AP vs. Rolex or Rolex vs. AP

[Zdenek]

Hello,
Could someone to compare these two brands, i. e. to compare comparable watches. For example RO and DJ, AP Diver and Sub, ROO and Daytona.
Are these watches comparable from reliability and accuracy point of view?
Thx.
Zdenek

[wisguy]

I own a couple of both as you can see in my signature and in my mind there is no direct comparison between the brands.

Rolex is more tool watches, they can take anything.

AP is more refined and better finished, with a bit more heritage in my view.

It all comes down to what you like and what you're looking for, one or more of each is always a wise choice!

[Kanger]

AP is exponentially better finished. The movement is exponentially more decorated, with many using 22 carat gold rotors. I believe AP is just as reliable, but obviously more expensive.

[dddrees]

Once you get beyond the cost factor, the most important thing really is which watch do you prefer?

Have you conducted any research? Have you tried any on, and compared them for yourself?

Have you found a specific watch you like?

[kctt]

Originally Posted by Zdenek

Hello,
Are these watches comparable from reliability and accuracy point of view?
Thx.
Zdenek

IMHO, if you are only looking at reliability and accuracy and not the decorations on the movement, then I would say Rolex and AP are on par.

Re: accuracy, you would need to compare apples and apples eg. a 28800bph movement in the cal 3135 is going to be more accurate than the 21600 bph in the cal 3120.

[Zdenek]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Once you get beyond the cost factor, the most important thing really is which watch do you prefer?

Have you conducted any research? Have you tried any on, and compared them for yourself?

Have you found a specific watch you like?

Surely I have done a search on several fora including a couple of Asian watch fora. On the basis of the results I have found I asked the above questions to ask about your personal experiences.
It appears that AP watches are more susceptible to faults. I have read about fallen out screws, in one instance even from the Diver. Etc., etc. Even they were some minor imperfections in the function it was annoing at such a high end brand.
I am not condemning the brand such as it is, actually I like the watches very much. I am speechless while observing the mvts with leisure 21600 vibs. I made several visits to the local AP boutique. I tried on RO (both versions) and some ROOs. They are great, especially the Safari is a candy to me and my dream watch.
Nonetheless, in the first place I seek the reliability and accuracy as well as the versatility for my money. At present my criteria fulfils the brand with the “Crown.“ Why only this one? I have got three pieces in the last nine yrs, all they are perfect in the functions to date. I do not intentionally abuse my watches but on the other hand I do not baby them. So they have got some minor scratches and dents during the time. Their chronographs has smooth start without chrono hand jump. They have the priority in my list over other brands. I inspected some other chronos that suffer with the jumping at the start.

Conclusion: I like the production of some manuctures, they make lovely watches. My question is if their quaility is on the same level as (as their price) of the mentioned watchmakers producing repportedly 800k pieces a yr.

[dysondiver]

if it were only down to acuracy and reliability we would all be wearing quartz casios.
go with what pleases you.

[Zdenek]

Originally Posted by kctt

Re: accuracy, you would need to compare apples and apples eg. a 28800bph movement in the cal 3135 is going to be more accurate than the 21600 bph in the cal 3120.

I cannot agree with that statement in general sense. It is well known that old timepieces (as well as the new ones) with low frequency will pass the chronometer specs leisurely. :) :)

Thx for replies.
Zdenek

[Spencer]

Tough to compare based on movements, but all in all my AP's run "truer' to time than my Rolexes.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Zdenek

Are these watches comparable from reliability and accuracy point of view?
Thx.
Zdenek

Yes.

[h999r]

I really dont care about any accuracy , the reason Im buying a paticular brand of watch because the feeling of wearing it. The pride , feeling of wearing my AP is more then my Rolex. thats my opinion.

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Zdenek

Hello,
Could someone to compare these two brands, i. e. to compare comparable watches. For example RO and DJ, AP Diver and Sub, ROO and Daytona.
Are these watches comparable from reliability and accuracy point of view?
Thx.
Zdenek

I know I will get a lot of 'heat' from everyone here on the forum but in my humble opinion you can't compare Audemars Piguet to Rolex. They are two very different brands appealing to very different core consumers. I actually own both Rolex and AP. I love both but hate any comparisons between them.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by Submarino

I know I will get a lot of 'heat' from everyone here on the forum but in my humble opinion you can't compare Audemars Piguet to Rolex. They are two very different brands appealing to very different core consumers. I actually own both Rolex and AP. I love both but hate any comparisons between them.

[Luv rolex]

Originally Posted by Submarino

I know I will get a lot of 'heat' from everyone here on the forum but in my humble opinion you can't compare Audemars Piguet to Rolex. They are two very different brands appealing to very different core consumers. I actually own both Rolex and AP. I love both but hate any comparisons between them.

Would you please clarify why you hate that comparison?

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by kctt

IMHO, if you are only looking at reliability and accuracy and not the decorations on the movement, then I would say Rolex and AP are on par.

Re: accuracy, you would need to compare apples and apples eg. a 28800bph movement in the cal 3135 is going to be more accurate than the 21600 bph in the cal 3120.

Your point is moot, if you were to only list reliability and accuracy as comparitive points then technically a $800 watch housing an ETA 2824 or 6497 is on par with a PP Calatrava.

If somebody really desires that a comparison between Rolex and AP be made, just list 2 similar models and I'll do a write up. (I recently did one between the THC and the PAM 005)

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Luv rolex

Would you please clarify why you hate that comparison?

AP is at a different level. AP is one of the three giants of 'Haute Horlogerie' next to Patek and Vacheron.

[Newrolexbuyer]

Based on resell value which hasn't been discussed, I would go with Rolex. AP doesn't seem to hold its value nearly as well. My friend has the ROO and for me it's nothing special. I was intrigued with AP until i discovered the Patek 5726a and the 5026G those two watches are just spectacular IMO...I guess it's a little off topic, but PP Complications are just amazing :-)

[h999r]

Cant compare between these 2 brands . two different consumer. Its like comparing Mercedes and Ferarri. Both nice but one is nicer :)

[Luv rolex]

Originally Posted by h999r

Cant compare between these 2 brands . two different consumer. Its like comparing Mercedes and Ferarri. Both nice but one is nicer :)

how can you say this different consumers.LOL dont you look at your watches as well as submarino, TSW, and many others. YOU guys are weired the same consumer can have several brands. i also dont believe at categorizing the brands at a specific price point

[h999r]

Exactly right. I have both watches , some people can afford Rolex but not AP. But if you can afford AP then you can afford Rolex. That's what I mean :))

[johnbeth]

Lets say this as a comparison, my Rolex has not lost a second for 3 weeks. Running dead even. Can anyone with an AP let us know if you experience the same result???

On that result I would be making my decision which is better. I prefer an accurate watch then a good looking watch.

Originally Posted by h999r

Exactly right. I have both watches , some people can afford Rolex but not AP. But if you can afford AP then you can afford Rolex. That's what I mean :))

Some people who can afford an AP do prefer a Patek!

[h999r]

Exactly ... Agreed .... but Not for me. Maybe in 10 more years. Richard Mille !!

[Newrolexbuyer]

The PP 5726a is my next watch purchase for sure, And im only 27. All my friends have AP and for me, it's a watch for younger people who want to flash. I definitely think AP is amazing don't get me wrong, it's just for the money and the poor resell value im going with a PP. A friend of mine has a Rose gold ROO his other favorite watch is his 5 time zone Jacob&Co. I was talking about PP with him and he replied he never heard of them, haha so funny! It's all about personal preference, but AP has done a good job marketing their product to the correct demographic...

[h999r]

Originally Posted by Newrolexbuyer

The PP 5726a is my next watch purchase for sure, And im only 27. All my friends have AP and for me, it's a watch for younger people who want to flash. I definitely think AP is amazing don't get me wrong, it's just for the money and the poor resell value im going with a PP. A friend of mine has a Rose gold ROO his other favorite watch is his 5 time zone Jacob&Co. I was talking about PP with him and he replied he never heard of them, haha so funny! It's all about personal preference, but AP has done a good job marketing their product to the correct demographic...

Totally agreed. Some people crazy about this , that and it never ends. But we have to feel fortunate to be able to owning this watches. Those are great watches.

[argee1977]

Have both, can't say i rate one higher than the other in terms of accuracy and reliability. The AP is better finished, especially the movement, but it costs nearly twice as much.

[h999r]

Originally Posted by argee1977

Have both, can't say i rate one higher than the other in terms of accuracy and reliability. The AP is better finished, especially the movement, but it costs nearly twice as much.

Nice collection !! Thanks for sharing the pics.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by argee1977

Have both, can't say i rate one higher than the other in terms of accuracy and reliability. The AP is better finished, especially the movement, but it costs nearly twice as much.

Love the GST

[andrew79]

hm... i am interested to this discussion... i often heard that AP is better brand/watch, etc from rolex, but the issue sometime is the reliability.... as the maintenance is more rigorous than rolex, is that true ?
I assume AP should be as good as or even better than rolex if it is perceived as higher quality brand overall....

[argee1977]

Originally Posted by andrew79

hm... i am interested to this discussion... i often heard that AP is better brand/watch, etc from rolex, but the issue sometime is the reliability.... as the maintenance is more rigorous than rolex, is that true ?
I assume AP should be as good as or even better than rolex if it is perceived as higher quality brand overall....

Is Ferrari more reliable than a Ford, i doubt it, same with watches, it's a case of reliability being pretty much the same across the board.

Quality is a word that's used way too often in terms of trying to separate the top and middle tier watches, quality is about being fit for purpose, not about the cost.

The main difference is that the likes of AP are smaller and more historical than Rolex, they spend a lot of time and effort on the finish, the look and the materials, that's where the differences are, hand finished parts, the use of gold, movements, cases, etc all designed in-house and used on much smaller numbers of watches.

[andrew79]

Thanks Ryan. I will have at least one AP in the future :)