AP Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Exhibition - Hong Kong

[youthagainsttt]

Just got back from the VIP opening of the 50th Anniversary event in Hong Kong

I have to say the location isn't great and spent around half an hour walking round the park in the sun and finally found it. It's quite an awkward location and I was chatting to some of the other visitors about it as well

Great to see the old pieces, novelties and lovely pocket watch too. Staff and the other visitors all very friendly but I have to say the experience kind of was disappointing. With the AP art exhibition last year there was a lounge where you could get drinks, canapés and relax. This year there was nothing and we were just led away and given that you need to walk quite a way, even if there's no lounge it would have been thoughtful to offer something, even a bottle of water, chat more with the staff, try some pieces or network. I went to the art exhibition twice last year, because I enjoyed it so much and wanna take more pics. But this year, even though I booked a 2nd timeslot I won't be visiting again

[fspfsp]

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by fspfsp

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

Thanks mate! Still have more, just need to pick them out

[youthagainsttt]

Just had to pick out these 2 watches - especially the pocket watch which was stunning and never seen this in person before. Enjoy guys

[GW44]

Thanks for sharing…….more pics please

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by GW44

Thanks for sharing…….more pics please

These were some of the best! Would be quite interested to know others views who also went to the exhibition

[DonLee]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

These were some of the best! Would be quite interested to know others views who also went to the exhibition

I like how there were all the news clippings and stuff as easter eggs inside the drawers, and it was nice to see some of the museum pieces. Putting together the case with the hexagonal screws was cool too.

But to be honest, i felt there could have been more details about the watch evolution. It was mostly the originals, and then the latest ones. They could have had something like... oh this is the first ceramic royal oak, this is the first openwork, the first grand complications... titanium, etc.

instead most of the space was dedicated for photo op's for social media, imo, and not about the watches.

[conkers]

They didn’t ask to borrow any of my special pieces for it. Very strange! The dinner after the special opening on 16th was extremely good - it was a really professionally run evening with some extremely serious people there!

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by DonLee

I like how there were all the news clippings and stuff as easter eggs inside the drawers, and it was nice to see some of the museum pieces. Putting together the case with the hexagonal screws was cool too.

But to be honest, i felt there could have been more details about the watch evolution. It was mostly the originals, and then the latest ones. They could have had something like... oh this is the first ceramic royal oak, this is the first openwork, the first grand complications... titanium, etc.

instead most of the space was dedicated for photo op's for social media, imo, and not about the watches.

I think that’s what the museum is for in Switzerland!

Originally Posted by conkers

They didn’t ask to borrow any of my special pieces for it. Very strange! The dinner after the special opening on 16th was extremely good - it was a really professionally run evening with some extremely serious people there!

Speaking of museums, when does the Conkers pop up exhibition open?

[conkers]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Speaking of museums, when does the Conkers pop up exhibition open?

I did discuss doing something with AP about 3-4 years back, and then Covid hit.......

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by DonLee

I like how there were all the news clippings and stuff as easter eggs inside the drawers, and it was nice to see some of the museum pieces. Putting together the case with the hexagonal screws was cool too.

But to be honest, i felt there could have been more details about the watch evolution. It was mostly the originals, and then the latest ones. They could have had something like... oh this is the first ceramic royal oak, this is the first openwork, the first grand complications... titanium, etc.

instead most of the space was dedicated for photo op's for social media, imo, and not about the watches.

That is true, overall I just felt it was missing something and it was a bit of a lost opportunity. Even down to the SA's, none of them really introduce themselves, they may assume we all have existing SA's as it was the VIP day but compared to other watch events I've been to it was a bit average. In the past year I've been to those from Breguet, JLT, Cartier, VC and sometimes it's the little details that count

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

These were some of the best! Would be quite interested to know others views who also went to the exhibition

Me too, would be v interested to know other's experience as well. I heard this exhibition was fully booked or close to for the other days

[mazai]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

That is true, overall I just felt it was missing something and it was a bit of a lost opportunity. Even down to the SA's, none of them really introduce themselves, they may assume we all have existing SA's as it was the VIP day but compared to other watch events I've been to it was a bit average. In the past year I've been to those from Breguet, JLT, Cartier, VC and sometimes it's the little details that count

I went and also felt something was missing too…overall for me, the experience was good, but not great. Got to see some great pieces and grails I’ve only seen online. I agree with you on the SAs not introducing themselves, most of them just stood around and smiled, definitely not much conversation.
Also, on a personal taste, I didn’t really like the whole dark vibe, just felt like if they had a nice bright entrance to the exhibition and brighter appearance it would make it feel more inviting, social and interactive.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by mazai

I went and also felt something was missing too…overall for me, the experience was good, but not great. Got to see some great pieces and grails I’ve only seen online. I agree with you on the SAs not introducing themselves, most of them just stood around and smiled, definitely not much conversation.
Also, on a personal taste, I didn’t really like the whole dark vibe, just felt like if they had a nice bright entrance to the exhibition and brighter appearance it would make it feel more inviting, social and interactive.

Thanks, totally agree with you on that. And what was really the point of the room with the piano and fabric above it?