Sub C and Royal Oak

[herbalt]

I wanted to get some feedback from other members:

I own a Sub C that I wear daily, and it's my only nice watch. I have some extra cash and I'm looking at either adding a PAM, or selling/trading the sub for a AP Royal Oak (love this watch). Because I'm not really interested in starting a real "collection", and I like the idea of having one really good piece that I can wear daily and for years and years… I'm considering the "upgrade" to the Royal Oak.

I realize the AP is in a different horological category than the sub. I love the look and feel of the AP on my wrist (only at an AD so far however), and I could definitely see wearing a 15400 or 15300 daily for a long time. I can see it replacing the sub on my wrist.

My question is about the feasibility of the AP as a daily wearer. In terms of robustness, water-resistance, fragility. I know it's not as bulletproof as a sub, but it looks and feels like I wouldn't have any problems wearing it the same way. I work at a desk, I don't dive, and I hardly swim. The sub is on my wrist 24/7… I rarely take it off even to shower. Will I be able to feel the same way with the AP? Servicing costs aside, can the RO serve my purpose the same way as the sub for a few decades?

As I said, I'm not interested in owning a Sub AND an RO. It's either or. If I were to keep the sub, I might add a PAM to change things up on some days but it wouldn't be the start of a larger collection.

Thoughts?

[brian8121]

The Royal Oak isn't what I would call fragile, but it's a bit of a scratch magnet, particularly on/around the bezel (polished and brushed parts). If you're OK with that, I think you'll be very happy with an RO as a daily wearer.

(If it were me, I would keep the Sub and add a Royal Oak later, but as you said that's not your preference.)

[Darlinboy]

Much as I love my daily driver 15300, the SubC is my go-to watch for most non-office environments. IMO it is better suited for rougher treatment than the RO.

If I could have only one, the SubC would be my choice.

[thomaspp]

Always the hard questions...

I just picked up an 15400, so I can't speak for the long term wear. It certainly does feel like a sturdy piece (more so than my Daytona for example) and am loving it. On the other hand my sub has been with me on many adventures and has certainly taken all I've thrown its way. It would be hard to have a better "one watch only". Not a fan of the PAMs.

[Chulo]

Tough call. The sub can take such a beating, whereas the RO is a scratch magnet. I put a small scratch in my 15202 while grilling a few weekends ago, and I'm still upset about it, whereas my sub has quite a few, and it doesn't bother me. That said, the RO is a very special watch, and the cool factor of wearing something that everyone and their brother doesn't recognize is pricelss.

[Soly20]

I am not sure if an AP RO would qualify as a daily wearer, in every condition. Meaning, you can wear your AP RO to work everyday (provided you have a "safe" office job) and at night when you are going to a dinner or so. Otherwise, BBQ, playing with kids in the yard and other "rough" activities its not suitable, though doable if you are a careful kind of person.

AP RO: A sexy Sports car.
Sub: All Terrain SUV

[lig]

I would say that a RO would be up to the job.

They do show scratches though. My 15300 has a bit of "character" now that really bothered me at first but now - no big deal.

[ticketmaster123]

I have a Sub OP and 2 months ago bought an AP Diver...

I have not worn the Sub since and have worn the Diver everyday - and it still doesn't have a mark on it.

That being said, I am VERY careful with my possessions (naturally, I can't help it).

If you are a careful type of person I would upgrade to AP and happily wear it everyday.

At the end of a day its just a watch - what's the worst than can happen to it?

If you do bang your Sub around and don't worry at all then yes, the AP will show the wear a little more (because its edges are so sharp)... but what's cooler than a banged up AP?

[Dino944]

An AP RO 15300 or 15400 should be able to handle daily wear. Although, they are not as water resistant as your Sub and the Sub's finish is better at hiding scratches. The RO is a very versatile watch, in that it looks great with casual clothes and it looks great with a suit also.

I probably would not subject an AP RO to the same abuse I might subject a Sub to, not because the RO can't handle it, but because I tend to treat my more expensive items better. I don't drive my nice sports cars in snow, salt/sand...but my everyday car I drive no matter what the conditions are.

I don't really see the point of adding a PAM if you keep your Sub. Both are sports watches, and maybe a bit redundant. You really have not added any diversity/versatility to what you own if you only have a Sub C and a PAM.

[travisb]

a 15400 or 15300 would definately be up for the task.
It doesn't sound like you're that rough on watches.
Yes the RO will show more scratches, but will remain beautiful regardless.
I have a friend who wears a Jumbo 15202 as an everyday watch for over 5 years now and he does NOT baby his watches. There's plenty of hairlines, swirlies etc, but I think it's still amazing looking. Lots of character (wish I had a pic).
Good luck! Sounds like you might be ready for the jump.

[Tony-GB]

The Submariner and Submariner date has it's history as a tool watch. As a working piece of equipment. As times have changed and more people become aware of high end watches (yes- I consider Rolex to be high end) and can afford these things, the Submariner has evolved beautifully and become a little softer but it's origins, it's pedigree, is still very much evident. It has a reputation as being a hard bastard for a reason- it can take some abuse!!

The Royal Oak was launched into a particular price bracket- and clientele- from the very beginning. It was never designed to be a "tool" watch. A working tool, if you like, therefore it's initial design will always be flawed in some respects. The market for the RO were executives and/or the wealthy. When it's price was announced people were shocked that a steel watch could cost so much. Over the years, it too has evolved with slightly tougher compositions and there have been developments in silicones (the AP's silicone is often referred to as rubber, but it's not).

AP are continuing their quest to develop new materials (see Cermet compositions) and in time I suspect cases, or at least bezels, will be this material.

There are many AP owners who wear their 15300's all the time as a Rolex owner would wear a Submariner, without hardly any damage.

A RO will take anything you throw at it without much sign of damage unless you work on an oil rig. In which case you should get a Submariner. or a TW Steel...

[TSW]

I wear all my AP's as daily drivers!

[GarageBMW]

Originally Posted by TSW

I wear all my AP's as daily drivers!

X2

15300 as daily driver and simply love it. All the other watches are sitting at the bank safe for a bit more than 1 month now. The only thing I can see that would make me not wear the 15300 is another AP, a Patek or a Lange, but again, this is just me.

[cdnyc]

Originally Posted by brian8121

The Royal Oak isn't what I would call fragile, but it's a bit of a scratch magnet, particularly on/around the bezel (polished and brushed parts). If you're OK with that, I think you'll be very happy with an RO as a daily wearer.

(If it were me, I would keep the Sub and add a Royal Oak later, but as you said that's not your preference.)

x2

Only thing I'd add is that AP will change you from thinking that you're a 1-watch guy.

[Rolex Freak]

Daily.

[B. Doggy]

No bad decision regardless of what you do. Good luck!

[Submarino]

Great daily wearers! Watches are meant to be worn. Just look at the big scratch on my ROO.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[Hairdude1]

Awesome pics Hal

[neoh4x]

I am very new to AP, but everyone talks about their RO being a scratch magnet. Isn't this negated when the watch gets polished, say from a service for example?

[yessir69]

Really informative thread.

[kilyung]

IMO ROs are more special than Rolexes and can be used daily.

[cdnyc]

Originally Posted by neoh4x

I am very new to AP, but everyone talks about their RO being a scratch magnet. Isn't this negated when the watch gets polished, say from a service for example?

yes. haven't had one of mine serviced yet, but there are many threads about how wonderful a job AP service center does polishing -- makes them look brand new. after half a year my ROC still looks like new, so I think it's not going to be hard to keep it in good condition in between servicing. and 100% worth it for the AP beauty.

[jvo300]

I don't think APs are more prone to scratches than Rolex. It's just that a scratch will likely attract your eye more on an AP because the finishing is so amazingly perfect. That said, there's no reason you can't wear an AP everyday unless you just are careless in which case I recommend a Gshock. Here are a few more pics of my AP and SubC -- I love both!

[descartes]

I have a GMT II and a RO15300.

The GMT was my daily wearer for many, many years and still looks brand new despite the beating it's taken.

I have been wearing the RO daily (and carefully) for the last couple of months since I got it BNIB.

The RO is a scratch magnet. I have no dents or dings, but, for e.g., the simple act of reaching into your pocket will result in fine scratches (or worse) because the watch is so finely polished and the edges are so sharp. It looks so perfect when new, I already feel inclined to send it back to AP for a polishing.

If you want to wear the RO 24/7 it will show wear. The Sub is better suited for that purpose (unless the wear does't bother you).

All that said, I would definitely get the RO instead of the PAM. It is a better and more versatile watch. The PAM, like the Sub, is a sports watch. The RO can be casual oe dressy. I 15300 can be purchased for not much more than a PAM and it is such a superior piece IMO.

[thomaspp]

Let's take a closer look at these two, shall we??





She's nice...



and she seems to be just a little nicer...

[brady]

I wear a 15300 daily and love it. I am more careful with it than I was a Sub but that doesn't stop me from enjoying it daily.

[wisguy]

Go for it, I used to own a couple of AP's (Diver and 15300) and had to sell them, only really miss the 15300.

A very usable watch that can dress up or down and for sure a daily driver, and at least to me one of the best watch designs ever.



Still own the SubC and still long for the 15300.

[vman]

Anything that involves dangerous elements or unintentional contact with strong impacts calls for a watch that is neither a Submariner nor a Royal Oak. I know that the marketing folks at Rolex want us to believe otherwise, but most of us can see through the smoke of carefully spent advertising dollars.

With this in mind, go get yourself a Royal Oak. It is a truly beautiful watch that will hug your wrist and bring many smiles. And forget about a Panerai.

[herbalt]

Thanks so much for all the great replies. I can't say it's making my decision any easier, but it's helped me think about it better. My daily lifestyle is so laughably not close to rough, that either watch would be just fine for daily wear. I'm very careful with watches, so I'm not worried about marring a RO so badly that it quickly becomes an eyesore. Scratches will happen on any watch that is worn, so really I think it will come down to whether I want to wear a Sub or a RO more right now. And I think the prediction is right that whatever one I have at the moment, I'll have to get the other one down the line.

[andyboy39]

I think it rests in the individuals hands, if said person is careful and sensible any watch can be worn as a daily piece, common sense is the key...