15703st or 15710st as First Luxury Piece?

[AfsheenSFC]

Hi All,

Long time lurker here - wanted to get everyone's input. I have a few Tudors (black bay, royal, bb pro), but finally able to get something more high end.

Few questions...

1) Is it a bad idea to skip over Rolex and go straight to AP? Been in love with the brand since 2014 (when 15400 was like $15k grey lol), but just haven't had an opportunity to pull the trigger on anything until now. I feel like my Tudors do nearly everything for me that a Rolex would (other than the brand name of course).

2) Would acquiring a 15703st or 15710st be a good choice? I love the sportiness of the rubber band, and the tapisserie dial + classic AP case seems like a winning combo.

What are y'alls thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
Afsheen

[crispyness87]

Hey. If you’re into flexing to the crowd, I still think (where we are) Rolex would be the way to go. A Daytona or Pepsi will probably get more street cred amongst the commoners.

However, for the reasons you mentioned, an offshore is a compelling proposition. I love the offshore. Once I got my offshore, I ‘tossed’ my 116500ln panda to my wife.

[dmash]

It's hard to just tell you to go for it unless you've tried them on. I can't stress enough that a ROO wears COMPLETELY different than any Rolex/Tudor. I personally love it, some people end up hating it. I actually love it so much I'm not really interested in anything outside of Rolex aside from my Sub and the Day Date I have on order. On the other hand, some guys are Rolex obsessive and want different iterations of a Sub, a GMT, a Datejust, etc etc etc.

You really got to try these on, it's not just a simple progression of 'I want to upgrade to an AP', it's a different fit and feel as well.

[AfsheenSFC]

Originally Posted by crispyness87

Hey. If you’re into flexing to the crowd, I still think (where we are) Rolex would be the way to go. A Daytona or Pepsi will probably get more street cred amongst the commoners.

However, for the reasons you mentioned, an offshore is a compelling proposition. I love the offshore. Once I got my offshore, I ‘tossed’ my 116500ln panda to my wife.

I'm definitely not interested in flexing - the more unnoticed, the better!

[AfsheenSFC]

Originally Posted by dmash

It's hard to just tell you to go for it unless you've tried them on. I can't stress enough that a ROO wears COMPLETELY different than any Rolex/Tudor. I personally love it, some people end up hating it. I actually love it so much I'm not really interested in anything outside of Rolex aside from my Sub and the Day Date I have on order. On the other hand, some guys are Rolex obsessive and want different iterations of a Sub, a GMT, a Datejust, etc etc etc.

You really got to try these on, it's not just a simple progression of 'I want to upgrade to an AP', it's a different fit and feel as well.

Very solid point. Appreciative for the insights!

So do you think I should locate a local grey dealer with one in stock to give it a wear before making a decision? I'm located in LA and guessing someone must have it... it's just a matter of finding them.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by AfsheenSFC

Very solid point. Appreciative for the insights!

So do you think I should locate a local grey dealer with one in stock to give it a wear before making a decision? I'm located in LA and guessing someone must have it... it's just a matter of finding them.

Quick edit to my above, meant to say, ‘I’m not interested in anything else from Rolex except for my Sub and Day Date’. As I love AP so much. Haha to clarify.

And yes I definitely think you should locate a grey dealer or even buy from somebody who has a rock solid return policy. As I’m not kidding, I’ve known guys to try one on for the first time and realize ‘wow this isn’t for me’.

[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by AfsheenSFC

I'm definitely not interested in flexing - the more unnoticed, the better!

APs stand out more than rolexes, they're big and glittery, especially offshores. You will get noticed. If you wear it out, be aware of your surroundings.

I recently got an og 15703 diver. A couple of things to consider re: 15703 vs 15710s:

15703 has a carved tapisserie dial, not stamped, which I personally much prefer. I also like the dive bezel font more. Sadly it has a closed case back so you miss out on being able to occasionally admire the 3120 movement.

The 15710 corrected the closed case back, but the dial lacks the detail of the og model.

In my experience there are a lot more 15710s around $18-20k in much better condition. AP discontinued the 15703 nine years ago, so you will likely see a lot of 15703s that have been worn in good health, and are overpolished with rounded rubber crowns priced similarly to better-condition 15710s. Look out for the angles on the mirror polished parts looking soft, and the edges of the rubber crowns being rounded. It's nothing a service can't fix but it's a significant added cost for the older model. One especially unscrupulous dealer tried to convince me a clearly well-used, overpolished, rounded-crown 15703 with visible wrist gunge was NOS, and he was charging significantly over market.

[dmash]

I disagree about Offshore being noticeable, I’ve encountered the EXACT opposite. People think it’s a super cheap watch unless you’re a watch person Rubber straps can cheapen a watch aesthetic to the majority of people, which I love.

[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by dmash

I disagree about Offshore being noticeable, I’ve encountered the EXACT opposite. People think it’s a super cheap watch unless you’re a watch person Rubber straps can cheapen a watch aesthetic to the majority of people, which I love.

In public I’ve found people notice it, waiters will ask if its real etc. ROOs are pretty gigantic and unmissable. Most people don’t necessarily know what they’re looking at, but given AP’s popularity in rap and flex culture, in some public situations the people who do recognize what you’re wearing, you’d maybe prefer they didn’t. IMO it’s always better to be a little cautious and aware.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by ciceroyeah

In public I’ve found people notice it, waiters will ask if its real etc. ROOs are pretty gigantic and unmissable. Most people don’t necessarily know what they’re looking at, but given AP’s popularity in rap and flex culture, in some public situations the people who do recognize what you’re wearing, you’d maybe prefer they didn’t. IMO it’s always better to be a little cautious and aware.

You have waiters ask you if your watch is real? I worked tons of tip based jobs in my teenage/university years and myself nor anybody I’ve ever known would ever ask something like this as it is borderline demeaning in the sense of implying you own counterfeit goods. That’s unbelievable if so.

And again, sorry just agree to disagree, you can ask 100 random people on the street and if you’re not in a large metropolitan area I can almost guarantee you over 95% won’t have a clue (nor care) what a ROO is unless you told them. They’d probably take it as a Invicta before they assumed Audemars, a gigantic watch is actually mostly correlated to trendy watches, not high horology. This is US specific, I’ve found in Thailand for example the percentage is much higher.

Anyhow just my 2c

[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by dmash

You have waiters ask you if your watch is real?

Sorry I worked tons of tip based jobs in my teenage/university years and myself nor anybody I’ve ever known would ever ask something like this as it is borderline demeaning in the sense of implying you own counterfeit goods.

That happened at a restaurant in Chinatown, the waiter was a pretty awkward teenager, but yeah even then it was surprising.

[WatchMyWatches]

1. Skip ahead. If you’ve been longing for an AP, then only an AP can satisfy your craving.
2. The Diver is a good choice. But I do prefer a 26470ST for a more quintessential ROO look.

[rrschmieder]

I love my AP Diver and think it’s a great entry point to the brand. I’ve been long time rolex owner and it was my first piece with the brand - it definitely inspired me to fall in love with AP and appreciate the higher quality finishing. The black dial variant is a classic and goes with most everything.

Between the two models I opted for the 15703st because this variant came with a more shiny or “wet dial”. I definitely prefer the look of it vs. the more flat/mat dial. Better light play. Not having a see through case-back wasn’t that important to me - Rolex had never had them and you don’t look at the case back as much as the front :)

[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by rrschmieder

I love my AP Diver and think it’s a great entry point to the brand. I’ve been long time rolex owner and it was my first piece with the brand - it definitely inspired me to fall in love with AP and appreciate the higher quality finishing. The black dial variant is a classic and goes with most everything.

Between the two models I opted for the 15703st because this variant came with a more shiny or “wet dial”. I definitely prefer the look of it vs. the more flat/mat dial. Better light play. Not having a see through case-back wasn’t that important to me - Rolex had never had them and you don’t look at the case back as much as the front :)

Completely agree, though I think a guilloche "wet dial" with open case-back would be the best of both worlds

[srvrf]

Go straight to AP. Your reasoning is sound about having Tudors for situations where you wouldn't wear your AP. However either of those two Divers could easily be worn everyday.

[dmash]

This thread really makes me wonder why AP has seemingly ended black divers (at least for time being). A diver just vibes in a black dial colorway, it's arguably the best. I really hope they re-release a white and black diver this fall, maybe even re-introducing ceramic. It needs to exist in the catalog.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by dmash

This thread really makes me wonder why AP has seemingly ended black divers (at least for time being). A diver just vibes in a black dial colorway, it's arguably the best. I really hope they re-release a white and black diver this fall, maybe even re-introducing ceramic. It needs to exist in the catalog.

I prefer the white dial Diver to the black personally

[AfsheenSFC]

Thank you all for the wonderful input! I'm thinking 15703st will be the way, as I love the 'wet dial' look. The open caseback is of course incredible, but I would only see that when the watch is off/discussing the piece with close friends, so that's not a deal breaker I think.

Living in LA, I already pay close attention to my surroundings (it's crazy out here!) and would be on even higher alert when wearing the ROO out.

The only problem now is finding a local grey dealer in LA with the piece in stock so I can try it on first! Want to make sure it fits my wrist size (just about 7 inch).

Anyone know of reputable grey dealers around Beverly Hills?

[dmash]

Originally Posted by GW44

I prefer the white dial Diver to the black personally

*precisely* why I said I hope they re-release black and white ones I've been eyeing a green strap/white dial Panerai but an AP would just blow it out of the water. I'm really attracted to some colorful rubber on white dial watches as of late, would fill a gap in my collection.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by AfsheenSFC

Thank you all for the wonderful input! I'm thinking 15703st will be the way, as I love the 'wet dial' look. The open caseback is of course incredible, but I would only see that when the watch is off/discussing the piece with close friends, so that's not a deal breaker I think.

Living in LA, I already pay close attention to my surroundings (it's crazy out here!) and would be on even higher alert when wearing the ROO out.

The only problem now is finding a local grey dealer in LA with the piece in stock so I can try it on first! Want to make sure it fits my wrist size (just about 7 inch).

Anyone know of reputable grey dealers around Beverly Hills?

My wrist is also exactly 7" as of this writing (will grow to 7.25 if I'm really working out hah) and I can comfortably wear the 43ROO and 42Diver but the 44ROO seemed a bit too big to me. 7" can carry a diver 100%, but definitely try on for your own sake!

[AfsheenSFC]

Originally Posted by dmash

My wrist is also exactly 7" as of this writing (will grow to 7.25 if I'm really working out hah) and I can comfortably wear the 43ROO and 42Diver but the 44ROO seemed a bit too big to me. 7" can carry a diver 100%, but definitely try on for your own sake!

Appreciate the input! I'm pretty sure the 42 diver will fit, just gotta make sure before pulling the trigger lol

[AfsheenSFC]

Originally Posted by GW44

I prefer the white dial Diver to the black personally

Maaan that thing is so beautiful!

[APhound]

Just do it.


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[AfsheenSFC]

Originally Posted by arbees319

Just do it.


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So beautiful man!!

Gotta find a local dealer now lol

[APhound]

Originally Posted by AfsheenSFC

So beautiful man!!

Gotta find a local dealer now lol

Just buy it second hand, may not be worth the trouble for a small or no premium.
My advice, get the newest one you can afford.


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[ciceroyeah]

Originally Posted by arbees319

Just buy it second hand, may not be worth the trouble for a small or no premium.
My advice, get the newest one you can afford.


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For 15703/15710 you don't have a choice, both models are discontinued so you can only get them second-hand, but the prices are substantially lower than AP's current diver MSRP.

You may not find much selection locally. I would recommend looking at grey dealers globally, or at least throughout the USA, who do a lot of business on TRF or otherwise come highly recommended. I cannot stress enough: buy the seller. Even when you buy from trustworthy dealers, older watches often have issues, and you should be prepared to send the watch in for service at Clearwater soon after purchase, so budget that into the purchase price.