Here's what I find strange about AP...

[BlueIn2Red]

I'm now lucky enough to own my grail watch - the Royal Oak 15400 with blue dial, truly a fantastic piece which I can't stop looking at. However, although I have tremendous respect for AP, their history and what they stand for, there is no other AP watch that I really desire to own. The Offshore line especially I find ostentatious and often downright unpleasant in terms of design. It seems bizarre to me that the team of people that produce the elegant beauty of the RO can also produce some of those blingy Offshore monstrosities!

Of course it's not quite as simple as that, I do love watches like the 15202, but I have a limited budget so it would make no sense to me to buy that when I already own the 15400. Similarly I admire the ROC, but I'm not a great chrono user so for me it really just reduces the desirable simplicity of the classic three hand RO.

Rolex on the other hand is a brand I greatly admire, but don't really love (partly because of their often crass marketing, partly because of the "look at me" reputation the brand unfortunately has); yet I find I like and appreciate the vast majority of their watches ... only the really high end gold/diamond pieces do I truly dislike.

It's probably just me, but I do find it interesting! There aren't many product brands I really like and admire, yet don't actually like the majority of what they produce.

[Dandoun]

I agree 100% with you. The standard royal oak is really amazing and so refined - the offshores seem to be fun and fantasies more than actual historical icons. Completely different types IMO.

[benlee]

I like both the RO and ROO line and own pieces from both range. They are quite different obviously despite sharig the same heritage, each fulfill a different need for me depending on my mood and occasion.

If you read up AP history, the original Royal Oak was designed by the famous watch designer, the late Mr Gerard Genta while the ROO was a subsequent spin off 20 years later to create an even sportier and more "fun" version of the Royal Oak. Then it has gotten very popular and AP started making up more and more variation of Offshore with various materials and sizes. While there are certainly some of them I don't approve of, some are really great timepieces with striking wrist presence and most importantly, fun to wear.

So if you find the offshore line too ostentious and unpleasant, well, that's your personal opinion. In the end, it's a matter of personal taste. Enjoy your 15400. Btw, nice pic.

[BlueIn2Red]

Of course yes, sorry I should have said that in the post - I'm talking only about subjective opinions here, I know that many people like the Offshore and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that! It's probably good for my wallet, and marriage, that I feel this way

[benlee]

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

Of course yes, sorry I should have said that in the post - I'm talking only about subjective opinions here, I know that many people like the Offshore and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that! It's probably good for my wallet, and marriage, that I feel this way

Don't say too soon. Even within the RO line there are many desirable pieces. Have your tried on the Jumbo irl?

[doc.kool]

beautiful 15400. congrats. I hear what your saying about some of the Offshore line though. To each their own.

[BlueIn2Red]

Originally Posted by benlee

Don't say too soon. Even within the RO line there are many desirable pieces. Have your tried on the Jumbo irl?

Luckily not! I deliberately didn't ask while I was in the boutique buying my 15400, for fear of the consequences! If things go well then I can indeed perhaps see a silver dial Jumbo in my future, if it sings when I try it on...

[benlee]

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

Luckily not! I deliberately didn't ask while I was in the boutique buying my 15400, for fear of the consequences! If things go well then I can indeed perhaps see a silver dial Jumbo in my future, if it sings when I try it on...

Good for you ( for your wallet I mean ) . Quite a number of WIS friends I know including some of us here ( myself included ) flip their 15400 once they experienced the Jumbo in real life. The Jumbo 15202 is true to the original design of the Royal Oak when it was first released, and IMHO, perfect in every way.

Meantime, you can browse this thread

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=356146

[google]

I think it's all a matter of perspective, I own one of the ugliest APs according to some and for me I could never buy a 15400 - It looks so plain and boring.

[BlueIn2Red]

Originally Posted by google

I think it's all a matter of perspective, I own one of the ugliest APs according to some and for me I could never buy a 15400 - It looks so plain and boring.

Well put, perspective indeed. Life would be so dull if everybody liked the same things!

[sssteel]

Originally Posted by google

I think it's all a matter of perspective, I own one of the ugliest APs according to some and for me I could never buy a 15400 - It looks so plain and boring.

Exactly right!!

[Fiery]

I don't think it's strange at all. I myself find only one model per most brands exciting. With AP my one and only favorite is the 15202ST, my favorite IWC is the Ingenieur 3239, my favorite Omega is the Speedmaster (the original Moon Watch), my favorite GO is the Seventies Panorama Date, etc. Rolex and Patek are different though: with them I can find multiple models exciting :)

[lig]

Makes sense to me. I'm perfectly happy with my 15300 as my only AP. Same thing with my PAM 111. There are other APs and Panerais I'd like to have but in all likelihood won't pursue.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

The Offshore line especially I find ostentatious and often downright unpleasant in terms of design. It seems bizarre to me that the team of people that produce the elegant beauty of the RO can also produce some of those blingy Offshore monstrosities!

Great way to make friends...

[sea-dweller]

Very nice!

[B. Doggy]

Nice watch!

[Abdullasaif]

Originally Posted by benlee

Good for you ( for your wallet I mean ) . Quite a number of WIS friends I know including some of us here ( myself included ) flip their 15400 once they experienced the Jumbo in real life. The Jumbo 15202 is true to the original design of the Royal Oak when it was first released, and IMHO, perfect in every way.

Meantime, you can browse this thread

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=356146

Once you lay your hands on one you cant do anything except buy it, I am a victim of the jumbo

[AK797]

While the 15202 Jumbo is the seminal AP watch in many ways, in more recent years it has actually cut against the grain of what APs are, at least to me, and that is muscular, dynamic, bold sports prestige watches. For dress/sports watches the 15300 is thicker and the 15400 wears like a 43mm and so continue this tradition along with the ROOs, and thus the elegant, slim 202 is more of an outlier for me and more in accord with a Patek.

[Islatate]

I am a big fan of the Offshores, having owned both the SS and RG Rubberclads, and currently the FC Jarno Trulli. IMHO, there is not a more handsome or cooler sport watch than the Trulli. With its subtle gray tapisserie dial, forged carbon case, and minimal use of red accents, it is neither ostentatious nor in-your-face. Again, that's just my own opinion.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Great way to make friends...

I decided to bite my tongue (er, sit on my fingers) for this thread...

I mean seriously, just look how ugly this watch is:

[Manofsteelpt]

Ken, your Trulli looks AWESOME on that grey hornback!!!

[Islatate]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

I decided to bite my tongue (er, sit on my fingers) for this thread...

I mean seriously, just look how ugly this watch is:

That is a killer ROO Mike. If my wrist were larger than 7", I would own a 44mm ROO too.

[Islatate]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

Ken, your Trulli looks AWESOME on that grey hornback!!!

Thanks Mike! Here it is again.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by Islatate

That is a killer ROO Mike. If my wrist were larger than 7", I would own a 44mm ROO too.

Thanks!

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by AndyGarton

I know that many people like the Offshore and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that

Thank you. I feel better now that I know it's OK.

[sssteel]

Originally Posted by Islatate

I am a big fan of the Offshores, having owned both the SS and RG Rubberclads, and currently the FC Jarno Trulli. IMHO, there is not a more handsome or cooler sport watch than the Trulli. With its subtle gray tapisserie dial, forged carbon case, and minimal use of red accents, it is neither ostentatious nor in-your-face. Again, that's just my own opinion.

Good to see something different here, and nice watch/shot!

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Thank you. I feel better now that I know it's OK.

Lol, guess now you can pull your FS ad for your hideous FC!

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Dandoun

I agree 100% with you. The standard royal oak is really amazing and so refined - the offshores seem to be fun and fantasies more than actual historical icons. Completely different types IMO.

For the most part I agree.
I own a 15400 and would probably not own both this and a 15202. Although I'd maybe consider trading up for one. I love that ROC, but there are other chronos I'd purchase first. The ROO line is nice... But not quite my cup of tea.

That all being said, it's great you love your 15400! There are so many nice watch brands out there and one can build a great collection with just one or two from any given company.


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[NoVaSubowner]

Not sure I completely agree. I also own a 15400 which easily gets 75% of my wrist time. I think the design of the Royal Oak Automatic is iconic and about as classic as it gets.

While I am not crazy about the ROO line, I also think it has become as iconic in it's own right as the 15202/15300/15400 series.

Pretty hard pressed to find a large bold sports watch with heritage and build quality like AP's I really don't think one exists. So while I don't care for the ROO line, I can appreciate it for what it is and recognize that there have been many buyers that do like and love this series so that must count for something.

[NoVaSubowner]

Originally Posted by AK797

While the 15202 Jumbo is the seminal AP watch in many ways, in more recent years it has actually cut against the grain of what APs are, at least to me, and that is muscular, dynamic, bold sports prestige watches. For dress/sports watches the 15300 is thicker and the 15400 wears like a 43mm and so continue this tradition along with the ROOs, and thus the elegant, slim 202 is more of an outlier for me and more in accord with a Patek.

I disagree that the RO wears like a 43mm.... On me at least it feels like 40 or 41.