Is 26331 blue dial still a worthy buy now

[Johnnie Peh]

Hi guys.. Would like to hear what your thoughts are on paying USD59k for a brand new 2021 Royal Oak 26331 in blue dial at this very moment.. Am ready to take some bashing 😂..

[macrowatch]

Nope!!!!!!

I love the watch, but at that price point, I'd buy a 519LN Oysterflex Daytona, a time only code, and parlay that time only code into...you guessed it, a ROC.

[Locust]

No. It’s my only AP. Love it. But no way. Msrp. Not a cent more.

[HMHM]

I think a lot of people are trying to dispose their 26331 as the new ROC has launched with in-house movement recently albeit in RG metal. The in-house chrono movement will likely be trickled down to the SS variant by next year if you can wait. It’s slightly thicker but better symmetry and sapphire caseback.

The risk is that the F Piguet ROC may turn out like the Zenith Daytona. Though personally I don’t see the appeal of the 26331 due to the date window asymmetry and the caseback.

[Johnnie Peh]

Thank you everyone for your honest opinions.. ������ Especially like what HMHM mentioned how it may turn out to be on the same route as the Zeinth Daytona's

[7sins]

I've owned the 26331st twice now yet still favor my 26320st blue and save you $10k. No contest for me.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Johnnie Peh

Hi guys.. Would like to hear what your thoughts are on paying USD59k for a brand new 2021 Royal Oak 26331 in blue dial at this very moment.. Am ready to take some bashing ��..

I have a 26331 Panda which I intend to keep, and I don't necessarily think give me MSRP or give me death, but at $59k things are getting out of hand. I'd rather have an VC overseas chrono for half or a pink gold/blue dial three hander for the same price if I actually looking for a watch to wear. As an "investment", this would be highly speculative at best, IMO.

[AperolSpritz]

I own the 26331 blue dial so you could say am biased.

I was thinking about adding a RG chrono to the collection and couldn't make up my mind if I preferred the old or new ROC. But after seeing the new chrono in the flesh I am now certain I prefer the old version.

The open case back is a huge improvement, I acknowledge that but it comes with an extra thickness which is definitely noticeable and which is a real shame as the relative thinness of this watch (for a chrono) was one key appeal for me.

I also don't like the fact the 3 and 9 hours sub dial are too far apart now imho. And the cutting of the date looks very improvised.

At the end of the day to each his own. I guess what am trying to say is there will be two camps. Those who prefer the new and the those who stay loyal to the old, meaning there will be interest. And you can see that as the value of the watch keeps on increasing despite the recent announcements and understanding of the community a new SS ROC will eventually come.

Is it expensive? Yes it is. But that's what I was telling myself 2 years ago when I wanted to go grey for a SS Daytona or an aquanaut and since the value has doubled. If you like it, get it...

[Kittayos]

I still think this is a good piece to wear and invest. I have 2 of them and don't plan to sell them unless price reaches 70k. It's difficult to get one from boutique now. The new 26239or full gold fetches almost 130k. I don't see why this steel version will be any lower any time soon.

[macrowatch]

uh....@7sins I think all your talking up the 26320st has closed the 10k discount gap. I don't think it's there anymore.

@HMHM, I find it very interesting this dilemma of do you swap out old version for new version. But having now had a code for a while to expierence the case height, I'm with AperoSprtiz, the extra thickness is a major minus point for me vs the current ROC.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by HMHM

I think a lot of people are trying to dispose their 26331 as the new ROC has launched with in-house movement recently albeit in RG metal. The in-house chrono movement will likely be trickled down to the SS variant by next year if you can wait. It’s slightly thicker but better symmetry and sapphire caseback.

The risk is that the F Piguet ROC may turn out like the Zenith Daytona. Though personally I don’t see the appeal of the 26331 due to the date window asymmetry and the caseback.

If AP do make the rumoured changes to the Steel ROC for it's 25th anniversary next year I don't expect the current 26331 to fall in value or popularity given the scarcity of anything AP wise (plus Rolex etc) in the market currently......which will, I feel, continue well into next year.

In fact, supply wise, I believe things will actually get worse before they get any better for 2021-2022.

[7sins]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

uh....@7sins I think all your talking up the 26320st has closed the 10k discount gap. I don't think it's there anymore.

@HMHM, I find it very interesting this dilemma of do you swap out old version for new version. But having now had a code for a while to expierence the case height, I'm with AperoSprtiz, the extra thickness is a major minus point for me vs the current ROC.

Maybe I should talk about it more then haha. https://www.chrono24.com/audemarspig...id19560215.htm. I suspect this can be had for close to $50K and I believe production and certainly supply, is lower than the blue 26331st. Gap should continue to close!

[grievor]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I've owned the 26331st twice now yet still favor my 26320st blue and save you $10k. No contest for me.

Cheers to the 26320st

Perfectly balanced dial layout, full blue dial and subdials, centered date window, Fpiguet movement.

Nothing against the 26331st id love to have a blue one, used to be able to get them easily not so anymore, but thats the game these days, but this 26320st is definitely more special to me. Dont think many of these are floating around in the market. It was a time not everyone was that into AP's ROC. Only made from 2012 - 2016.

[7sins]

Originally Posted by grievor

Cheers to the 26320st

Perfectly balanced dial layout, full blue dial and subdials, centered date window, Fpiguet movement.

Nothing against the 26331st id love to have a blue one, used to be able to get them easily not so anymore, but thats the game these days, but this 26320st is definitely more special to me. Dont think many of these are floating around in the market. It was a time not everyone was that into AP's ROC. Only made from 2012 - 2016.

Congrats! Beautiful! Surprised these aren't trading above the 26331st, agree with you on all counts.

[grievor]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Congrats! Beautiful! Surprised these aren't trading above the 26331st, agree with you on all counts.

Everyone is so focused on the 26331 they are forgetting the 26320

Essentially same watch with the better dial layout (imho)

Great to see youre wearing yours instead, too beautiful to be a safe queen.

Cheers man! Hope things are going well in LA

[Xerxes77]

I have AP 26331 and I think like this: who want to have one to buy it now because introducing of new movement from next year will come together with a big scarcity and the price will go up……

[Tanuki]

Originally Posted by grievor

Cheers to the 26320st

Perfectly balanced dial layout, full blue dial and subdials, centered date window, Fpiguet movement.

Nothing against the 26331st id love to have a blue one, used to be able to get them easily not so anymore, but thats the game these days, but this 26320st is definitely more special to me. Dont think many of these are floating around in the market. It was a time not everyone was that into AP's ROC. Only made from 2012 - 2016.

You're exactly right. I've always thought all the ROC's were greatly overlooked and undervalued for the amazing pieces that they are

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by Xerxes77

I have AP 26331 and I think like this: who want to have one to buy it now because introducing of new movement from next year will come together with a big scarcity and the price will go up……

Do you mean that because the new coming ROC will be more rare with the new movement that that 26331ST will be lifted by the new model?

[grievor]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Do you mean that because the new coming ROC will be more rare with the new movement that that 26331ST will be lifted by the new model?

i think just dont expect them to be as easily obtainable as the the 26331st back in 2017 when they were first introduced, especially the blue dial. times have changed for AP, evident by the secondary market price and increased msrp on these pieces.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by Xerxes77

I have AP 26331 and I think like this: who want to have one to buy it now because introducing of new movement from next year will come together with a big scarcity and the price will go up……

The current 26331ST is £27,500 here in the UK and I can see any replacement along the lines discussed (in house movement/open case back etc) being at least 10% more…. maybe beginning with a ‘3’ price tag even.

And certainly not that easy to get early on in its life either.

[grievor]

Just one more wristshot for the weekend

[7sins]

Originally Posted by grievor

Just one more wristshot for the weekend

Looking great brother, congrats on such a beauty!