Exiting the brand

[Henrimontgomery]

Let me start by saying I appreciate AP a lot, and that I completely understand why people love them.

However after years of lusting and finally getting my ROC, I just think this is not for me; I feel like I’ve fallen pray to the emperor’s clothes story.

I’ve tried many models from AP, and was allowed to place a wish for 26240 in white. A few months ago, I finally got it and from day 1 I’ve had doubts.

First thing that struck me, was that white wasn’t that of a great color. Then the thickness, it was thick for a luxury chronograph. The caliber is nice but again, nothing to write home about IMO. I understand the price point isn’t high enough to warrant impressive bevel and inner angles, and there are some present, but living alongside heavy machined finish.

And then the chronometric performance. People complain about 3235 accuracy, well let me tell you it’s a high end quartz movement compared to what AP has produced. It’s simply just my least reliable watch.

41mm is too large for my wrist for the dial, and even for the bracelet. You end up with something that should be beautiful, but isn’t. The lugs are not those of a Royal oak. They are thick and the side profile feels like a caricature of a RO.

In some aspects I find the watch pretty, but the fact it’s not my color or even model, I’m not happy. I don’t regret buying it, but two things annoy me:

1) if I now ask for another dial color, or even a 3 hands RO, I know I will get it even as a new customer. This was confirmed by some friends of mine who registered their interest. When I asked for a RO back then; 26240 white was all they would register my interest on. Yes I know I should feel lucky to have bypassed the CODE mandatory buy, but still.

2) I now feel that no RO is interesting. Besides the Jumbo (which I will never get) or the 37mm (which are slightly too small), there is nothing in the catalogue for me.

So now I’m faced with the obvious conclusion: AP is simply not for me. I wish it was but the RO, CODE, don’t look good on my wrist.

I sometimes force myself to wear my ROC, and it’s night and day when I put back my daily (Sub). Yes it’s not pretty from some angles, but the comfort and peace of mind I have with it is a stark contrast against the ROC.

I’ll probably be selling my ROC (and killing the relationship with it) but that is how it is.

[PT_91]

Thanks for the summary and sorry to hear that you've come to this conclusion. Can you maybe share a wrist shot to see how the 41mm look on your wrist?

I think there's plenty other very interesting brands that you can spend this kind of money on and end up with a higher number of watches :) Do you already have anything in mind that could be your next acquisition, considering the amount you'll receive for the ROC?

[dmash]

It seems the majority of your complaints are

Too big
Too thick
Not right color

All of which can be alleviated by getting a different model and colorway. Not sure why you’d write off the entire brand because of that, but you do you

[Henrimontgomery]

There it is!

I’ve been thinking a lot about 5226

[BogdanS]

As a matter of fact, I am currently on the list for a ROC and on my last visit to Boutique I’ve tried two ROC: the white and the green. I was absolutely blown away by the white dial. Impossible to get in pictures.






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[RiRi]

I am also stuck in between - 41mm too big and 37mm not interesting enough (proportions and the non-inhouse movements).

That's why I stuck to the old 39mm ROCs and a 15300, also because I do not particularly like to play AD games and get "interviewed" to pay 10s of thousands for a watch ...

So for me, neo-vintage is clearly the way to go!

[V25V]

I agree the 41 is too big. 39-40 is my sweet spot as well but if all hope is not lost yet, maybe try and get a 38 ROC? They wear much more like a 40 and think that's where I would go if I was going to get another chrono.

[PT_91]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

There it is!

I’ve been thinking a lot about 5226

I think it looks great on your wrist, but in the end you're the only one who has to like it ;-) 5226 is great, I love the "Leica" dial. I had the chance to try on the 5326 a few months ago...it's beautiful.

[VogelPhoenix]

I thought it looks good in the picture, but agree that the 26240 is pretty chunky. The 41mm RO/ROC was always quite big and the thickness for the 26240 adds to that impression. The 38mm chrono fixes both issues, but it's not quite clear how to arrange the exchange via the boutique, if one would want to go that way.

As is probably clear, I like the RO/ROC a lot. OTOH, I find the PP 5226 incredibly unattractive - not much sense arguing about matters of taste.

[crispyness87]

Thats unfortunate OP. Well, the heart wants what the heart wants.

For me, I like my ROs big. The bigger, the better. I’m fully aware I’m exhibiting significant small-man-syndrome vibes…




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[lig]

I think it looks pretty good on you but agree that 39mm is the RO sweet spot.

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by dmash

It seems the majority of your complaints are

Too big
Too thick
Not right color

All of which can be alleviated by getting a different model and colorway. Not sure why you’d write off the entire brand because of that, but you do you

i think you have missed watch is not accurate part... that is my biggest gripe with the brand as well.. to me, accuracy is paramount. It is not an issue with other brands i own, just AP.... I have sent watch to be worked on only to be told it is within specs.. it is consistently slow by up to 30 seconds per day..

[CactusTreeFiddy]

Originally Posted by crispyness87

Thats unfortunate OP. Well, the heart wants what the heart wants.

For me, I like my ROs big. The bigger, the better. I’m fully aware I’m exhibiting significant small-man-syndrome vibes…




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Quite a nice fit. How bigs your wrist if u don't mind me asking?

[chows99]

You should know that you are fortunate to be allocated and yet still harbour so much grievances. AP RO is a great model and hope AP recognise that you are a seller eventually.

[CactusTreeFiddy]

I feel your pain OP, the size can seem brutal, but some people love that sort of presence on the wrist. Each to their own, and what youre saying isn't crazy at all

Would thoroughly recommend trying the similar 37mm RO if you get the chance however. They wear larger than their stated size, the white dial improves the perceived size from far away, and it has that elegance you might be after

[APWorldTour]

Originally Posted by chows99

You should know that you are fortunate to be allocated and yet still harbour so much grievances. AP RO is a great model and hope AP recognise that you are a seller eventually.

Fortunate to be allocated sure but we are not talking about an especially hard piece to be allocated.

Are you suggesting that he hodls it even if he doesn’t like it just because he was lucky to receive an allocation? And that AP should punish him for selling something that he doesn’t love? I understand that we should be cracking down on flippers but this seems unreasonable to me.

[PT_91]

Originally Posted by chows99

You should know that you are fortunate to be allocated and yet still harbour so much grievances. AP RO is a great model and hope AP recognise that you are a seller eventually.

Uncalled for

[Palex]

Originally Posted by crispyness87

Thats unfortunate OP. Well, the heart wants what the heart wants.

For me, I like my ROs big. The bigger, the better. I’m fully aware I’m exhibiting significant small-man-syndrome vibes…




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Great photo!

[V25V]

Originally Posted by chows99

You should know that you are fortunate to be allocated and yet still harbour so much grievances. AP RO is a great model and hope AP recognise that you are a seller eventually.

lol really?

[jgottsman11]

Are you forgetting about the 15300 in 39mm? That's the best watch in the AP lineup in my opinion

[crispyness87]

Originally Posted by CactusTreeFiddy

Quite a nice fit. How bigs your wrist if u don't mind me asking?

Sure! My wrists are 6.5inches on a good day, so nothing to shout about.


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[Vivalas]

If it doesn’t do it for you, fair enough.

However I think it looks fantastic on you.

[ExplorerI]

Have you looked at the 15300 in blue? Seems to be exactly what you are asking for

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

Are you forgetting about the 15300 in 39mm? That's the best watch in the AP lineup in my opinion

My suggestion as well. I have the 37mm RO and 38mm ROC and I feel the 39mm 15300 has the best proportions for most wrist sizes.

[lig]

@jgottsman11 @Explorer1 @Vipes. Agreed.


Still my favorite. I don't have big wrists - 6.75. Just right imo

[bullies]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

There it is!

I’ve been thinking a lot about 5226

Looks pretty damn good to me, but if it doesn't work it doesn't work.

[raclaims]

I personally love the 41mm size and it's perfect for me so I myself am glad there's a brand out there not going super tiny but they do offer 34,37,38,39 so it's not like they don't have other sizes.

That said, it looks great on you IMHO but if you don't love it move on.

I'm wearing a code now and it's fantastic...words I never thought I'd say...maybe look at the new SS code chronos. I'll post a pic in a min

[dauster]

Originally Posted by dmash

It seems the majority of your complaints are

Too big
Too thick
Not right color

All of which can be alleviated by getting a different model and colorway. Not sure why you’d write off the entire brand because of that, but you do you

makes perfect sense to me. Because the brand doesn't offer many watches in 39mm other than the jumpo and that's a super hard watch to get.

if the ROC is too big, it means all ROO and concepts will be too big, inlcuding the code. so what's left to buy to finally get the jumpo ? nothing really , which means there is no point in spending money and building a relationship

[raclaims]

Here you go

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by chows99

You should know that you are fortunate to be allocated and yet still harbour so much grievances. AP RO is a great model and hope AP recognise that you are a seller eventually.

Sums up everything that is wrong with certain category of watch enthusiasts