150th Anniversary Royal Oaks

[GW44]

Recently visited APH and had a good look at a few of the new releases.

Mainly concentrated on the 26674ST QP in Steel and then the new 15416CD in Bleu Nuit.

QP first;





I'm a huge fan of the new Calibre 7138 and AP really have moved the QP game on with this.

Once you get the dial in the sunlight it really does "pop" but otherwise it's pretty low key. The whole watch feels very comfortable and is a very balanced design if that makes sense.

For me I actually preferred the 26585XT in Titanium (Sorry, I forgot to take pics as my champagne glass was being refilled ) which just looks on another level to it's Steel cousin. I'm not really a fan of Titanium watches per se as I like a little "heft" on my wrist but the XT does look, feel and is totally amazing. Will be interesting to see if this continues into the catalogue after 2025/150th Anniversary.

Next, the new "Bleu Nuit" Double Balanced Openworked;









This was not a marketing piece but a brand new watch (1 of 2 for 2025) that the lucky AP client is collecting in a couple of weeks so I was fortunate to be shown this piece but we kept on the plastic protective casing.

As we've seen from prior posts and pics of this new piece here on TRF it can look very different according the light and how the picture is taken. I've seen some pictures where it looks a very dark, almost Black Blue and then those at the other end of scale where it looks almost the prior 26579CS.

Prior to last Saturday I fully expected to LOVE this piece if I was shown it and to produce a begging bowl for it to be allocated to me at some point in the near future. So imagine my surprise when my first reaction was "Er......um.......I just don't love it......"

I gave it more time and (very carefully as it is not my watch) looked at it in differing lighting in APH and despite that couldn't bring myself to change from the initial view. Clearly this is a mega VVIP piece and a mere mortal like me cannot hope to get one any time soon but the reality of seeing it/trying it on actually gave me comfort in that I know that my next "big" piece remains the 15704ST with the new 02 dial configuration. I think this 15416CD will be hugely sought after but, for me, it'll only look good or work on someone "young" (Maybe 45 years old max?!?!) as on anyone older, 50+ like me, it screams "I'm just trying too hard"

Feel free to flame me for that heresy!

If an AP ceramic piece (and let's face it, they really lead the market here) is on my wish list it'll probably be the 26240CE, unless AP (FINALLY) bring out a 41mm 3 hander in Ceramic.

Also looked at a beautiful Code 11.59 26395NR Minute Repeater Supersonnerie but the picture of that I took was pretty lame, so apologies for that;



Lovely piece and complication.........but £225k lovely? Mmmmmmm

So overall another hugely enjoyable, engaging and worthwhile check in with APH London and their brilliant team of people who are a credit to the brand.

[Pfang56]

Nice summary!

I actually agree on the blue ceramic openworked - a little mixed feelings. Not as sleek as the black, not as fun as the white, but a good midpoint. I'm sure for many many collectors this is going to be a real top wishlist item. I'm sure there will be many more surprises in store in the future!


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[golfer_john]

thanks for sharing Gareth, great visit!...I agree about the blue OW...also, I'm not a fan of the RG balance wheel bridge that stands out versus the rest of the dial...I like the execution much better on the steel, YG and black ceramic models

[Vivalas]

Nice write up big G

Though I’d like to query something - you get champagne when you go in? All I get is tap water

[ikincooper]

Reads like you had a great time Gareth mate .

I felt so special trying on the new QP in Manchester, such a beautifully well balanced watch.



It’s funny how sometimes a watch doesn’t quite hit as you perhaps anticipate it should. Goes to show how important it is to see a watch in the flesh.

Appreciate your write up, Niki


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[Little machines]

Thank you for sharing !

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Pfang56

Nice summary!

I actually agree on the blue ceramic openworked - a little mixed feelings. Not as sleek as the black, not as fun as the white, but a good midpoint. I'm sure for many many collectors this is going to be a real top wishlist item. I'm sure there will be many more surprises in store in the future!


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Originally Posted by Little machines

Thank you for sharing !

Thank you.

Apreciate the feedback!

[GW44]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

Reads like you had a great time Gareth mate .

I felt so special trying on the new QP in Manchester, such a beautifully well balanced watch.



It’s funny how sometimes a watch doesn’t quite hit as you perhaps anticipate it should. Goes to show how important it is to see a watch in the flesh.

Appreciate your write up, Niki


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Thanks Niki. Enjoyed your write up too. The QP is lovely and did you get the chance to see it in differing lights?

And I totally agree that until you strap something on your wrist you just don't really know if you'll gel with it, or not.

Hope you're keeping well.

Originally Posted by Vivalas

Nice write up big G

Though I’d like to query something - you get champagne when you go in? All I get is tap water

Well APH London know that the more I drink, the more I'll agree to buy under the influence Now you might understand why we were gutted that APH NYC was "dry"

Originally Posted by golfer_john

thanks for sharing Gareth, great visit!...I agree about the blue OW...also, I'm not a fan of the RG balance wheel bridge that stands out versus the rest of the dial...I like the execution much better on the steel, YG and black ceramic models

It shows what good taste we both have John!

[7sins]

Couldn't agree more on the new QP, this is the innovation and engerring marvel we should demand from AP.

Unfortunate and disappointing one has already landed for sale on moda. Poor allocation selection again AP, great job.

[Armis]

Thank you for these pictures and your reflections on the experience.

Can you clarify regarding your statement on the 15704ST with the new 02 dial being your preference…is there a new version expected, or you’re referring to the discontinued model?

[Reign]

That minute repeater is only £225k? Yes that’s a ton but not crazy for a chiming piece


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[GW44]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Couldn't agree more on the new QP, this is the innovation and engerring marvel we should demand from AP.

Unfortunate and disappointing one has already landed for sale on moda. Poor allocation selection again AP, great job.

Completely agree about that new QP being flipped but that dealer in Florida always gets/has the latest and hottest AP’s so they’re obviously very well connected. I suspect it’s a celebrity flipper given the frequency the dealer has stuff from AP and others.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Armis

Thank you for these pictures and your reflections on the experience.

Can you clarify regarding your statement on the 15704ST with the new 02 dial being your preference…is there a new version expected, or you’re referring to the discontinued model?

You’re welcome and thank you.

Apologies for the typo when I meant the new 15407ST

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/e...1220ST.02.html

The discontinued Double Balanced Openworked 15407ST was the 01 reference in Steel if I recall correctly.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Reign

That minute repeater is only £225k? Yes that’s a ton but not crazy for a chiming piece


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Yes, a mere drop in the ocean for £225k

I have no real interest, or frame of reference, for an AP chiming piece to be honest hence my comments.

Out of interest would you request such a piece from AP?

[supernova]

I too am a fan of the new QPs. Was able to try on the new sand gold QP when I was in APH London couple months ago. Stunning to say the least!



Even picked up some swag from my new SA The AP activity book for kids is really cool!




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[GW44]

Impressed you shaved your arm first to show off the Sand Gold QP to its best

[Armis]

Originally Posted by GW44

You’re welcome and thank you.

Apologies for the typo when I meant the new 15407ST

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/e...1220ST.02.html

The discontinued Double Balanced Openworked 15407ST was the 01 reference in Steel if I recall correctly.

Understood, thank you. This is what I thought you might have been referring to, but I’m not really in the know like most of you guys. I look forward to your impressions on the openworked when you receive it.
Cheers

[grahammackay86]

Looks like a nice visit and thanks for the write up Gareth. Totally agreed with the new blue ceramic, I was expecting to love it but from every photo/ video I’ve seen there’s none that do it for me. Much prefer the open-worked in steel, rose gold, yellow gold or black ceramic.

The new QP looks great!

[mickyd329]

Sounds like a great visit Gareth. Personally, I loved the blue OW CE. But then again, I'm sucker for anything AP openwork or ceramic. Lol! I asked for one, but a Jumbo WG OW showed up instead, so I guess I need to keep on dreaming...

[GW44]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

Sounds like a great visit Gareth. Personally, I loved the blue OW CE. But then again, I'm sucker for anything AP openwork or ceramic. Lol! I asked for one, but a Jumbo WG OW showed up instead, so I guess I need to keep on dreaming...

Thanks Micky. It’s always good to see my contact at APH and even more so when there are some amazing pieces to be seen.

I note that Ed Sheeran was pictured last week with his Blue Openworked and then a few days later one was on Moda for $525,000