Reasons NOT to buy an AP Royal Oak?

[Beauxx]

I know all the good things, but what are some of the downsides of owning a royal oak.. specifically the 15400 or 15450st.. Thanks....

[japenney]

Only 50m water resist. Prices have gone up about 30% in the last 6 months so it's not really a great time to buy unless your getting a decent price at an AD.

[imperio]

It is expensive?

[sechsgang]

How scary obvious scratches can seem on the bezel just given the design...so If you're not careful I'd think twice about one. Same problem with any Genta design really though (e.g. nautilus)

[GB-man]

I can tell you they are far outweighed by the upsides


I’d say most of obvious stuff is covered above.

[AK797]

Above reasons are not deal breakers, but the very changeable price market means you should be extra sure you want the watch these days. Same for all the in play watches.

[tyler1980]

Because you will then need to buy more and more. Thats the only potential downside.

Once you go down the AP or PP road, it sucks you in. There are worse money pits though, just don't buy a boat.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by sechsgang

How scary obvious scratches can seem on the bezel just given the design...so If you're not careful I'd think twice about one. Same problem with any Genta design really though (e.g. nautilus)

just got to be careful to avoid scratches, but its worth it.

Ceramic bezels are more durable obviously but they are also like condoms. They are preferred in sketchy situations, but otherwise, without is the way to go.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

Because you will then need to buy more and more. Thats the only potential downside.

Once you go down the AP or PP road, it sucks you in. There are worse money pits though, just don't buy a boat.

So true. I can testify to that.

[SearChart]

Ehm... No reasons...

The finishing is dreamlike

[1William]

They are cool watches but the price is somewhat inflated but so are certain models of Rolex and PP. I would get the best deal I could and understand that I might be in a price bubble that when it bursts may leave me with a value deficit. None of that matter if you love the watch and keep it. Good luck.

[Ziperian]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

just got to be careful to avoid scratches, but its worth it.

Ceramic bezels are more durable obviously but they are also like condoms. They are preferred in sketchy situations, but otherwise, without is the way to go.

That is some funny stuff.

[mineral]

The AP servicing can be quite costly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jed11]

None.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rossi46]

Reasons not to:

- if you're the OCD type when it comes to keeping your watches in as close to "brand new" condition as possible
- retail pricing (and now grey market pricing, too) is pretty damn high for a stainless steel watch
- the 15400 is too large a case for the 3120 movement/proportions are a little off compared to the original, sublime Genta design
- the 15450 will lose value, as it's the midsize version (a little large for most women, a little too small for most guys)

Don't let this dissuade you, though! I had a 15300 version and absolutely adored it. The Royal Oak is truly one of the all time great watches.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by japenney

Only 50m water resist. Prices have gone up about 30% in the last 6 months so it's not really a great time to buy unless your getting a decent price at an AD.

Let me scratch one of those reasons. My 15400 pressure tested perfectly for 10 atm (100m) earlier this year. AP is very modest with their water resistance...

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Let me scratch one of those reasons. My 15400 pressure tested perfectly for 10 atm (100m) earlier this year. AP is very modest with their water resistance...

they probably don't want you in the water with it. If they encouraged it with a generous WR the "i scratched my royal oak while using it as a Dive watch" complaints would skyrocket.

[Peterandwatches]

If you've gotten to this point, nobody going to talk you out of it. Love my 15400.

[Jp28]

Scratches, scratches and scratches.

[improviz]

They don't scratch any worse than other SS watches...my SS Daytona's bezel has TONS more noticeable scratches than either of my APs, doesn't make it any less gorgeous to wear, as in my observation most people aren't coming up to me with loupes to go over my timepieces.

[chad362wiley]

15400 is large, fits my wrist fine but is definitely a big watch. No micro adjustments. Half link seems to be necessary. Some people think the design is dated.

My silver dial 15400 is probably my favorite watch. get it. The bracelet reflection and satin finish on the casing is sublime. I paid more than I should due to market condition, but I dont even feel bad, its worth the price :)

[Jay (Eire)]

By comparison to a Sub or Nautilus I found the ROC (in my case) was a scratch magnet, even with careful and fairly limited wrist time. That said, it didn't really bother me much. Watches should be worn.

If I was to go again I'd stick as close to the original as possible, so 15202. Have you tried that?

[Chute]

I love my 15400 black. Although the sliver dial is beautiful, the watch wears a tad large on me but the black dial makes it appear smaller so it’s perfect.

The one thing I did not pay attention to before buying it is the AP’s 3 Hz beat of the second hand versus the 4Hz on a Rolex. My Seiko SARX035 beats at 3Hz and it was a little annoying to have them both beat slower than my Rolex.

I do appreciate the beauty of the AP movement and I am in no way a gear head when it comes to watches but seeing the second hand tick 6 times per second is a little weak for a watch this expensive.

[bluebeamer]

i think the 15400's proportions and designs are not very balanced.
the 15300 looks better.

a good reason not to buy a 15400 would be you can buy an offshore instead or a 15202. those look much better

[kneedeep]

RO IS the original Genta design. NO reasons not to own 15202 or 15300 at 39mm.

[Hank]

I am very OCD when it comes to scratches. I recently flipped my RO 15400 towards an AP Diver Ceramic for this reason. I also couldn't get a good fit. It was either too loose or too tight.

[T3F]

It might make cheaper watches in your collection feel inferior in comparison, and everyone on TRF will tell you that you should have gone with the 15202 or 15300 instead (FWIW, I like my 15400 better, although I'd like to add a 15202 at some point, as well).

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by T3F

It might make cheaper watches in your collection feel inferior in comparison, and everyone on TRF will tell you that you should have gone with the 15202 or 15300 instead (FWIW, I like my 15400 better, although I'd like to add a 15202 at some point, as well).

i agree.

I love my 15400, and having one makes adding a 15202 later not redundant. Having a 15300 and a 15202 might be a little too similar.

Silver 15400 + 15202 would be a great pair

[ajas]

Scratch magnet and AP is one trick pony

Sent from my SM-N935F using Tapatalk

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by ajas

Scratch magnet and AP is one trick pony

Sent from my SM-N935F using Tapatalk

pretty sure Rolex has played out the oyster case too... Sub, YM, GMT, sea dweller, are the same watch essentially although almost all the rest are the same too. Slap on a fluted bezel and wow its a DJ or DD. Thats 90% of sales... same watch. Worse yet, they almost all have the same complications.... time and date. Just saying.

Im sorry, but you cant honestly say one trick pony like its a bad thing, and then have a Panerai. I love PAM, but they are far more all the same than AP. Or am I crazy?