Good things come to those who wait - AP ROC 38mm incoming

[RollieKid]

Hi All,

Just wanted to share my journey in acquiring this piece. I didn’t think it would happen especially during current times. But I am very grateful to be able to add it to my rotation

Backstory:
I have been wanting to add a Royal Oak (specifically the 15450st) to my collection for about 4 years now, but had no luck with the local AP ADs, despite asking to be put on their waiting list. I’m not a big spender with them but thought the 37mm RO wouldn’t be so hard to obtain new – how wrong was I

Well, fast forward to 2019 and I fell for the 38mm AP ROC when it was released. I have always wanted to add a chrono to my collection and the sizing would be manageable on my 6 inch wrist (yes, I have child size wrist :P). The only problem was, it’s a boutique edition and we have no AP boutiques in Oz. Closest one is in Singapore or HK for me and given I don’t have any spend history with these boutiques, didn’t bother contacting them to be put on a “list”.

By this point, I gave up hope of acquiring the 38mm ROC and started looking to local grey dealers to see if I could pick up a lightly used 15450. There was a decently priced 2017 white dial one available around late November last year but, I passed on it as I was uncomfortable with the fact it was serviced 2 years into its “birth”.

Present day:
I was still on the look-out for the 15450 but nothing was showing up at the local grey dealers and by now we were all in lockdown due to the pandemic. Then Hodinkee recently announced there was a 34mm white dial, steel RO available. I have a 34mm Rolex Date and thought this size would fit me pretty well. So I immediately contacted the local AP ADs to see if they would get one in later in the year. Out of the 2, only one replied back and suggested I be added to the interest list - so back to square one again.

Then it happened!! Two weeks ago my local grey dealer had a brand new, unworn 2020 38mm AP ROC with box and papers at a decent price. Back then we were not allow to go outside for non-essential services and I wasn’t willing to buy unseen in person. So I anxiously waited, checking every day, thinking that someone would nab this before me. Then last week the restrictions were eased and I quickly called up the dealer and checked it out in person.

It was love at first wear . I traded in my TT Datejust and 39mm black dial Explorer 2 plus some cash to acquire it, I felt I got a good deal out of it. Just can’t stop grinning as I’m wearing this piece.

Thanks for reading - here are some gratuitous albeit slightly fuzzy pics

[Kilometerman]

Looks great! Congrats.

[Benzsiam]

Congratulations on your journey, it looks great on your wrist, enjoy in good health.

[macrowatch]

Looks great!

[ap1]

Awesome watch, enjoy

[sgwatchguy]

Congrats and looks great on your wrist! Enjoy the watch and that amazing bracelet, it’s really something else.

Welcome to the club

[Raemondo]

Nice watch but even better story! Oftentimes the story is what makes the acquisition meaningful.

[brandrea]

Congratulations, beauty

[rtanjaya]

Congrats! Beautiful addition to your collection

[chiscott_29]

Congratulations. I always love to hear these success stories. It's a beautiful watch and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Wear it in the best of health!

[theflywrist]

Congrats! Suits you very well!

[Fishrus]

Congrats! Once you go AP its hard to go back to anything else.

[watchucallit]

Congratulations !!!

[cmcm3]

Looks great

[Skyrider01]

Congratulations! It looks great on you.

[tcheeco]

Congrats and welcome to the club

[MrBlahBlah]

Congrats! But I think we need some better pics ;)

[RollieKid]

Thank you all for the kind words, very happy to be part of the AP club

Had another go at taking some better pics:

[JayHantz]

Congrats! I hope that you get many years of enjoyment out of that one!

[MrBlahBlah]

Originally Posted by RollieKid

Thank you all for the kind words, very happy to be part of the AP club

Had another go at taking some better pics:

Beautiful! Thanks for the updated photos

[Hollie_Rollie]

Congrats! It’s a beautiful watch and you’ll enjoy for many years to come. Thank you for sharing your story! Wear in excellent health

[mbalmz]

congrats! I love the grey dial 26315.

[myporsche]

Looks gooooooood! I imagine 38 is such a lovely fit with most wrists, congrats!

[MF_FM]

great story!!

[jforjohn]

Congratulations! The gray gets my biased vote




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[RollieKid]

Originally Posted by jforjohn

Congratulations! The gray gets my biased vote




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Looks great with your suit I wasn't sure if i can pull it off with my 3 piece but your pic is starting to change my mind

[aw9nineteen]

Beautiful


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[Oneallen]

Love the mono tone. Congrats.

[Superburrito]

Well done - great choice! Congrats