Thing to Consider Before Buying a Pre-Owned AP!!!

[yjfang]

Question on Warranty Transfer.

I bought a preowned 44MM Novelty from a friend who bought it new from an AD. Warranty dated Feb 2013 and with the 2 year standard warranty, I need to send the watch
in for pressure testing before Feb 2015 to get the warranty extended for another year right? And if any work needed to be done (during the original 2 year warranty period), the warranty would be extended an additional 2 years instead of 1?

I assume the warranty is transferable? And if so, do I need to contact APSC to change the name?

Thanks!

[lorsban]

RO 15300-15400 was kind of my grail for almost a decade. Been working on saving up for one until I saw service costs. 😨

I used to have a Breguet type xx that I had serviced in Singapore for about $1200. Granted it was after 7 years of ownership but that's a hefty chunk of change. Left a bad taste in my mouth so I eventually traded it.

The RO is probably the most beautifully designed watch I've ever seen. It just doesn't make me feel very confident to know that I have to pay $1-1300 every 5 years or so OR even more IF and when something goes wrong.

Guess I'm more a Toyota guy than a Ferrari/Lamborghini.

[lapince]

That's the problem with high end watches, servicing is very expensive, if at least it was always flawless ok, but it's far from always being the case, sometimes there are serious problems, worse than before it went to get serviced...

[lorsban]

Originally Posted by lapince

That's the problem with high end watches, servicing is very expensive, if at least it was always flawless ok, but it's far from always being the case, sometimes there are serious problems, worse than before it went to get serviced...

Yeah true. Cost of ownership and all that.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by lorsban

Yeah true. Cost of ownership and all that.

No, more like the watch comes back scratched, unrepaired or something was damaged during the intervention, don't know for AP, but just for example Panerai owners are legion to report incredible problems after servicing, ok Panerai isn't AP or Patek but they're not Tags, I have 3 limited editions, I am going to flip them for a few reasons and one of them being that I would go crazy if I serviced my Pam 82 (300 pieces on the regular LE, from 5 to 12 on the "shadow case watches" like the one I have) and it came back with a huge scratch…

[lorsban]

Originally Posted by lapince

No, more like the watch comes back scratched, unrepaired or something was damaged during the intervention, don't know for AP, but just for example Panerai owners are legion to report incredible problems after servicing, ok Panerai isn't AP or Patek but they're not Tags, I have 3 limited editions, I am going to flip them for a few reasons and one of them being that I would go crazy if I serviced my Pam 82 (300 pieces on the regular LE, from 5 to 12 on the "shadow case watches" like the one I have) and it came back with a huge scratch…

Oh ok! Yeah I suppose that could happen.

I had an Ebel BTR 1911 GMT that had a stripped crown. I had it repaired at the local authorized center and it was repaired but the power reserve went from 40 hours to 8.

I guess you have to research for good service centers as well.

Never had any such problems with Rolex.

[yjfang]

I ditched all of my Panerai's for a number of reasons, the service horror stories being one of them.

You won't have those kinds of issues with AP Service. They are the best in the industry in terms of attention to detail, turn around time, and customer service.

Originally Posted by lapince

No, more like the watch comes back scratched, unrepaired or something was damaged during the intervention, don't know for AP, but just for example Panerai owners are legion to report incredible problems after servicing, ok Panerai isn't AP or Patek but they're not Tags, I have 3 limited editions, I am going to flip them for a few reasons and one of them being that I would go crazy if I serviced my Pam 82 (300 pieces on the regular LE, from 5 to 12 on the "shadow case watches" like the one I have) and it came back with a huge scratch…

[robisan]

This has been helpful!

[FKruger]

I have two friends both AP owners love their watches and probably would like to buy more but service costs are too high to continue with ap

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by FKruger

I have two friends both AP owners love their watches and probably would like to buy more but service costs are too high to continue with ap

No higher than the other top brands.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by diver2012

no higher than the other top brands.

x2

[yjfang]

If Patek's service turnaround time could approach that of AP's, I would buy a lot more.

[Raffe]

Originally Posted by TSW

You can find the regular service rates at http://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/ser...ge=maintenance

A vintage AP overhaul completely different story.

AP seem to have removed the prices from their website. Does anybody have a recent price list which they could share?

Thanks for looking.

Raffe

[Husky boy]

True have the cash ready for a service.

If you by from a used handpiece don't expect any help if it stops working.

The 12 months warranty means zero!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dexvd]

Have been looking at YG/SS ROs for a while, after reading the thread I know the 5402 isn't right for me but I found some other references in 36mm and 39mm, that I was hoping wouldn't share the same issues.

The time zone 25730 and then the 36mm 4100, 14486, 14700 and the 14790.

Would the 4100 share the same issues as the 5402, do the reference numbers go consecutively making the 4 digit 4100 the earliest of the 36mms? I wish I had an AP AD nearby that I could walk into and pick their brains... None of the modern ROs have the grey dial, YG/SS combination that I love so I am forced to consider pre-owned unless something gets announced in the next year or two.

I am hoping to avoid the issues of no water resistance following service from AP and the crown that breaks off on the 5402 but other than that I think I can deal with the other issues that come with AP service. Do they allow you to decline cosmetic service as Rolex does? Can you say "Don't worry about the bezel and crystal, just service the movement?"

[As Ani]

very usefull :)
for a Hunter of a 15300 ;)

thanks

[Andreas420]

Good advice! Will probably sell my Royal Oak now
Don't want to pay a fortune for service! :)

[frankyb]

I've always admired the Royal Oak... hmmm. great post, great advice.

[kflo]

Great info, and a lesson I had to learn the hard way. :/

[Majin Buu]

Great post, has been very useful for me !

Cheers !

MB

[thehoracle]

Any of you 15300 hunters consider a newer 15400 or is there a reason you're stuck on the 15300? Other than the obvious case diameter, which I sort of prefer since I have a ~ 7" wrist.

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by thehoracle

Any of you 15300 hunters consider a newer 15400 or is there a reason you're stuck on the 15300? Other than the obvious case diameter, which I sort of prefer since I have a ~ 7" wrist.

The case diameter at 39 mm is a purist type of thing as the original Royal Oak Jumbo was launched as a 39 mm. Some people don't like the hash marker next to the date aperture on the 15400, as AP had to to that to accommodate the calibre 3120 in the larger case size and make it work with the dial configuration. While I prefer the 15300, I've also owned the 15400 at the same time and I loved the bigger wrist presence. I have a 7.25" and it wears just fine.

[beer]

yes good advice, been looking at buying a skeleton in the future , after checking out some used piecces , i came to the conclusion that it is probably better to accept i cannot afford it now and aspire to buy new at a later date , if cannot buy (any piece) without having to look for a deal that is a few thousand cheaper then probably cannot afford it either way

agree with your advice r.e. buying newer piece and saving future costs

[AP2013]

Thank you for sharing, great tips and advice

[daft]

Great read. I've read somewhere that APs in general are sensitive watches (e.g. Quick flicks of the wrist, anything involving high activities, etc.). Is this true?

[sueno213]

I wish I had read this post before my last purchase . Highly recommended reading

[Cclassics]

wow this is good info to know-- i rarely read FAQ on most forums--

i was shopping for a AP roo 44mm novelty and now i have to seriously consider it again--

i daily wear a rolex sub C- never had an issue- i know the 5 yr service can be 800 to 1k. thats fine but over 10 rolexes over the past 15 years and not once has there been any issues- the AP i "want" will sit quite a bit most likely so now im not sure if thats a wise choice to add to my collection--

[Daryl]

Originally Posted by yjfang

Question on Warranty Transfer.

I bought a preowned 44MM Novelty from a friend who bought it new from an AD. Warranty dated Feb 2013 and with the 2 year standard warranty, I need to send the watch
in for pressure testing before Feb 2015 to get the warranty extended for another year right? And if any work needed to be done (during the original 2 year warranty period), the warranty would be extended an additional 2 years instead of 1?

I assume the warranty is transferable? And if so, do I need to contact APSC to change the name?

Thanks!

whats the answer to this? thanks

[Jthiede1]

Originally Posted by TSW

Yes Dan, You can register your watch on audemarspiguet.com and receive the sticker, Then wait until almost 2 years and send your watch and sticker to Clearwater Service Center for the extended warranty

And yes send it in regardless!

This is great info. I am looking at an AP ROO ST 25721 from a friend of a friend. It's an E series with no service papers or warranty and looks like it was purchased in 2003 originally. He bought it from a dealer ad it's in pristine condition. Anything specific I need to watch out for? When do you think it will have to be serviced if it came from a dealer?

[Catsgomeowmeow]

Thank you for your post Submarino.
I wanted the RO 15400 really bad and even though your post is great, it has put me off of pulling the trigger. The finances aren't the problem, but reading the comments I got the impression that the RO is a "sports watch" that could not even survive a quick twist of the wrist. I'm kind of heart broken since I really looked forward to owning one.

Do you think the offshore diver is more robust than the 15400?