Would you buy a 15305 today?

[niqui7ladoo]

Hi All,

I’ve been into the 15305ST for years but never pulled the trigger. When I was finally ready, the 15407 double balance had just been unveiled and my AD told me it was worth the wait. I’m still waiting and doubt I’ll get one any time soon - but that isn’t the real point. I’m starting to think I’m a 39mm guy. The only APs I’ve ever loved enough to buy after trying were 15202s. I hate the 14400 on my 6,8 inch wrist. I know it fits - but I don’t like the fit. Perhaps the 15407 will sit differently, unlikely, or just be worth it because of the golden bridge and double balance, but I’m starting to think I should just grab a 15305st. Which has led me to look at their prices - which seem pretty bananas (asking prices ranging from 55-67k). Wanted to get your thoughts on whether this is a dumb time to buy such a piece or it’s likely pretty safe now... I don’t mind waiting, have enough hype pieces. I assume this will be a keeper but who knows, hence why I’d like to avoid losing 30 percent in 1-2 years if I get bored.

The other 39mm opernworked AP option on the short list along with waiting for a 15407 (at retail of around 45k) is the 39mm openworked QP. The openworked QP option is the same or very close price wise, and a whole lot more for the cash but I think I prefer the look of the 15305 and it won’t be a daily wear so a perpetual seems dumb. Am I crazy on this front ?

Anyways, thanks for any thoughts.

The only AP I currently own is a 15202OR.

[benlee]

I have both. To tell you honestly, 15305 fits better on my 6.75" wrist proportion wise. But 15407 is visually more attractive. The 15407 wears exactly the same as the 15400. Case is basically the same 41mm with some minor thickness different.

[niqui7ladoo]

Originally Posted by benlee

I have both. To tell you honestly, 15305 fits better on my 6.75" wrist proportion wise. But 15407 is visually more attractive. The 15407 wears exactly the same as the 15400. Case is basically the same 41mm with some minor thickness different.

Thanks. You pretty much mirror my feelings 100%. The new version is more visually interesting, a bit unsure whether I find the golden bridge a bit glitzy lately. If you had to choose one, which would it be ? And do you think paying current prices on the 305 is nuts ?

[benlee]

Originally Posted by niqui7ladoo

Thanks. You pretty much mirror my feelings 100%. The new version is more visually interesting, a bit unsure whether I find the golden bridge a bit glitzy lately. If you had to choose one, which would it be ? And do you think paying current prices on the 305 is nuts ?

Tough question. I can only answer after I have own the 407 for a while. I have the RG 15305OR actually, which I also bought a RG bracelet to fit onto.

Prices are dictated by market supply and demand. Right now, 407s are super hard to get, with huge waitlist. For anyone without a good relationship with AP, it's near impossible to get one. This has indirectly driven up the secondary market prices of 305s as well which have been trading at premium for a while now. As to worth it or not, it depends on you. If you truly love the watch and plan to keep it long term, it should not really matter.

[niqui7ladoo]

Originally Posted by benlee

Tough question. I can only answer after I have own the 407 for a while. I have the RG 15305OR actually, which I also bought a RG bracelet to fit onto.

Prices are dictated by market supply and demand. Right now, 407s are super hard to get, with huge waitlist. For anyone without a good relationship with AP, it's near impossible to get one. This has indirectly driven up the secondary market prices of 305s as well which have been trading at premium for a while now. As to worth it or not, it depends on you. If you truly love the watch and plan to keep it long term, it should not really matter.

Thanks. That all makes sense. I guess, I’m a bit torn whether the 15407 scarcity has truly affected 15305 pieces as much as we think. Once more 15407s get delivered, I wonder if the 15305 prices will hold as many prefer the 39mm size and it’s pretty limited. I guess this is all conjecture. I just mean a 15300 is now 17k, while 15400s are pretty available....once supply goes back to normal, I’d think we’ll see the 15300 drop less than the 15400s. But who knows. At 35-40k i wouldn’t give the 15305 this much thought, just current pricing is throwing me.

[V25V]

I had a 15400 and found it too big, so think the 407 would suffer the same with me, our wrist sizes are similar. If I were to ever want an open worked, it would be the 305 for sure. But I do find the 407 more attractive, so for me, I do not want either as a result. Now if they made a 39mm variant again which looks like the 407, could be problematic for me.


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[OP15]

OP...if you hate the 15400 on the wrist, I’m afraid the 15407 would be the same. However, you may be staring at the skelotonized dial too much to actually notice.

[niqui7ladoo]

Originally Posted by OP15

OP...if you hate the 15400 on the wrist, I’m afraid the 15407 would be the same. However, you may be staring at the skelotonized dial too much to actually notice.

Yeah, some. people seem to think the 15407 looks so much better that you get over the 2mm. Others are staunch 39mm guys. And then there is the middle that prefers the old size but new look, and so skips the watch entirely. I guess at this price point, I want to make sure I “correctly” like the 305 more than the 407. Just hard to get them side by side.

Any body know how many 305ST were made ?

[Skanse]

15305 with the golden bridge would be perfect.

I wouldn’t buy it at this price though.


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[OP15]

Originally Posted by niqui7ladoo

Yeah, some. people seem to think the 15407 looks so much better that you get over the 2mm. Others are staunch 39mm guys. And then there is the middle that prefers the old size but new look, and so skips the watch entirely. I guess at this price point, I want to make sure I “correctly” like the 305 more than the 407. Just hard to get them side by side.

Any body know how many 305ST were made ?

Very true...to spend that kind of money, you’ll want to make sure it’s the watch for you. Unfortunately, I do not know production numbers. Good luck!

[descartes]

I’d go do the 39mm QP

[Plastique999]

Yes


Sent from my Zeitwerk

[GB-man]

I think buying a 15305 at dealers asking prices is a recipe for disaster. The fact that you’re questioning it now leads me to believe you’ll question it after buying it which will impede your ability to fully enjoy it.

[niqui7ladoo]

I wouldn’t pay the asking price, but it will surely cost me more than the 44k the 15407 retails for and I guess, my point is that at this price point there are tons of other high end pieces ... so just wanted to know if you guys thought it simply daft to spend in this range for an old time only skeleton? Many dealers and watch guys I know think this is a very safe price, likely to hold or increase - and I just wanted to pressure test that (since I’m not so sure).

What it’s “worth” to each of us is subjective and none of us know what it will trade for in the future ... I recognize that - so what I’m really asking for is informed opinions I guess. People seem more than willing to fork over 60k for a 15407, is it nuts for me to fork over similar cash for the 39mm older version ?

I do take your point re if I’m thinking about “is it worth it already” ... It’ll like affect my enjoyment. That probably happened on my first and only RM purchase.

[Mr.WorldTimer]

I was quite late to the AP party. Only started collecting some few years ago. While i cherish my 15407st quite considerably, I would have loved to own a 15305... just not at these current prices.

[alonso 1984]

I personnally love the 15407, my wrist feels its weight and size is OK

[Amiricanmade]

Not sure how close you are to you AD but chances are by the time its your "turn" in line they will no longer be an AD. AP is going boutique only and i don't know many non perpetual/tourb owners who got a double balance (asides from myself :)).

I own both 15305 and 15407 (OR versions). I prefer the dial of the 15407 but fits way too bulky for me. I prefer any 39 AP to a 41 any day.

[appa666]

Personally I have tried both ST and OR on wrist, and I probably have a similar wrist size as OP (15202 fits good, 15400 too bulky).
For wrist presence , OR actually looks better than ST IMHO.
The steel is a bit boring comparing to details of openwork, rose gold will balance it better.
I dont know why OR makes the watch look smaller than ST too.

My suggestion is maybe try on both with gray if possible, wrist presence is key.
You might feel the same as I do which is a 41mm 15407or actually works.