Newbie advice

[Rodsky]

Hi - I am thinking of a new time piece. Definitely not an expert. Budget in the $35 - $40K range. I am thinking of a Daytona or an AP Royal Oak (think 15500ST or 15450ST). I have a 6.75 inch wrist. First of all thoughts on AP vs Daytona (in my budget range). Second - will a 15450 be too small. Certainly less pricey. I am probably thinking grey market as I don't have patience to wait a year (this is a big birthday / thing) and i don't have any AP relationships (have a very old vintage one) and my Rolex history is not strong enough to just walk in and get one stat.

My heart says AP RO and i like all the dial colors (may not be willing to pay the blue premium) but lean towards silver or gray. Thanks in advance for any thoughts / suggestions..

[pricejake]

My advise will be for you to pm Davidsw or takuya i think for a watch of that price those guys will give you a discount and some peace of mind. And please when you get it dont forget to post pics.

[pricejake]

Welcome by the way, I'll stick with a Daytona.

[Rodsky]

Originally Posted by pricejake

Welcome by the way, I'll stick with a Daytona.

Thanks!

[HMHM]

I think you need to try both watches on the wrist first before deciding since you are getting it from the grey and they are gonna cost a pretty penny. AP 15500 has a better finish and the bracelet is second to none. But it wears bigger than the 41mm suggest. The Daytona has a more curvy and smaller than advertised case which would make it fit better for most wrist size but it has no transparent case back. The most important part would be the price: unless you are going for the ‘elusive’ blue dial, the premium for the black, grey and white 15500ST is less in terms of percentage MSRP as compared to the Daytona. So if one day the market does turn sour, you will feel less pain. The Daytona is ridiculously priced in the grey market, especially the white dial but does have more security for future prices.

[ts3]

The 15500 will likely look (awfully) big on your wrists. The 15450 will be a little small but better in my expectation. Best should be anything 39mm such as 15300. Fellow member Token74 has posted tons of wrist shots of his 15450s and 15300 on here and I believe also of a Daytona for comparison. Look for those if he doesn't chip in. In any event I'd make the effort and go try them on before pulling the trigger.

[Tanuki]

Have you considered the 26331? It is much more comparable to the Daytona.

[cascavel]

ts3, above, has nailed it. The 15500 is too big, the 15450 is borderline for 6 3/4 wrist, 15300 is perfect but a pain to source and will need a service, at this point.
Get the Daytona. 116500 black dial or a 16520 black dial will fit your budget and your wrist.

[Sleepy996]

On a 6.5" wrist the 15450 is definitely the way to go and gets my vote. AP's wear much larger imo.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Tanuki

Have you considered the 26331? It is much more comparable to the Daytona.

26331 is 41mm but 26315 is 38mm, so 26315 would be more comparable to Daytona.

[Rodsky]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

26331 is 41mm but 26315 is 38mm, so 26315 would be more comparable to Daytona.

Thanks - The 263315 looks like it would be a good fit - I think it should be a candidate too.

[Benzsiam]

I saw one Pre-owned of 15400ST for sale in WatchRecon website. He is asking only $21K which is way below the secondary market price. I don't know it is authentic or not but he shows the AP warranty card also.

[gretch6364]

Just bite the bullet and go blue dial 15202 ;-)

At the wrist size, I agree with the other posters about a smaller AP or the Daytona. Personally, I don’t think the Daytona is worth the current asking prices on grey, but it would be a great piece for your wrist size.

Saturday we had a birthday party for my 6 yo and was sitting on the back porch after everyone was gone and kids were in bed. I have that seiko from my other thread on a RO style bracelet and case, so it is nothing even close to the real deal but it still looks absolutely killer in low light (candle light). I can’t imagine the Daytona looking as good in the same situation. The design of the bezel/bracelet and brushing is just…well amazing. There is nothing else like it. Maybe a cushion cut diamond. Best SS watch, period.

[troways]

Daytona and RoyalOak is completely in different league.

[Rodsky]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I saw one Pre-owned of 15400ST for sale in WatchRecon website. He is asking only $21K which is way below the secondary market price. I don't know it is authentic or not but he shows the AP warranty card also.

almost seems too good to be true

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by Rodsky

almost seems too good to be true

I emailed him to see where he is located and if he would send me more pictures and do a third party exchange. I will buy this if it is real and he is willing to go third party.

I know the timepiece gentlemen says they do this type of thing...is there anyone else that would do a verification/wire hold that is trustworthy?

[gretch6364]

http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php...id=46870&rid=0

That is the guys profile. He has listed several 15400 in this price range. Anyone here ever deal with him? Sorry to hijack this thread!

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php...id=46870&rid=0

That is the guys profile. He has listed several 15400 in this price range. Anyone here ever deal with him? Sorry to hijack this thread!

Wow, he sure has a long list of track record for his sale.

His price seems too good to be true.

Whoever purchase this piece, please let us know, if he is legit seller, I would love to buy something in the future with him too.

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

Wow, he sure has a long list of track record for his sale.

His price seems too good to be true.

Whoever purchase this piece, please let us know, if he is legit seller, I would love to buy something in the future with him too.

I am moving this over to my other thread. I don't want to hijack this one. I did reach out and will update the collective. I am sure it is too good to be true or someone already bought it (probably to flip it).

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=812962

[HMHM]

Honestly, if the price was too good to be true, I would avoid it. The guy who bought the Daytona from HorologyHouse thought the price was too good to be true as well and bought it. The rest is history…..

[Jsol]

Low price like that is always a red flag. I fell for that early in my collecting time and got scammed. I’m weary AF now!


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[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by Jsol

Low price like that is always a red flag. I fell for that early in my collecting time and got scammed. I’m weary AF now!


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Yeah...I have been emailing with him a bit. He gave me his cell number and stuff, but still has not confirmed he would work with a third party and has not sent me the detail pictures I requested. Only way I will do it is if he sends the watch to a third party for verification, etc. and the pictures look perfect.

I would probably rather have a 500 anyhow with the longer reserve and bigger movement.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Yeah...I have been emailing with him a bit. He gave me his cell number and stuff, but still has not confirmed he would work with a third party and has not sent me the detail pictures I requested. Only way I will do it is if he sends the watch to a third party for verification, etc. and the pictures look perfect.

I would probably rather have a 500 anyhow with the longer reserve and bigger movement.

I also think 15500 is better but at that price ($21K) if it's authentic, it's one of the secondary market best deal.

[Jgives]

Suspicious that he doesn’t add a photo of the movement through the case back..

[Token74]

I have a Daytona and a few Royal Oaks. Daytona is brilliant, but AP is a different level.

The 41mm will wear big on your wrist. Whether it’s too big is really down to personal taste. The 15450 wears similar to a Daytona.


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[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by Jgives

Suspicious that he doesn’t add a photo of the movement through the case back..

This was part of my request this morning.

[Rodsky]

Originally Posted by Token74

I have a Daytona and a few Royal Oaks. Daytona is brilliant, but AP is a different level.

The 41mm will wear big on your wrist. Whether it’s too big is really down to personal taste. The 15450 wears similar to a Daytona.


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Thanks - very helpful..

[AshAP]

It’s so much down to wrist size as to which will look best. The question is if you buy a Daytona will you still really want a Royal Oak? My personal feeling is that if you buy a Royal Oak it would be a very long time before you’d want a Daytona.


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[7sins]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Just bite the bullet and go blue dial 15202 ;-)

At the wrist size, I agree with the other posters about a smaller AP or the Daytona. Personally, I don’t think the Daytona is worth the current asking prices on grey, but it would be a great piece for your wrist size.

Saturday we had a birthday party for my 6 yo and was sitting on the back porch after everyone was gone and kids were in bed. I have that seiko from my other thread on a RO style bracelet and case, so it is nothing even close to the real deal but it still looks absolutely killer in low light (candle light). I can’t imagine the Daytona looking as good in the same situation. The design of the bezel/bracelet and brushing is just…well amazing. There is nothing else like it. Maybe a cushion cut diamond. Best SS watch, period.

I agree here, 15202 is perfect, especially for your wrist size.

I have the same exact wrists and remember what wears large for others isn't always the same for you and you have to decide how large of a watch you feel comfortable with. Personally I thought the 15450 was WAY too small, yes the lugs and case are bigger but the dial is too small. The 15500 wears too big because the dial is empty and optically makes the bezel look too thin. If the 15202 isn't an option then I would suggest a 15400 or 26320. You can see the latter next to my Daytona, the AP wears MUCH larger due to the larger lugs.

Hope the below helps, all on my 6.75" wrist! I'm local to you in LA if you want to try on my Daytona and or 15202.


15202

15400

15500

[Rodsky]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Just bite the bullet and go blue dial 15202 ;-)

At the wrist size, I agree with the other posters about a smaller AP or the Daytona. Personally, I don’t think the Daytona is worth the current asking prices on grey, but it would be a great piece for your wrist size.

Saturday we had a birthday party for my 6 yo and was sitting on the back porch after everyone was gone and kids were in bed. I have that seiko from my other thread on a RO style bracelet and case, so it is nothing even close to the real deal but it still looks absolutely killer in low light (candle light). I can’t imagine the Daytona looking as good in the same situation. The design of the bezel/bracelet and brushing is just…well amazing. There is nothing else like it. Maybe a cushion cut diamond. Best SS watch, period.

If money was not a factor - yes on the 15202 :). But just bought a new vacation home and about to do remodeling on primary one - so prudence is wise right now.

I do have a GS SBGA413 (one of the seasons - Spring IIRC) and I do love it.