AP buying advice

[miamiman]

hi guys , I am really interested in buying my first AP 15500st ,the only problem is that ive been looking at review videos on youtube and today I saw that archie luxury was telling everyone to stay away from the AP watches because of the extremely expensive service costs and that basically the watch is very problematic , can you guys advise if it is a problematic watch or is it a watch that would last me years of trouble free use.

[roxobox]

I could tell you the same thing about Ferrari. Extremely expensive service costs and they're not as reliable as a Kia (I mean probably... maybe today they are? you get the point...).

But god damn do I love looking at it... :)

[fullofboats]

I wouldn’t listen to anything Archie has to say. He’s more YouTube “entertainer” than serious advice.

[WWC]

I probably wouldn’t listen to what he has to say as his views are quite extreme, that being my own opinion.

I’ve owned my 15500ST for a bit over a week and I must say that it’s extremely accurate 4302 movement compared to the 3120 on the previous generation 15400ST. If I’m not mistaken, I think Archie was probably referring to previous generations of RO?

Indeed service costs will be expensive, if you want a cheaper service maybe consider other brands such as Rolex or Omega?

[Baco Noir]

Archie is an idiot. My 15400 is 5.5 years old - no issues and just sent in for service, $1250 with service and case/bracelet refinishing, which is less on a % basis than Rolex.

[GB-man]

Listen to roger. New APs come with a 5 year warranty. Side note why on earth would you listen to that moron.

[bondtoys]

I love Archie for what he is: An entertainer!

Some weeks ago, his advise was Rolex, Rolex, Rolex and now he's totally on the Patek train.
That'll change soon - and his advise may change with the change in his preferences.

I have an AP FC diver since more than 4 years now - no issues and a nice change to my Rolex watches. I'd buy her again in a heartbeat.

[karasus]

Originally Posted by miamiman

hi guys , I am really interested in buying my first AP 15500st ,the only problem is that ive been looking at review videos on youtube and today I saw that archie luxury was telling everyone to stay away from the AP watches because of the extremely expensive service costs and that basically the watch is very problematic , can you guys advise if it is a problematic watch or is it a watch that would last me years of trouble free use.

Archie is fun and entertaining, but i would take his advice with a grain of salt. He bought a used Royal Oak, I believe a 14970ST black dial without service.

Then when he did the service he had to pay 2k austrailian, no idea what it is in US but should be 1.2-1.5k US. This is an ok service cost on a 15+ year old watch. You pay about the same for rolex.

Basically he bought the watch used without service history and the previous owner pushed to service cost onto him. He took a gamble on the service history and it didn't pay off.

When buying used i always factor in 1.5k for movement service for watches less than 25 years old. AP has pretty much a fixed service price of 1.5k for all watches made in the last 25 years. Watches above 25 years are vintage and you have to get a separate quote and prices there can vary quite a bit.

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by WWC

I probably wouldn’t listen to what he has to say as his views are quite extreme, that being my own opinion.

I’ve owned my 15500ST for a bit over a week and I must say that it’s extremely accurate 4302 movement compared to the 3120 on the previous generation 15400ST. If I’m not mistaken, I think Archie was probably referring to previous generations of RO?

Indeed service costs will be expensive, if you want a cheaper service maybe consider other brands such as Rolex or Omega?

Hello, which dial did you get in the end? I was part of your earlier thread and I do not recall if you disclose the dial color between grey and black. How do you like it?

[systematic.entropy]

Archie is a lot of things. Near the top of the list is "entertainer"... somewhere near the bottom is a "horological expert".

In my opinion, AP service costs are appropriate for the AP price point. These aren't ETA 2824s or Val 7750s, I have a hunch, the lion's share of the service cost can be justified in inspection time and finishing. And that just comes down to man hours, no way around it.

That being said, new APs, come with a five year warranty. And that warranty follows the watch. So, even a pre-owned watch could be under warranty. Furthermore, AP Service in the US (Clearwater) seems to be top notch, I currently have a piece in with them, and the courtesy and communication has been amazing.

[miamiman]

thanks for the info guys , im still on the waiting list ,hopefully I get the call this year and i pull the trigger....I would like the blue dial but I think its going to be tough to get maybe the black or white dial . im not sure now on what to get , I would like to get a dial thats universally liked incase one day I want to sell the watch.

[vakman]

AP service costs 800 euro’s i think and Rolex service costs 600 euro so not a big differance.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

Archie is an idiot. My 15400 is 5.5 years old - no issues and just sent in for service, $1250 with service and case/bracelet refinishing, which is less on a % basis than Rolex.

+10.

[andrewjoo7]

Originally Posted by miamiman

hi guys , I am really interested in buying my first AP 15500st ,the only problem is that ive been looking at review videos on youtube and today I saw that archie luxury was telling everyone to stay away from the AP watches because of the extremely expensive service costs and that basically the watch is very problematic , can you guys advise if it is a problematic watch or is it a watch that would last me years of trouble free use.

that wanker only buys 20+year old watches don't listen to that "fucker"

[andrewjoo7]

Originally Posted by miamiman

thanks for the info guys , im still on the waiting list ,hopefully I get the call this year and i pull the trigger....I would like the blue dial but I think its going to be tough to get maybe the black or white dial . im not sure now on what to get , I would like to get a dial thats universally liked incase one day I want to sell the watch.

btw they don't make the white dial 15500

[Burlington]

You get what you pay for.

Having seen first hand the exceptional work they do in Clearwater, the service cost is very reasonable.

I hope you can get the watch you want but don’t let AC3 cloud your judgement.

[elfutboler]

I've had the black dial 15500 since early April and absolutely thrilled with it. I may attempt to swap for a blue dial when it's eventually sent for service but would highly recommend jumping on any of the versions you can get.

[holdtime]

Originally Posted by miamiman

hi guys , I am really interested in buying my first AP 15500st ,the only problem is that ive been looking at review videos on youtube and today I saw that archie luxury was telling everyone to stay away from the AP watches because of the extremely expensive service costs and that basically the watch is very problematic , can you guys advise if it is a problematic watch or is it a watch that would last me years of trouble free use.

Personally, I Do not like the Fat F***r

[AshAP]

I’d be even more worried if you stated that you were buying an AP based on a positive review by that moron. The 15500 is stunning.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WWC]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

Hello, which dial did you get in the end? I was part of your earlier thread and I do not recall if you disclose the dial color between grey and black. How do you like it?

Apologies for getting back this late! Just caught this message as I was reading some old threads. Between both dials, I went black as it was the safe bet and I'm loving it so much! My Patek is on the safe and I'm still on my honeymoon period.

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by WWC

Apologies for getting back this late! Just caught this message as I was reading some old threads. Between both dials, I went black as it was the safe bet and I'm loving it so much! My Patek is on the safe and I'm still on my honeymoon period.

thanks and pls feel free to share the info as part of the previous thread. Glad to you're enjoying the black 15500.

[masterserg]

Take Archie as comedy. Fun to listen to every now and then but certainly do not base any purchase decision on his opinion.

[GoingPlaces]

Archie is a great entertainer, but not one to take seriously for watch buying advise. I'm sure you will be fine with the newer movement. AP is a great watch.

[LvingInaShed]

i love it!