New watch release if you were the CEO of AP?

[Mighty_Kraken]

Ok guys, how would your new next watch release look like if you were the CEO of AP?

Mine:

• Model: Royal Oak
• Size: 39 mm
• Case material: Grey ceramic
• Hand set: like 150202 (2 hands)
• Rotordesign: like 150202ST 2010/2011 model year
• Dial: Yves Klein blue with petite tapisserie and matching date disk

[Ichiran]

I will not change anything about the 16202.

For the rest of the men's RO, I will offer them in various sizes - 36mm, 38mm and 40mm.

Colour-wise, it will be blue, silver and black for a start and other colours for limited editions.

For case material, it will be offered in SS, titanium, rose gold, yellow gold and platinum.

[charlie2888]

I would re-release the 5402 with the original movement (and movement finishing), monobloc case, thinner bracelet, with everything exactly as original except for perhaps an upgraded clasp.

[westoque]

I would release a Classical collection. That brings back the round and thin case that houses simple complications from 3 handers to complex perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. I think this is severely missing from AP. They have the Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, and Code 11.59 that are ALL contemporary. Now with the Classical collection, AP should be a more rounded watch company closing similar to Patek. I would just love to have a Calatrava alternative from AP which they used to have.

[TunaTuna]

I would reissue the 48mm Shaq offshore

[Knoxx]

Originally Posted by TunaTuna

I would reissue the 48mm Shaq offshore

LOL.. nice one + Arnold

[koveras]

Full ceramic cases ROO 43mm and Diver. And the ceramic RO, that KH showed us months ago

[robertengel]

39mm Royal Oak dual time

[DonLee]

There's quite the difference of being the CEO and being just a fan.

as a fan, I'd like them to have more variety of movements and watches.
right now it's just 3 hand/chrono/perpetual calendars, or RO/ROO/CODE.

quick glance at PP, and you see manual wind watches, micro rotor automatics.
annual calendars of different dials, world timer, perpetual calendar chrono, travel time.

However, as a CEO, I'd know that all the different movements and watches cost money to develop, so I'd just continue to sit on my ass and make all the hype watches that people want, while selling them at a premium. white gold jumbo in salmon, black ceramic 41mm both for RO and ROC. Make a stainless steel CODE to allow more people to enter the brand.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by DonLee

There's quite the difference of being the CEO and being just a fan.

as a fan, I'd like them to have more variety of movements and watches.
right now it's just 3 hand/chrono/perpetual calendars, or RO/ROO/CODE.

That's true, if you ignore the minute repeaters, tourbillons, flying tourbillon chronograph, flying tourbillon GMT, double balance wheel (and the Concept line).

The OP asked an interesting question, but it's easy to turn it into a rundown of a personal wishlist. Like everyone else, I think a full ceramic 2- or 3-hander RO, the teased ceramic ROC or a new generation of ceramic case ROO chrono and diver would be great. But like an 5402 reproduction, that would be really low hanging fruit, if certainly welcome by many.

Really interesting challenges for the next CEO would be to evolve the Concept line into something a bit more mainstream (and wearable), to introduce a more dressy line that is still forward-looking and distinguished from other brands dress watches by more than the logo (like a slightly thinner/smaller CODE), and (maybe as grand prize) to establish a second line of sports-watches, a la Nautilus/Aquanaut. Overall, it should be about the future, not remixing past hits.

[supernova]

I believe the next CEO will introduce a new line, which I personally would too as I feel it is needed. I think the Code project has run it's course and they need to admit it will never take off like the RO ( I do like a couple of Codes).

[DonLee]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

That's true, if you ignore the minute repeaters, tourbillons, flying tourbillon chronograph, flying tourbillon GMT, double balance wheel (and the Concept line).

Yeah, these models take up a lot of space on their website, being at the top of every page, but in reality, all the models you mentioned probably account for less than 2% of their watch sales and reserved for their very elite VIP/whales.

At the end, i don't blame them. I mean, Rolex doesn't really have dress watch variety either, nor do they have much movement options despite their sheer volume of sales and profits.

[edo]

RO line - add new dual time based on 39mm owl. Produce more black ceramic models. Bring back AP logo, but this is gone by now and only used on Jumbo...

ROO line - make it fun again like in time of limited edition models based on F1 and automotive industry... keep the ROO essence with little touches like the Music edition... I don't like very much that one but effort and little things on dial, crown guards, straps are very appreciated... not just change the dial color/case materials strategy for ROO line...

Code line - hire Grand Seiko dial designers, introduce steel models.

Concept - 40mm size.

Classic collection - again hire GS dial designers, bring back the perpetual calendars in that case...

[thekman]

As previously mentioned AP's line up is severely lacking a classic dress watch line and some complications.

I would release a classic dress watch line sort of like the Jules Audemars but hopefully more interesting. I own a Code and love it but it surely isn't a dress watch.

I would release dual time complications both the RO and Code lines.

I would release a star wheel remaster or just release it in the Code line.

[ts3]

All-black ceramic 16202 (or preferably 15202). Where can I sell some body parts? LOL

[fspfsp]

Both a 41mm RO and 43mm ROO Dual Time/GMT

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by edo

Code line - hire Grand Seiko dial designers, introduce steel models.

Classic collection - again hire GS dial designers, bring back the perpetual calendars in that case...

As long as they leave the guy who likes that Cuckoo Clock font at home.

[911AP]

bring back the carbon watches.....or at least move to NPT like RM...

[HMHM]

Honestly, even as a new CEO, what can he/she do?
The RO is basically the face of the brand, can much be changed? Doubt it. Probably more materials but otherwise it is going to be pretty much the same.
CODE redesign? I wish they would admit that the first generation 3 hander dial is a flop and just redesign them. Maybe reduce the size to 39mm but with the same case construction (that's a real beauty for me with regards to the CODE line).

But if there's one thing I hope the new CEO will do after FHB's departure - QUIT THE CONSTANT CELEBRITY EGO MASSAGING! It's fine to have celebrity endorsement. RM, Rolex do them all the time. But there's a fine line between advertisement and blatant bias towards celebrities who get favours just due to their status. Forget JM, KH, JayZ etc. Those deserves their allocation. But some of them clearly don't deserve what they are getting just for the purpose of flexing.

[Pw92676]

Id add Equation of Time complication to Code line then change the dial on code time only. Then is scrap the reMaster, add a few more RO/ROO then reintroduce the Jules catalogue

[texasmade]

From a new watch perspective, definitely do something to the 3 hand CODE since that's a dog. I'm not sure how I would design it but I wouldn't leave it in it's current design. AP needs to do something on the basic 3 hander that's not a RO or ROO.

Originally Posted by HMHM

But if there's one thing I hope the new CEO will do after FHB's departure - QUIT THE CONSTANT CELEBRITY EGO MASSAGING! It's fine to have celebrity endorsement. RM, Rolex do them all the time. But there's a fine line between advertisement and blatant bias towards celebrities who get favours just due to their status. Forget JM, KH, JayZ etc. Those deserves their allocation. But some of them clearly don't deserve what they are getting just for the purpose of flexing.

100% this. Seems like every single celeb/pro athlete with a big IG following gets whatever AP they want.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by texasmade

100% this. Seems like every single celeb/pro athlete with a big IG following gets whatever AP they want.

Not much different than for any hot PP, RM, Rolex etc.

[RiRi]

Originally Posted by texasmade

AP needs to do something on the basic 3 hander that's not a RO or ROO.

Fully agree - they've been a one trick pony for too long and it is all about the hype ... Having a solid alternative to the RO which people don't have to pretend to like just to get on the list for the hot piece ...

[Mighty_Kraken]

Originally Posted by DonLee

There's quite the difference of being the CEO and being just a fan.

as a fan, I'd like them to have more variety of movements and watches.
right now it's just 3 hand/chrono/perpetual calendars, or RO/ROO/CODE.

Yes certainly. When I created this thread my initial idea was what one would release as fan (so money making not so much in focus).

Originally Posted by Pw92676

Id add Equation of Time complication to Code line then change the dial on code time only. Then is scrap the reMaster, add a few more RO/ROO then reintroduce the Jules catalogue

reMaster series has a lot of potential if you look at the history of AP but the reinterpretation in form of 01 as a miss due to some details imho.

Equation of time in combination for the Code line with an interesting dial would be awesone. I mean the perpetual calender design is really nice. However the dial of the simple 3 hander could be more interesting as many pointed out... Unfortunately the current CEO can't admit it.

[HMHM]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Not much different than for any hot PP, RM, Rolex etc.

Which is true. Essentially a lot of celebrities have more or less the same watches - RM, Nautilus, Aquanauts, Royal Oaks and Daytona. The difference is that AP has a tendency to allocate pieces to celebrities way too often. For example, there was a thread here not too long ago whereby a celebrity got a rainbow double balance wheel open worked. And honestly I have no clue who that person even is and that person isn't exactly known to be a watch enthusiast. So why in the world is he allocated that watch? It seems like if someone is a celebrity, AP gives them too much leeway in terms of hot watches allocation.

I get that being a celebrity has it perks and demanding equal treatment is foolish. But don't make the bias so blatant that it rubs customers the wrong way. Brands can have their set of celebrities to endorse. Rolex and RM have so many partners and its nice to see all these stars have something cool on their wrists. I enjoy seeing RF wearing a gem set Daytona to Wimbledon or seeing Nadal/Leclerc wearing the RM35-02. Great advertisement for them. I myself am very fascinated with RM after seeing them on the wrist of Leclerc's wrist! That's the power of marketing. But at the same time, its great to know that huge celebrities like Drake still need to buy a diamond bezel green 5711 from Avi and Co or Mayweather needing to buy a RM from them. It shows that brands do treat customers *slightly* more equal and gives customers hope of acquiring a great watch rather than leaving people resigning to the fact that they aren't getting anything because they aren't somebody.

[TunaTuna]

Originally Posted by Knoxx

LOL.. nice one + Arnold

Yes Ahhhhhnold

[TheMethod]

A classic line with complications. I would hire Jaeger Le Coultre designers.

[911AP]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Which is true. Essentially a lot of celebrities have more or less the same watches - RM, Nautilus, Aquanauts, Royal Oaks and Daytona. The difference is that AP has a tendency to allocate pieces to celebrities way too often. For example, there was a thread here not too long ago whereby a celebrity got a rainbow double balance wheel open worked. And honestly I have no clue who that person even is and that person isn't exactly known to be a watch enthusiast. So why in the world is he allocated that watch? It seems like if someone is a celebrity, AP gives them too much leeway in terms of hot watches allocation.

I get that being a celebrity has it perks and demanding equal treatment is foolish. But don't make the bias so blatant that it rubs customers the wrong way. Brands can have their set of celebrities to endorse. Rolex and RM have so many partners and its nice to see all these stars have something cool on their wrists. I enjoy seeing RF wearing a gem set Daytona to Wimbledon or seeing Nadal/Leclerc wearing the RM35-02. Great advertisement for them. I myself am very fascinated with RM after seeing them on the wrist of Leclerc's wrist! That's the power of marketing. But at the same time, its great to know that huge celebrities like Drake still need to buy a diamond bezel green 5711 from Avi and Co or Mayweather needing to buy a RM from them. It shows that brands do treat customers *slightly* more equal and gives customers hope of acquiring a great watch rather than leaving people resigning to the fact that they aren't getting anything because they aren't somebody.

This man is preaching facts.....

[GB-man]

I would release a 39mm ceramic diver. Would wear like 41.

[DonLee]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Which is true. Essentially a lot of celebrities have more or less the same watches - RM, Nautilus, Aquanauts, Royal Oaks and Daytona. The difference is that AP has a tendency to allocate pieces to celebrities way too often.

The thing is, AP is now in-house. So the sales of its watches are in the interest of the brand. If you were to sell a hot item, for retail price, would you sell it to a nobody who puts this watch into a safe forever, or would you sell it to someone who has a million instagram followers? Selling it to the celebrity is free advertising.

At PP, it's nowhere as worst because most watches are sold at the AD level, and the AD's interest is for itself, and not for the brand. The exception is the TIffany 5711. That was obviously a marketing ploy. So consequently, only mega celebrities got the watch.

VC is moving from an AD system to an in-house boutique style. So they will start selling more watches to celebs too.

Rolex has no direct connection with its customers, aside for those who apply for rainbow daytonas. Rolex will not request who to recieve a olive green day-date.