First AP - 26331ST Blue vs. 26331IP

[SSA]

Deciding on purchasing my first AP and have the option to pick up either the Blue steel chrono or the titanium "limited edition" IP.

I like the look of the Blue 26331 but wonder if I will regret not picking up a limited edition watch. While I like the blue dial, there are likely other watches with blue dials that I will end up acquiring in coming years...is the IP's dial color unique enough to go for that now?

Love to hear thoughts of those who may have gone through similar decision...

Thank you.

[benlee]

There is quite a bit of price differential between the two. If I''m not wrong, the IP version is nearly double the price of the ST version. Does that factor into your decision making process? If not, then the IP version is the nicer watch. And this is from someone that owns the 26331ST blue. Just make sure you can live with the polished Pt bezel building scratches over time.

[SSA]

It is $12k more for the IP, which is a factor in that I could always put that money towards another watch, etc. Trying to see if it is $12k nicer :)

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by benlee

There is quite a bit of price differential between the two. If I''m not wrong, the IP version is nearly double the price of the ST version. Does that factor into your decision making process? If not, then the IP version is the nicer watch. And this is from someone that owns the 26331ST blue. Just make sure you can live with the polished Pt bezel building scratches over time.

I agree. I also own the blue. It is very good looking and honestly wouldn't put extra money in a ROC above the blue's price. The reason is that it has a relatively older movement which is not in house and closed case back. These factors make it somehow inferior (if that is the right word) to other high end chronographs from top brands like patek and Lange...etc. Hence wouldn't invest much on special editions or PM variants of that watch until they fix these matters. But overall it is absolutely stunning watch and IMHO the steel blue strikes the best balance between design, brand value and cost (as compared to a crazy price of grey market for a steel Daytona).

Just my humble opinion and could be wrong

[rikobo]

Hope you don't mind me asking questions in your thread ...

Is there any reason why AP ROC does not have a display case back like a 15400?
Have been considering getting a blue 26331ST as well but just holding back a little bit.
I somehow feel that watches in this price range should have an open case back for us to admire the inner workings of the watch

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by rikobo

Hope you don't mind me asking questions in your thread ...

Is there any reason why AP ROC does not have a display case back like a 15400?
Have been considering getting a blue 26331ST as well but just holding back a little bit.
I somehow feel that watches in this price range should have an open case back for us to admire the inner workings of the watch

The ROC does not have a display back because its not a complete in-house movement... They usually don't want to display another brand's movement

I really like the blue dial ROC.. it looks really nice in person and love the subdials on it

[AK797]

I would go for the IP.

[ragsk]

IP gets my vote. You have to see it person if you haven't. Really is visually stunning.

[SSA]

Thank you all for your advise! I ended up getting the 26331st in Blue and the 15400 in White. The 15400 ships tomorrow so very excited to get that! The blue should arrive in the next couple of months.

For those interested, London boutique has the 26331 IP available now if anybody is searching for it.

Glad to have joined the AP owners club :)

[ragsk]

Congratulations OP - two great watches.

Obviously biased but I love the IP. The light reflection is so gorgeous. You go to a dimly lit restaurant and it just pops in such a majestic manner. I was sat in the Churchill bar recently and to me at least it was mesmerising. Like a subtle disco ball if there us such a thing

Very different I think from a SS ROC. I saw a guy on the London subway wearing a white dial SS ROC. It looked totally gorgeous too but much more matt than mine and less reflective. There is a substantial difference in look - the IP will get more attention than the SS for sure but as we know thats not always a good thing.

[Gentadesign]

Originally Posted by SSA

Thank you all for your advise! I ended up getting the 26331st in Blue and the 15400 in White. The 15400 ships tomorrow so very excited to get that! The blue should arrive in the next couple of months.

For those interested, London boutique has the 26331 IP available now if anybody is searching for it.

Glad to have joined the AP owners club :)

Congratulations on your new watch 👏 Do you know the UK retail for the 26331 IP?

[SC11]

Originally Posted by Gentadesign

Congratulations on your new watch 👏 Do you know the UK retail for the 26331 IP?

It’s now £32,300

[Gentadesign]

Originally Posted by SC11

It’s now £32,300

Thanks 👍