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Old 28 March 2012, 01:22 AM   #1
Luv2watches
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Durability of AP Carbon

Happy Tuesday! I've been contemplating future acquisitions and been wondering about the durability of the carbon cases and bezels on AP. Do they scratch? If so, do they shows the scratches easily? What about nicks and dents? How does carbon compare to the SS or Gold that AP uses? How about carbon compared to ceramic? Can anyone post a picture of a well worn full carbon AP?

David
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Old 28 March 2012, 01:54 AM   #2
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I can give you a little insight, based on experiences with my BumbleBee and then a GP that I almost pulled the trigger on.

- BB forged carbon case could scratch, but due to its overall lack of weight, would probably shrug of most contacts. I wasn't worried about it, as AP really seemed to nail the quality of production over the last year for sure.

- BB ceramic bezel is one of the most durable on pretty much any AP I would say. Its edges were sharp enough to graze other items it contacted, without damage. In a different league to steel, rubber and gold, which are a little to easy to mark (for me anyhow).

- Regarding FC as a bezel material, the GP had some very fine detailing, which on some used models had started to deteriorate. Some quality issues on early models I believe, but again, later examples were better.

I think thats pretty fair!
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Old 28 March 2012, 05:35 AM   #3
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I've had this all forged carbon Alinghi Tean since it's release

Looks the same as the day I got it but I admit I only wear it a couple times a month. It's super light. Had it probably 4 + years.
I do have a friend who had the same watch and put a pretty good ding on the edge of the bezel and was gonna be very pricey to fix / replace as you can not polish FG as you can with gold or ss.
Overall I think it does not scratch or ding nearly as easy as ss or gold but FG can not be polished like a ss or gold piece.
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Old 28 March 2012, 05:46 AM   #4
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Give me a black ceramic (or carbon) bezel on the ROO Diver and I'd be in heaven! :-)
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Old 28 March 2012, 06:15 AM   #5
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Give me a black ceramic (or carbon) bezel on the ROO Diver and I'd be in heaven! :-)
Like this one
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Old 28 March 2012, 06:16 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by xbox View Post
I can give you a little insight, based on experiences with my BumbleBee and then a GP that I almost pulled the trigger on.

- BB forged carbon case could scratch, but due to its overall lack of weight, would probably shrug of most contacts. I wasn't worried about it, as AP really seemed to nail the quality of production over the last year for sure.

- BB ceramic bezel is one of the most durable on pretty much any AP I would say. Its edges were sharp enough to graze other items it contacted, without damage. In a different league to steel, rubber and gold, which are a little to easy to mark (for me anyhow).

- Regarding FC as a bezel material, the GP had some very fine detailing, which on some used models had started to deteriorate. Some quality issues on early models I believe, but again, later examples were better.

I think thats pretty fair!
Spot on
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Old 28 March 2012, 06:37 AM   #7
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Like this one
I just want the bezel, I don't need the $33,000 price tag! :-)
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Old 28 March 2012, 06:41 AM   #8
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I just want the bezel, I don't need the $33,000 price tag! :-)
And all i want is the black inner scale from the Steel one
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Old 28 March 2012, 07:06 AM   #9
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And all i want is the black inner scale from the Steel one
So we should buy and and chop it/sell it for parts? :-)
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Old 28 March 2012, 07:07 AM   #10
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So we should buy and and chop it/sell it for parts? :-)
Sound like a plan
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Old 28 March 2012, 07:26 AM   #11
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Me like this one! All look good though guys!
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Old 28 March 2012, 08:39 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by xbox View Post
I can give you a little insight, based on experiences with my BumbleBee and then a GP that I almost pulled the trigger on.

- BB forged carbon case could scratch, but due to its overall lack of weight, would probably shrug of most contacts. I wasn't worried about it, as AP really seemed to nail the quality of production over the last year for sure.

- BB ceramic bezel is one of the most durable on pretty much any AP I would say. Its edges were sharp enough to graze other items it contacted, without damage. In a different league to steel, rubber and gold, which are a little to easy to mark (for me anyhow).

- Regarding FC as a bezel material, the GP had some very fine detailing, which on some used models had started to deteriorate. Some quality issues on early models I believe, but again, later examples were better.

I think thats pretty fair!
X2 spot on. I have seen plenty of GPs with chipped bezels and have chipped one myself as well. My advise go for a carbon watch with a ceramic bezel i.e bumblebee or carbon 44mm. I wore a bee for six months solid and it looked the same as the day I purchased it, if anything the yellow stitching faded a bit but the watch was the same.
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Old 28 March 2012, 11:00 AM   #13
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Me like this one! All look good though guys!
Very nice Ken. I have a feeling when I pull the trigger on my ROO Chrono its going to open up the FLOOD GATES... I'm loving these carbon models (esp the BB) and I think that might be my 2nd. I'm going to look at AP's again on Friday. I'll get more wrist shots this time and upload them all for some input from everyone. I'm not buying a new boat so I have the excuse to pick up a few AP's in the next year or two!!!!! I was excited when I got each of my Rolex's but I wasn't this excited. (OMG I sound like Tebow.....) Im excited.

Are you making it without the RB2???
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Old 29 March 2012, 01:26 AM   #14
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Thanks for all the replies. It was a good education.
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Old 29 March 2012, 01:48 AM   #15
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Very nice Ken. I have a feeling when I pull the trigger on my ROO Chrono its going to open up the FLOOD GATES... I'm loving these carbon models (esp the BB) and I think that might be my 2nd. I'm going to look at AP's again on Friday. I'll get more wrist shots this time and upload them all for some input from everyone. I'm not buying a new boat so I have the excuse to pick up a few AP's in the next year or two!!!!! I was excited when I got each of my Rolex's but I wasn't this excited. (OMG I sound like Tebow.....) Im excited.

Are you making it without the RB2???
Thanks Gunter! I am making but am excited to get it back like Tim Tebow!
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Old 29 March 2012, 05:41 AM   #16
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Thanks Gunter! I am making but am excited to get it back like Tim Tebow!
He said it 44 times
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Old 29 March 2012, 06:02 AM   #17
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He said it 44 times
A new record!
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Old 29 March 2012, 09:44 AM   #18
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A new record!
I might break that record in a few months....
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Old 29 March 2012, 09:46 AM   #19
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I might break that record in a few months....
I would be excited to see it!
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