance vs tourb skele

a better comparison would be this, movement wise, i take the VC over the AP
but case and bracelet design, i take the AP over the VC

Spot on. Much better comparison.

However, I still pick both AP open works vs the VC!


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[VogelPhoenix]

Voted already, but coming back to this and looking at it from a composition/architecture/design POV (i.e, not horology/number of interior angles carved by Swiss elves with their bare hands), I find the AP superior. The use of color, the asymmetrical layout with the prominent bridge, the choice of skeletonization, minimizing script/hour markers and relegating them to the chapter ring, which works perfectly with the too-small movement - all pure genius. And it's all function, no kitschy details like the Maltese cross across VC tourbillon.

The VC may be technically/horologically more accomplished (although the double-balance approach is more rare), but the overall design is just business-like, without the flair of the AP. All IMO, of course.

[hl0m4n]

[usmc_k9_vet]

VC for me, but take that with a grain of salt. I don’t even have a basic model from either yet.


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