Just announced, AP Royal Oak Chrono 26331 is being discontinued

[jag32]

Just talked to a boutique trying to get a 26331 ROC and was told the boutiques we're informed yesterday by AP corporate that the current ROC is being discontinued effective 31 December 2019 and no word yet on a replacement new reference for next year. I imagine we will see a new ROC with similar design as the 15500 that will drop the word Automatic on the dial.

I don't like how automatic was removed from the 15500 dial, but it would be a welcome change on the already busy 26331 ROC dial.

[rallyx]

AP must have used up their FP chrono movement inventory. I suppose this means AP is replacing the ROC with the new in-house chrono movement found in the code 11.59 and give it a new reference? So essentially it is still a ROC but a true in-house ROC.

[othertbone]

Originally Posted by jag32

Just talked to a boutique trying to get a 26331 ROC and was told the boutiques we're informed yesterday by AP corporate that the current ROC is being discontinued effective 31 December 2019 and no word yet on a replacement new reference for next year. I imagine we will see a new ROC with similar design as the 15500 that will drop the word Automatic on the dial.

I don't like how automatic was removed from the 15500 dial, but it would be a welcome change on the already busy 26331 ROC dial.

Good news!

Why does the watch need to say automatic?

[psv]

I just hope they don't make it any bigger. They are definitely going with an in-house movement option.

[GoingPlaces]

In house movement is a good move.

[thekman]

Does anyone know when AP will be releasing next year's models since they are not participating in SIHH anymore?

[WWC]

if this were to be true, I'd be super excited! I had the choice between the blue dial chrono this year and the black/gray dials for the 15500. Glad I chose the latter as now I can look forward to a display caseback along with an in-house chrono movement.

[SSCosmo]

If they use the 4401 in a new version of the ROC, it will have to be thicker. The 4401 is about 1.3mm thicker than the 2385 movement. Add a display caseback and I'm guessing the case would be somewhere between 12.5-13mm in thickness. This would be unfortunate as one of the things I like about the current ROC is that it is relatively thin at 11mm.

[kevblah]

The current 26331 has only been out two years, doesn’t it seem a little early for a complete discontinuation and replacement?

My guess is that they’re retaining the current movement but making some dial changes, maybe thicker hour markers like on the 15500 and completely different dial color combinations and re-releasing at a higher price point around 26-27k. The current new 38mm is 23,800, only 500 less than the 24,300 price of the 41mm. Surely a price increase was coming, maybe this is their way of doing it.

[Reign]

This is a bit nuts - the current version has only been out for 2 years...

Also their new flyback won’t fit in the existing ROC case so something has to give.

Curious to see what they release but not great for buyers in the past two years


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[duc888]

That would be good news and I hope the inhose movement will place the date window centered

[golfski]

I was in a boutique today and was told that they were informed the Diver (which I was wearing) would no longer be delivered in its current form, though they stopped short of saying it was discontinued. I was actually looking at the PM Chrono and there was no mention of that reference going away.

[jumpmandk]

Interesting, news that I think several were waiting for!

[steeevvvooo]

Originally Posted by Reign

... not great for buyers in the past two years

Because discontinued SS Rolex have fared so poorly you mean? 116710LN and BLNR popped 20-30% higher overnight when discontinued.

Lots of people recently seemed to be posting about trying to get the 26331 at list in recent months. It was possible with a little patience but not so if the watch is now discontinued.

I have a ROC though so I have a vested interest

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[ChipWong]

Hows the realiability and accuracy on the new chrono movement?

[Reign]

Originally Posted by steeevvvooo

Because discontinued SS Rolex have fared so poorly you mean? 116710LN and BLNR popped 20-30% higher overnight when discontinued.

Lots of people recently seemed to be posting about trying to get the 26331 at list in recent months. It was possible with a little patience but not so if the watch is now discontinued.

I have a ROC though so I have a vested interest

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I have the same one you have and bought it roughly a year ago. While I’ve never sold anything, it does feel nice if things maintain value or appreciate.

Sadly, I don’t think ROC prices will hold (probably a reactionary pop) given the non in-house movement. Let’s see though!

[steeevvvooo]

Originally Posted by Reign

I have the same one you have and bought it roughly a year ago. While I’ve never sold anything, it does feel nice if things maintain value or appreciate.

Sadly, I don’t think ROC prices will hold (probably a reactionary pop) given the non in-house movement. Let’s see though!

It will be interesting to see for sure. Comments above about thickness of the code chrono has got me thinking. If the new watch (if the current model is indeed discontinued) is thicker that may work against it.

UK RRP prices were hiked 10% a few weeks ago. A new in house will surely be more expensive if the Vacheron Overseas is anything to go by. Any replacement for the ROC could be marketed in a different league to the 26331 in that case.



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[Ar_Mi]

Deff going to result in increased thickness of the case, which is 11mm right now.. if it gets to 13 or so, that's not too far from the offshore. That would be weird honestly.

As for value retention or increase of the 26331 which has only been produced since 2017.. well we will have to see. the 15400 held its value very well when the 15500 hit the market. But then again that had a sublime in-house movement. the 1185 FP, although a great movement, has been used in the ROC for years, and thousands upon thousands have been produced in one form or another. Lets see, maybe the shortly lived but very much loved 26331 will be the exception.

[chmk]

getting a new 26331st blue dial in 1 week's time, which seems to trade at a slight premium on the secondary market.

non in house movement is a shame but the fp1185 is a truly legendary and thin calibre - looking forward to receiving it!. its possible discontinuation just makes it all the more special, will post pics when i receive it!

[SMD]

Originally Posted by SSCosmo

If they use the 4401 in a new version of the ROC, it will have to be thicker. The 4401 is about 1.3mm thicker than the 2385 movement. Add a display caseback and I'm guessing the case would be somewhere between 12.5-13mm in thickness. This would be unfortunate as one of the things I like about the current ROC is that it is relatively thin at 11mm.

This. The 4401 is too thick. A Roc with that and display back will but not far off the ROOs.

[fullofboats]

Has anyone confirmed OP's information? Might want to double-check before we start treating this as fact

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by Reign

I have the same one you have and bought it roughly a year ago. While I’ve never sold anything, it does feel nice if things maintain value or appreciate.

Sadly, I don’t think ROC prices will hold (probably a reactionary pop) given the non in-house movement. Let’s see though!

You never know, look at Zenith Daytona's.

[steeevvvooo]

Originally Posted by fullofboats

Has anyone confirmed OP's information? Might want to double-check before we start treating this as fact

Fact checking?! Where is the fun in that?!?!

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[Collector2019]

that means they will most likely fix the miss placed date window ! great news!

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Collector2019

that means they will most likely fix the miss placed date window ! great news!

Unlikely as the 430 date continues on the code line

Unless you mean the off center 430 date. I think both are mistakes.

[CoveWatch]

Oh now that would be interesting... recently been really considering a 26331BA but if they're coming out with a new ref, I may just wait to see before committing. But if it were 41mm and 13mm thick and gold.. probably wouldn't work for me

[Collector2019]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Unlikely as the 430 date continues on the code line

Unless you mean the off center 430 date. I think both are mistakes.

yes meant it is not centered between 4 & 5. As far as I am aware they managed to fix that on the 15500 with the new movement so the window date got shifted further to the right edge, that was not possible with the older movement on 15400 etc. it could be similar case with the 26331?

[blacke90]

Originally Posted by CoveWatch

Oh now that would be interesting... recently been really considering a 26331BA but if they're coming out with a new ref, I may just wait to see before committing. But if it were 41mm and 13mm thick and gold.. probably wouldn't work for me

Agree. I suspect if they put in an in-house movement either from Code or non Code, it’ll be tough to achieve the same thinnest of the FP 1185. I’m all in with the new in-house if it has the same or thinner thickness!

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by blacke90

Agree. I suspect if they put in an in-house movement either from Code or non Code, it’ll be tough to achieve the same thinnest of the FP 1185. I’m all in with the new in-house if it has the same or thinner thickness!

Definitely I actually prefer a slightly smaller size for a gold piece so the 39mm BA is actually perfect, but I just love that dial of the 41 BA chrono! It's soooo nice! And while a lot of Rolex sports are 13mm thick or around there, I think it would be too thick on a full gold piece.. for me anyway.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by blacke90

Agree. I suspect if they put in an in-house movement either from Code or non Code, it’ll be tough to achieve the same thinnest of the FP 1185. I’m all in with the new in-house if it has the same or thinner thickness!

Doubtful. There is a reason the 1185 is legendary at this price point.