ROC full rose gold new blue dial or ROC Leo Messi rose gold?

[Ar_Mi]

Hi guys. So a while back I decided that my next watch was going to be a rose gold chrono and I love the royal oak. So I narrowed my options to two great watches. I need some help from the RF guys with AP expertise to help me decide.
these are the options:

1. Full rose gold Royal Oak Chrono with the new blue dial.
2. Rose Gold and Tantalum Royal Oak Leo Messi

I love both these watches and obviously my immediate instinct was go with the Messi. Simple because its more rare and special, and its also slightly less pricey.
Other advantages are its not as flashy.. which is like.
However I'm hesitant simply because, in the watch collecting world, and I mean serious watch collectors... is it a plus to have a athlete limited edition watch? I dont know. Do hardcore AP collectors consider this watch as a more serious watch in comparison to the normal rose gold chrono with leather strap?( which is thousands of dollars cheaper)...
Do you guys think it will hold value in comparison to the regular model offerings?

On the other hand, you have to admit that the full rose is true to the original Gerald Genta design, and the full gold bezel and bracelet are closer to the original.. and who doesn't love a full gold watch... such a beauty to look at.

Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks

[Manofsteelpt]

#1 (ROC Blue).

[texex91]

RG ROC...no brainer.

[tyler1980]

generally I'm not a fan of LE's for movies or people that AP has done. That said, the Messi is really a great looking watch. I would still go with the RG ROC though with the blue dial.

[Ar_Mi]

Thanks for the quick reply guys, but do you mind elaborating a little, as to why you would choose Full rose over the Messi? Im really interested to know.
Thanks!

[edo]

RO or ROC without tapisserie dial is like girl without... I will stop here :)

[kingofthehill]

In my humble opinion, whilst both are excellent timepieces and iterations of the Royal Oak Chronograph, I would generally prefer the Royal Oak Chronograph fitted with the manufacture's iconic bracelet and Grande Tapisserie dial.

From a technical standpoint, I also prefer that the new Royal Oak Chronograph does not have screw-down pushers, unlike the Leo Messi variant.

I vote for 1.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by Ar_Mi

Thanks for the quick reply guys, but do you mind elaborating a little, as to why you would choose Full rose over the Messi? Im really interested to know.
Thanks!

Messi doesn't sing to me. It's pretty plain. All watches are subjective, so if it sings to you, that's all that matters

[Ar_Mi]

Originally Posted by kingofthehill

In my humble opinion, whilst both are excellent timepieces and iterations of the Royal Oak Chronograph, I would generally prefer the Royal Oak Chronograph fitted with the manufacture's iconic bracelet and Grande Tapisserie dial.

From a technical standpoint, I also prefer that the new Royal Oak Chronograph does not have screw-down pushers, unlike the Leo Messi variant.

I vote for 1.

Very valid point made with the new pushers that are not screw down!
Whats the point on a chrono that can't start and stop asap..

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by kingofthehill

In my humble opinion, whilst both are excellent timepieces and iterations of the Royal Oak Chronograph, I would generally prefer the Royal Oak Chronograph fitted with the manufacture's iconic bracelet and Grande Tapisserie dial.

From a technical standpoint, I also prefer that the new Royal Oak Chronograph does not have screw-down pushers, unlike the Leo Messi variant.

I vote for 1.

this

the messi is best for people who already have a RO bracelet and a Tapisserie dial in their collection already.

[AK797]

The Messi without taps is a PP wannabe. Just kidding ofc, but its absence is not quite right for me on a RO, and as someone who had and enjoyed a RG ROC on strap I would advise to buy this on a bracelet for sure, just a different more majestic feeling all around.

[Ar_Mi]

Originally Posted by edo

RO or ROC without tapisserie dial is like girl without... I will stop here :)

lol

[HK Islandboy]

The ROC with blue dial is stunning. Among these two, I'd go for it without hesitation

[PJ S]

Mesi, end of.
On the ROC, with the sub-dials, the tapisserie is a bit lost – it works much better as the main dial feature of the standard ROs.
The all gold is a bit much, with nothing breaking up the monotony of the single tone.
You only need to look at the older tantalum/RG and SS models they used to produce, to see something far nicer than an onslaught of gold.
The same thing can be seen in the new Girard Perregaux Laureato in Titanium/RG – utterly stunning.

If the bracelet was an important factor, you could always ask AP for a gold one with tantalum inter-links – which I’m surprised they never did when producing the Mesis.

[P2725TMB]

I have the ROC Blue with leather (now rubber) strap, and is lovely. The full gold bracelet would be even nicer but it seemed a lot of money to me and is too overt. Fitting in with my other watches the Chono is better on less noticeable blue rubber strap. Personally I don't like the Messi much, but it may look better in real life.

As for comparative value retention, I'm not really knowledgeable enough to comment.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by edo

RO or ROC without tapisserie dial is like girl without... I will stop here :)

Full gold watches on matching bracelet is like listening to music comprised of a single note, which won’t sound any better even if David Gilmour himself was playing it!

[Sho-nuff]

If I had to choose I would go for the Messi. As you say, it is more rare and special. Materials and colours aside, the Messi is also truer to the original ROC design (sub-dial size and date placement).

[texasmade]

RG ROC. I prefer to have the bracelet on RO over strap.

[edo]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Full gold watches on matching bracelet is like listening to music comprised of a single note, which won’t sound any better even if David Gilmour himself was playing it!

So, you don't even like 15202OR?

[tng11]

Originally Posted by edo

RO or ROC without tapisserie dial is like girl without... I will stop here :)

100% agree. Add that it doesn't have a bracelet, and...

I personally don't mind these editions where it is a collaboration with an athlete - if I like the design and composition, that's all that matters. I never heard of Jarno Trulli before buying my Jarno Trulli LE, and to this day, I couldn't tell you anything about him, but I still proudly wear the watch because I love the carbon/cermet/Ti combo with a light splash of red.

[7sins]

Make sure to see them in person, I was in LOVE with the RG ROC blue with gold sub dials when the photos were released. Was rather underwhelmed in person, the colors aren't as vibrant and aesthetically pleasing in person - my .02.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Sho-nuff

If I had to choose I would go for the Messi. As you say, it is more rare and special. Materials and colours aside, the Messi is also truer to the original ROC design (sub-dial size and date placement).

only if subdial size and date placement is "more original" than a royal oak bracelet and a tapisserie dial. I would argue that you are splitting hairs and missing the larger design language of the original

[kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by tng11

I personally don't mind these editions where it is a collaboration with an athlete - if I like the design and composition, that's all that matters. I never heard of Jarno Trulli before buying my Jarno Trulli LE, and to this day, I couldn't tell you anything about him, but I still proudly wear the watch because I love the carbon/cermet/Ti combo with a light splash of red.

Such partnerships and collaborations are generally little more than marketing; if we delve too much into that then the whole bubble is liable to pop - marketing ultimately accounts for the bulk of luxury watch manufactures' costs.

[Sho-nuff]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

only if subdial size and date placement is "more original" than a royal oak bracelet and a tapisserie dial. I would argue that you are splitting hairs and missing the larger design language of the original

I do agree with you about the tapisserie dial, and I understand where you're coming from with the bracelet. But for the past 20 years the ROC design brief was deliberately different to the RO when it comes to the bracelet. Until this year AP never paired a precious metal ROC with a bracelet. So the ROC has developed its own long-standing heritage in this respect and a strap is the norm (and original design policy) for precious metal ROCs.

[HL65]

Not a fan of the Messi but love the RG ROC. Nobody does RG like AP and the bracelet is unequaled by any other.

Oh and edo one word for you...Openworked.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by edo

So, you don't even like 15202OR?

It's a gold watch & bracelet, isn't it?

[DR.Golf]

I like my ROC

[Hairdude1]

Rg roc

[2nastie]

Love the RG! Its beautiful. If the Messi came with bracelet I might reconsider.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by DR.Golf

I like my ROC

Wow! Here is your answer.