DSLR Shots of my AP Royal Oak Jumbo 15202

[benlee]

As usual, my most beautiful timepiece gets the royal DSLR shot treatment. What it means? Well, vast majority of my watch pics are taken using my trusty Samsung Galaxy Smartphone. Just point and shoot and the pics most of the time they turn out very nice. So there is really no need to dust off my big and clumsy Nikon. Right?

Just see the Jumbo Appreciation thread! http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=356146

Actually, it's because I am lazy and I can't be bothered to whip out my Nikon D5100 DSLR, setup my tripod and adjust all the settings etc to get the perfect shot.

However, one thing a camera phone can't do is to duplicate a DSLR camera in capturing all the tiny details that make our watches special. Especially under a macro lens like my Nikkor 105mm. So a serious photo shoot still calls for me to bring out my best camera. I finally found the energy and time today to do that again in a rainy Saturday afternoon here.

So it here goes, the Jumbo 15202 40th anniversary edition.




Background.





The original Royal Oak 5402 Jumbo was first launched by AP in 1972. It is the first sporty sports watch that used stainless steel as a precious and noble metal and with a price tag more expensive than gold watches at that time. The decision to use a 39mm dial was unusual for that time where men’s watches were still overwhelming of the size 34 to 36mm, hence the name “Jumbo”. Strangely, the watch did not do so well during the early days but rapidly gained momentum and become a classic in subsequent years. To this day, the Royal Oak remains the main “pillar” product line of Audemars Piguet.

In 2012, AP re-launched the Jumbo with the 40th anniversary edition that pays tribute to the original Royal Oak and faithfully maintain all the details and proportions of the original Jumbo 5402 but with the benefit of a display caseback that shows off the ultra thin 2121 historic movement.





The Dial





The dial features the tradition AP logo at 6 o’clock, white gold applied hands and the Petite Tapisserie patterns. Tapisserie is a special dial treatment that engraves tiny squares and patterns on the dial. What’s makes it so special especially for the Jumbo is that under a microscope, one can see the pattern is not uniformly embossed but engraved using a specialized engraving tool and consist of squares, rectangles and trapezoidal shapes. That is the reason why the Jumbo’s dial can take on so many interesting colors and shades depending on surrounding light and even the angle where it is viewed upon. One moment the dial is a deep shade of grey, and in an instant, a deep rich blue hue.

I was fortunate to have visit La Brassus last July during which the head of the dial processing workshop Mr Marc Ferland explained to me how the dial was made. It was far from a simple automated movement and requires careful adjustment and calibrations to achieved the desired patterns. The quality control on the dial is so stringent that rejection rates can be as high as 50% at times, if they don’t meet AP’s acceptable standards. I still recalled those timeless words that Mr Ferland told me during the visit where he explained why the dial was still made with this traditional technique instead of being automated and embossed by machines. The answer “Embossing by automation will make the dial perfect, but it is not beautiful”. How true!

Here’s a picture of the dial manufacturing process I took during my factory visit.



Perhaps a better idea would be to view this youtube video from AP and let the Maestro explained it himself :




Here’s more DSLR photos of the 15202 magnificent dial :














The Case and bracelet



It is impossible not to recognize a Royal Oak by the bracelet. With alternating links and the intricate weave of brushed, polished surfaces, the mere act of turning your wrist while wearing this Royal Oak turns it into a light show.









The case integrates seamlessly with the bracelet allowing light to dance on the surfaces of the watch. AP art of finishing is perfected even when the material is the humble stainless steel. For most other timepiece, I will prefer the precious metal version such as gold or platinum, cost aside. But for the Jumbo, I personally think that Jumbo must be in stainless steel as it was originally designed and intended by it’s creator.














The Movement


Under my Nikon microlens, the sheer beauty of the movement is finally revealed in quite mesmerizing fashion. Audemars Piguet artisans when creating the watch has merticulously decorate this movement and add a very nicely crafted 22K gold rotor that bears the AP logo. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. They do a much better job than my cumbersome words.


























In Summary....





To me, the AP Royal Oak Jumbo is hands down the most perfect stainless steel watch ever made. Yes, ever made. Designed by the late Gerard Genta in 1972, the legendary watch designer, the proportions of this watch are so well designed, it is pure geometrical and aesthetic perfection. It is hard to improve upon this and future design variations from AP like the 15300 and 15400 still cannot be compared to the original in beauty and form. Furthermore, the use of stainless steel as an exotic material for watches was unheard of at that time. It was by all means a ground breaking timepiece and the crowning achievement of Gerard Genta and remains so until today. It is a real pleasure to own this timepiece .


Hope you enjoy this post!

Footnote : All pictures taken with Nikon D5100 DSLR camera fitted with a Nikkor 105mm microlens. Pictures touchup in Picasa

[Ots]

Wow! Such great photography! I enjoyed reading it ben! This thread just cemented my decision to go for the jumbo!

The detailed shot of that bracelet is fantastic! And that movement is a killer!
Where is my best bet to finding this piece here in Asia? Local AD has no chance of bringing this in.

Congrats on that piece!

Regards,

Edward

[orangedial]

Bravo! What a review of this timeless creation by Genta
The macro shots are incredible, buddy!

"… most perfect stainless steel watch ever made"…
Indeed!

[HL65]

Superb Ben absolutely amazing!

[B. Doggy]

Wowza...

[subtona]

Ben,
Fantastic on all counts!!!
Thanks for posting those brilliant photos and review ....
Of course I concur with your findings:)

[Tzehou]

Ace! That's the reason why I had swopped my 15400 for a 15202. Simply unbeatable!

[Alfredo.]

Fantastic shots!

[kevbm]

Fantastic post and shots,Ben! You've just enabled a lot of people!

[SamGMT]

Awesome shots & write out!

[Matt C]

That is really a beautiful piece, thanks for your review and detailed pictures! The movement really is a thing of beauty!

[SearChart]

Gorgeous watch & Stunning pictures.

[JorgeCCW]

Great review Ben, 15202 is a true icon.
If I were to choose between the 5711 and the 15202, I would pick the 15202 any day.

[AK797]

Simply awesome! Should show these pics when someone asks, why buy an AP?

[conkers]

Great shots Ben!

[MrJ320]

Great macro shots and thread Ben!!

The 15202 is definitely my favorite SS watch as well!

[benlee]

Thanks everyone for your generous compliments!

Originally Posted by orangedial

Bravo! What a review of this timeless creation by Genta
The macro shots are incredible, buddy!

"… most perfect stainless steel watch ever made"…
Indeed!

Thanks! Yes Indeed!

Originally Posted by JorgeCCW

Great review Ben, 15202 is a true icon.
If I were to choose between the 5711 and the 15202, I would pick the 15202 any day.

Me too! That's why I got the Jumbo.

Originally Posted by AK797

Simply awesome! Should show these pics when someone asks, why buy an AP?

Originally Posted by Ots

Wow! Such great photography! I enjoyed reading it ben! This thread just cemented my decision to go for the jumbo!

The detailed shot of that bracelet is fantastic! And that movement is a killer!
Where is my best bet to finding this piece here in Asia? Local AD has no chance of bringing this in.

Congrats on that piece!

Regards,

Edward

Hi Edward. Thanks for your compliments and glad I have enabled someone with this post. For your locality, if ADs there can't get it, your best chance will be to try AP boutique in Singapore. They usually have stock there and even if not, I am sure you can book and they can arrange one for you quite soon. If you need the contact, please PM me.

[jyan212]

Excellent shots, Ben! Thanks for sharing!

[sea-dweller]

Great photos!

[sebastien1975]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[agsstructures]

Amazing pictures!! You just cost me 20K!!

[Hairdude1]

Beautiful shots Ben!

[psv]

Ben, this is top notch!

[drhr]

Wow, just WOW!!!

[Rashid.bk]

^ What he said.

[travisb]

Fantastic! Thanks for taking the time for the pics.
Definitely one of my all time favorites.

[blcblc]

Superb photos and watch!

[Speed]

Cool! Awesome pics.

[watch fun]

Awesome pictures and watch!

[goog53]

An amazing thread Ben. Thanks for all your contributions to TRF. The 15202 is a killer piece I just wish it fit me better. Everyone's wrist is different so I opted for the 5711 as it fit me better