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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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Royal Oak 4100 vs 14790
Vintage Royal Oak fans, I've been researching the midsize references lately and am intrigued with the 4100 and 14790 references. I've read the great posts by A Collected Man, Watch Brothers London and 41 Watches as well as AP's own AP Chronicles website.
I am curious if anyone has had / held both and if so had a preference for one or the other? One could argue the 4100 is the closest to the 5402 given it's the first midsize release but one could counter that the 14790 mk 1 and mk2 have very similar visual traits but a screw down crown, better clasp, and updated movement. Don't know that I could go wrong with either but curious to hear your thoughts. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Stratosphere
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You can’t go wrong with either really.
Buy the best quality you can find. Condition is everything with royal oaks generally, more so the older ones. A bad polish or over polish will totally butcher a royal oak. The 1 mm on the 14790 does add that added size if we’re splitting hairs but ultimately for me, I’d find the best example I can find with original parts (ideally original / non service crown, hands, etc). Lovely reference btw! Good luck on the hunt Pic of my 14790BA. Love this watch ![]() |
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#3 |
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Watch: 116500LN
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I used to have a 4100st but ultimately sold it since it wanted something bigger and more robust on my 7in wrist. It was a charming and classy piece but i prefer my 15500st (last pic)
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#4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Real Name: Ben
Location: London, UK
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So great to hear you read the article. Full disclosure the 4100 is my favourite midsize Oak due to the size (I have just over 16.5cm wrists), dial layout/aesthetics and in my opinion being the true 'mini' jumbo as produced in overlap with the 5402 (from B series) presumably to cater for smaller wrists.
The 4100 does wear quite a bit smaller than the 14790, so if you can try them both on I would strongly advise it. Finally I wanted to mention that getting hold of gaskets for the 4100 is very tough, especially as it has a removal case-back unlike the other mid size models, worth considering for servicing. Best of luck with the search, whichever one you land on I'm sure you'll absolutely love, these Royal Oaks are incredible watches! |
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#5 |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 175
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I also love the midsizes... 4100ST / 14790ST.
Ultimately I went for the 14700ST transitional model (picture below) between the 4100ST and 14790ST because it has the MK1 style tapisserie, a slightly slimmer bezel than the 14790 MK1 and the AP logo @ 12 has the same proportions as the Jumbo (although some 14700ST have the smaller AP @ 12 that is the same as the 14790). Plus it's fun to have something that is less common. That being said, I'd like to pick up more midsizes and I've gone back and forth between the 4100ST and the 14790ST. I think generally I'd prefer a 14790ST all things considered for several reasons:
I'd definitely be happy with a 4100ST, though, if the price was right. ![]() |
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: New England
Watch: RO, Nautilus, GMT
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Quote:
Wow, that is absolutely gorgeous! |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Dallas
Posts: 39
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Thank you all for the feedback! I ran across an instagram post where a guy had both the 4100 and 14790 side by side in his hand. I am amazed at what a difference there is between the two. Both still fantastic but I can definitely see how the 14790 will wear bigger.
If / when I pick one up, I'll be sure to update the thread. |
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#9 |
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Real Name: Joyce
Location: SF and NYC
Watch: GMT, AP, DD,
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I've tried on the 4100 and have both a 14790 Yves Klein and 14700 TT in my collection. All these mid-sized ROs are spendier now and have a bit of a cult following. I have a small wrist and found the 4100 worked well but I couldn't read the small type font on it. The slightly larger 14790 has the edge for me.
The 14700 has the thinner bezel which I love. ![]() The 14790s come in cool variations ![]()
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#10 |
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Dallas
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^^Beautiful YK dial!^^
Has anyone sent in their 14790 or 4100 to APSC for servicing? If so how much did it run to the service the 2125/2225 movement? I've read a few conflicting experiences about how AP won't/can't service this movement and it might need to be upgraded. Just curious what people's experiences have been. I am used to the rock solid nature of my Rolexes the past 6 years (one new and one old) and want to make sure I know what I might be getting into if I were to go the vintage mid size route. |
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#11 | |
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Quote:
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#12 |
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Location: SF and NYC
Watch: GMT, AP, DD,
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My 14790 was easily serviced. Not sure if you go independent watchmaker route but AP servicing wasn't an issue.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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#13 |
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Location: USA
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Also note that some 4100s have a different case than the 14790s. They open from the back rather than lifting from the front as most Royal Oaks do.
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#14 |
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Watch: 16520 & 4100BA
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I recently brought my 4100BA to AP Beverly Hills (Kimberly). It was in mint condition but I paid for the whole boat on it and they were required to send it to Switzerland. A month or two later it came back with a new movement BUT no documentation regarding the number of the movement (not did I get back my old crown because the new movement required this to be changed). Anyway, it was like $2800 if I recall.
A screaming deal for a brand new AP movement in a watch built in 1984. |
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#15 | |
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Quote:
I'm curious because I've seen a number of old APs which have gotten new movements during a factory service. In fact, AP seems pretty liberal with replacing entire movements compared with other high end brands. |
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#16 |
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For people interested in the comparison of the 14790 to the Jumbo and the 15450, I took some pictures. Comparing the proportions is interesting.
The bracelet of the 14790 is much more delicate compared to modern bracelets. It's not as wide as the Jumbo (as you might expect), but it is also a lot less thick than the 15450. I compared with a brand new 14790 (0789) bracelet that hasn't been installed yet (vs. the existing stretched out one on my 14700). OTOH the proportions of the dial thickness to rest of the watch are keeping much better with the Jumbo on the 14790. The 15450 is kinda weirdly thick and chunky. The thinner 15550 case dimensions seem to be an improvement on this front. 14790 bracelet vs. 15202 ![]() 14790 bracelet vs. 15450 ![]() 14790 bracelet vs. 15450 bracelet thickness ![]() 14700 closed vs. 15450 closed (proportions) ![]() 14700 closed vs. 15202 closed (proportions) ![]() 14700 front vs. 15202 front ![]() 14700 front vs. 15450 front ![]() |
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#17 | |
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Quote:
A nice 14700 in steel are tough to find. Would love one! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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#18 | |
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Quote:
![]() Now just needs a comparison to the 15550 - I assume that also has a thinner bracelet than the 15450? On the 26331, the difference in bracelet thickness vs the 26240 is very noticeable - I prefer the new bracelet, but not as strongly as I prefer the older, thinner case. |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Jul 2022
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Watch: 16520 & 4100BA
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Back from Switzerland with the brand new new movement!
4100BA. Mint ! |
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#20 |
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There's one on Chrono24 right now that is very intriguing because it is a 14700ST with a long index (small tapisserie) MK1 white dial. Most mid-size white dials in steel are the 14790 MK3 dial. I've only ever seen a few examples of 4100, 14700, 14790 with steel + white dial + small tapisserie (MK1 or MK2).
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#21 |
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Watch: 16520 & 4100BA
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That was the one thing AP would not change while it was in Le Brassus, the dial. I just had to ask if I could get a blue one. A BRAND new movement and updated crown, no sweat ! But they specifically informed me that this was the ONLY font, color and obviously (small) tapisserie for this watch (in particular) they would remake it with the old equipment before they would changed it or update it. Which was fine.
Last edited by Mirek; 30 July 2022 at 11:10 AM.. Reason: Detail |
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#22 | |
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Quote:
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#23 |
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Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: LA
Watch: 16520 & 4100BA
Posts: 47
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: LA
Watch: 16520 & 4100BA
Posts: 47
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#25 |
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: CA
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That is a nice a watch
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#26 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Singapore
Posts: 383
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Quote:
I'm hunting for a 14790st after selling my 15450. I prefer the long indices on the dial. Does it mean I should just be looking at mk 1 and 2? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#27 |
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Real Name: Erich
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This is like picking your favorite kid, lol. As always, it's about personal taste and preferences. Both watches are high-quality luxury timepieces that are well-regarded by watch enthusiasts. Here are some high level thoughts on both...I think i'm pretty accurate on all this...
Movement: The Royal Oak 4100 is powered by the Caliber 2121 automatic movement, which is a thin, high-quality movement that has been used in the Royal Oak since 1972. The 14790, on the other hand, is powered by the Caliber 2225 automatic movement, which is thicker and not as refined as the Caliber 2121. Size: The Royal Oak 4100 has a larger case size of 39mm compared to the 36mm case size of the 14790. The larger case size of the Royal Oak 4100 may be more appealing to those who prefer a larger watch. Design: The Royal Oak 4100 has a more classic and timeless design, with a simple dial and a thinner bezel compared to the 14790, which has a thicker and more complex bezel design. Water resistance: The Royal Oak 4100 has a water resistance of 50 meters, while the 14790 has a water resistance of 20 meters. This makes the Royal Oak 4100 more suitable for activities that involve water, such as swimming or snorkeling. |
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#28 |
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#29 |
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The 4100 is not 39mm and not larger than the 14790. If anything it's smaller. Some folks list it at 35 or 35.5mm, others at 36mm.
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#30 |
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