Help Me Decide Which Vintage Royal Oak to Keep!

[edslee327]

Can only have 1... I'm going in between these two. initially set out to find a vintage RO, which turned into searching for a birth year watch, and narrowed the search to these 2 options. have 2 days to decide!

14790ST - Steel, MK1 Blue/Grey Dial, 36mm, turned slightly tropical, birth year watch - 1992. Bought off reputable vintage dealer, bracelet has a lot of stretch, mild polishing. hands, crown, and dial all appear correct.

Pros:
-MK1 Tropical Dial
-Birthyear
-Slightly more horological significance and rarity over the gold?
-Cost is just about 10-11% less than the gold
-might be a better investment piece over the gold, especially with the RO 50th anniversary coming up

Cons:
-bracelet stretch
-the first link attached to the case doesn't stand firm in flaring out like most APs, rather just falls straight down. i'm sure this is common in some of the vintage pieces but it just makes it feel slightly less secure
-the clasp/buckle just makes me feel slightly nervous. when i push down to close, i get some "uneven" resistance and if i'm not careful, it's possible it's not fully secured down

14486BA - Yellow Gold (but more like a brass/bronze, and not as loud as the current yellow gold APs), from approx 1988, grey dial,

Pros:
-it's gold! - would be my first PM watch
-watch could be used as a stepping stone towards acquiring another hard to get piece (would really like the ss black dial daytona at retail...)
-less wear, tighter bracelet, less polishing perhaps
-the feeling i got when i first saw it was slightly more "wow" but could be because it was in a nice showcase, and in person, rather than receiving the steel one in the mail...
-even though it's gold, it doesn't have a typical appeal...

Cons:
-dial's not as pretty, but could be a pro that I get to "make it tropical" on my own :)
-not my birth year and less horological significance than a steel RO
-NOT quickset, so could be kind of annoying if i let the watch sit around for a while without use
-slightly more expensive, it's gold + probably paying the premium because it's sold by a big retailer
-crown is tinier in this mid-sized iteration, not sure if it's a con/pro but it is noticeably different

Pictures below, let me know anything else I should be considering? Any helpful responses are appreciate, thanks!

[fullofboats]

Gold for me

Two most important things with older RO are condition and price in my opinion. A 10% premium for ba vs st is insane value. You also say it’s in better condition than the st. But in the end go with your heart not your brain.


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[edslee327]

Originally Posted by fullofboats

Gold for me

Two most important things with older RO are condition and price in my opinion. A 10% premium for ba vs st is insane value. You also say it’s in better condition than the st. But in the end go with your heart not your brain.


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thanks, it goes against my grain to go with heart over brain haha... i totally agree on the value though if steel is so close to gold... idk which material leads the charge (ie. steel value is so high so gold has to be higher or vise versa)...

[fullofboats]

I get that but from my watch experience going with my brain over my heart has always led to regrets. You’re always going to think back to the piece your heart wanted and probably end up buying it anyway

Gold trades at a much bigger premium than 10% for pretty much every watch with the exception of some specific rare vintage pieces. For me, if the price is similar I’d always pick the gold


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[Benzsiam]

I would pick Gold if the price only 10% difference.

Both of them look pretty good.

I just got TT 14790SA 4 days a go and I love it.

[edslee327]

thanks, i just called AP too about ordering another steel bracelet (if i were to go that route), would be the appropriate steel bracelet with the same clasp to that year and it would cost approx $3.2K, which would address my bracelet stretch concerns. they do let you keep your original bracelet though which is nice compared to rolex...

i'll be trying them both side by side tonight to see where the heart might guide me, maybe get a few more photos for consideration...

[huncho]

gotta go with the gold on this one

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by edslee327

thanks, i just called AP too about ordering another steel bracelet (if i were to go that route), would be the appropriate steel bracelet with the same clasp to that year and it would cost approx $3.2K, which would address my bracelet stretch concerns. they do let you keep your original bracelet though which is nice compared to rolex...

i'll be trying them both side by side tonight to see where the heart might guide me, maybe get a few more photos for consideration...

If you choose steel and pay additional $3200 for new bracelet, the total price will be higher than Gold piece?????

[ts3]

Maybe it is just me but I am wondering if either is the watch you really want. I'd probably take a step back and pass at this point. Between the two I'd pick the gold but I prefer two tone and grey dial over gold and grey dial.

[edslee327]

Originally Posted by ts3

Maybe it is just me but I am wondering if either is the watch you really want. I'd probably take a step back and pass at this point. Between the two I'd pick the gold but I prefer two tone and grey dial over gold and grey dial.

appreciate your thought, u think because i'm having to put one against the other that neither of them are the ones i want?

i can see that being the case... i think the only decision i've ever made without having to look elsewhere was marrying my wife... everything else i've pursued i've always made it a difficult decision (unnecessarily) lol

[edslee327]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

If you choose steel and pay additional $3200 for new bracelet, the total price will be higher than Gold piece?????

it would be almost the same, yes... alternatively - do I sell my modern AP chrono / trade it in for the gold and keep 2 vintage pieces?! :o

[ts3]

Originally Posted by edslee327

appreciate your thought, u think because i'm having to put one against the other that neither of them are the ones i want?

i can see that being the case... i think the only decision i've ever made without having to look elsewhere was marrying my wife... everything else i've pursued i've always made it a difficult decision (unnecessarily) lol

Just too many cons I guess... and I would not pull the trigger if I wasn't 100% sure if I want steel or gold as they are so different.

[edslee327]

I should add that the hands are not original on the steel 14790. Theyre correct in terms of thickness to the model but the lume is more prominent than hr markers. How does that affect value over time? I was told that hands are replaced during servicing sometimes because theyre too fragile, so how common/uncommon is it?

[fullofboats]

Originally Posted by edslee327

I should add that the hands are not original on the steel 14790. Theyre correct in terms of thickness to the model but the lume is more prominent than hr markers. How does that affect value over time? I was told that hands are replaced during servicing sometimes because theyre too fragile, so how common/uncommon is it?

There’ll be an impact on value as “all original” is a big thing for vintage pieces but if you’re not looking to make a profit and all the papers are in order and the price is right then it’s probably ok

AP recommends replacing hands, crowns etc when servicing older pieces to make sure the original hands don’t fall off and to ensure water proof. I have an older RO with them now and they recommended I replace them. It’s up to you but there’s no warranty on the servicing if you dont replace parts as recommended


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[edslee327]

Originally Posted by fullofboats

There’ll be an impact on value as “all original” is a big thing for vintage pieces but if you’re not looking to make a profit and all the papers are in order and the price is right then it’s probably ok

AP recommends replacing hands, crowns etc when servicing older pieces to make sure the original hands don’t fall off and to ensure water proof. I have an older RO with them now and they recommended I replace them. It’s up to you but there’s no warranty on the servicing if you dont replace parts as recommended


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O, i didn't know they didn't warranty a service if you don't replace parts as recommended, that's helpful to know. I don't have original papers but Clearwater verified the original dial color and manufactured year, and said i'm welcome to request extracts for the additional cost but i suppose it's not really necessary if i don't plan on selling it anytime soon and i bought it from a reputable dealer. i do wonder what happened that AP would've recommended hand replacements though within ~20 year period (the actual pictures below show the hands are still aged but not anywhere close to the actual dial, so hence why i assume around the 20 year mark, given the watch is 29 years old).

I'll inquire with them tomorrow if they knew the hands were replaced, since they advertised "original condition." then i'll call clearwater again to see if they'll be able to kind enough to verify what's been serviced...

[sgwatchguy]

My vote is with the gold piece. And keep the ROC.

[onefishtaco]

Sounds like you're not sold on either... I'd pass. The gold you said you'd use as a stepping stone for something else, and that you weren't specifically after a PM piece anyways. And the steel being 10% less wouldn't matter because you'd order a new bracelet. That's just my opinion, good luck and post pics of the winner if you end up choosing one!

[Token74]

I wouldn’t let that 14790 go anywhere!


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[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

My vote is with the gold piece. And keep the ROC.

x2

Originally Posted by onefishtaco

Sounds like you're not sold on either... I'd pass. The gold you said you'd use as a stepping stone for something else, and that you weren't specifically after a PM piece anyways. And the steel being 10% less wouldn't matter because you'd order a new bracelet. That's just my opinion, good luck and post pics of the winner if you end up choosing one!

I think he meant has as in a stepping stone with the dealer, good will per se.
He went on to say a stepping stone because he'd like to get a Daytona at retail.
I, very easily, could be wrong though

[edslee327]

Originally Posted by Token74

I wouldn’t let that 14790 go anywhere!


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what do you mean by that?

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by edslee327

what do you mean by that?

May be he thinks it's not easy to find.

I think it depends on the price, if it's a reasonable price, it would be good to take it. I wonder why do you need to replace with new bracelet, can it be repaired instead?

Do you mind to tell the name of the dealer? I might want to look around for some vintage pieces also.

[edslee327]

yeh, it's definitely a rare piece but if he meant don't take it out of the house then for me, there'd be no point in getting it lol if he meant don't sell it then agreed, i only buy what i like to wear and sometimes down he road i end up trading it or selling to fund another purchase.

i think the price i got it for was comparable to previous sales, which there isn't many to compare against honestly... i won't necessarily replace the bracelet, it was just my initial thought as an option if the bracelet sag got annoying for me. this is my first vintage watch, so it's like turning the page to a whole new chapter. all the things you would typically hate about a modern watch are actually signs of a great vintage piece, which i'm learning and accepting little by little.

i'll share dealer info once i've reached a conclusion but as of now i'm leaning steel. i'll share the thought process within the nexts few days, maybe it'll help you or someone else looking into considering vintage...

[theflywrist]

I'd keep the gold for sure personally.

FYI OP, surely something you already know, but the new bracelet that you would order from AP would be a later "service bracelet". The clasp is different and in terms of value of collectivity, a tight and original bracelet is worth alot more than a new service bracelet.
I would without any hesitation keep the gold one for the better quality, not to mention scarcer watch!

[edslee327]

Originally Posted by theflywrist

I'd keep the gold for sure personally.

FYI OP, surely something you already know, but the new bracelet that you would order from AP would be a later "service bracelet". The clasp is different and in terms of value of collectivity, a tight and original bracelet is worth alot more than a new service bracelet.
I would without any hesitation keep the gold one for the better quality, not to mention scarcer watch!

AP said that i'd be able to keep the original bracelet if i did order another one though, + (from what they tell me), they can provide the original bracelet with the same clasp that's correct to that reference and time period. That said, i thought it might look funny to have a worn case and a brand new shiny bracelet... i'll probably wear it a little as is and see how i feel. I don't like this "ladder" clasp for daily wear, it's not very comfortable after an hr or so... could also be a little too tight... i removed 3 links, but maybe i put one back on... because of the old clasp design, it's not balanced in that theres more links at 6 o'clock than 12, and i can't remove anymore from 6 o'clock unless i break a permenant link (which i don't want to do). i also don't like the look of a 1.5 link, but keeping that on the back burner if need be...

Anyone know if getting fresh screws tightens the bracelet a bit?

[Benzsiam]

I think it would be better to have the original bracelet repaired than have a brand new bracelet. It sure looks out of place when the worn case contrast with new shiny bracelet.

How big is your wrist? My 14790SA came with 20 links + 2 links at the clasp. I have 6.6" wrist, I removed 2 links but it felt a bit loose.

[Benzsiam]

Sorry repeat, delete!

[edslee327]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I think it would be better to have the original bracelet repaired than have a brand new bracelet. It sure looks out of place when the worn case contrast with new shiny bracelet.

How big is your wrist? My 14790SA came with 20 links + 2 links at the clasp. I have 6.6" wrist, I removed 2 links but it felt a bit loose.

hmm that's odd, it came with 19 links + 2 fixed as part of the clasp. i slept with the watch and woke up with a bruise so i immediately put one back on, so there's 17 links + 2 on it. fits just slightly loose, depending on time of day or what i'm doing. i have a taller wrist rather than a wide wrist, and my wrist bone protrudes out so i'm just abnormal altogether lol