Three grails....interesting comparison

[Helmi]

Before starting my post, I was hesitated which forum to post it on, but I decided here because most members here have experienced all or some of the watches that I am going to talk about.

Three watches I absolutely adore, I wish funds allow me to add them all in the future. But for now I could only think and plan for one. I am not a fan of yellow metals hence the choices here. The watches have almost nothing in common. The only reason to have them in the same post is the price. All of them very close in price (60k USD range +\- couple of thousands)

3 famous brands, for me represent the top of Watch making today (if we exclude the independent small players). In no particular order:

1- Rolex Daytona platinum: my grail for years, until I started to get deep into the watch game, never dreamed of any other watch. Love the diamond version. Daytona in general is my favorite watch if I have to select only one watch. I like very much the heft, the ice blue hue is unique. Being platinum which I currently don't own is another plus. On the down side, it is another Daytona like buying a BMW M4, special car but essentially a 4 series if you get what I mean. The chronograph is completely useless to me but it looks great on the dial. Would give me absolute satisfaction in many aspects and will be recognized by everyone but as a WIS, I know it is not a patek philippe or lange or journe. Also from resale value point of view not the best and will take a decent hit should I decide to flip for any reason.

A fantastic photo I borrow from a fellow member here:



2- Pp 5524: an awesome watch. Everytime I see its photos it grows on me more. White gold, not as special as platinum but still a pm. Useful complication, amazing brand which happens to be my favorite brand in watch making and one of the top if not the top watch brand. I am yet to see it in flesh until then I can't say 100% that it is my grail. But a very strong contender. Decent size, fantastic resale value. Very special watch.

On the down side, it overlaps very much with my 5164. Essentially the same watch with different design and in precious metal. Also, I am not big fan of straps and would prefer bracelets but that's not a big deal. For non-watch lovers, it will go completely unnoticed which is not a negative thing. Big challenge to get one, and most likely no haggling possible.

Again, A fantastic photo from the forum here (thanks Tyler for a great shot):



3- AP RO perpetual calendar blue in steel: just had a chance to see it in flesh this week. It was never on my "grail" list but after seeing it in flesh boy-o-boy it mesmerized me. Great complication and arguably one of the best PC in the market. The bracelet is also fantastic. I could haggle a bit and get some discount.

On the down side, it is very expensive for a ss watch, yes it is the most complicated watch in the 3 but would have loved to get a pm paying that much. Also being a ro makes it (like Daytona) a luxury version from a main stream product. Also AP as a brand, despite being in the holy trinity, but to me not as special as patek. Public recognition of the watch will be good as an AP not as a PC which is understandable. Resale value not great (like the platona), and being very complicated makes it pain to live with as part of a collection and very delicate compared to the other 2. Still love it

Photos from my AD visit (quality not as the other photos, sorry):




P.s. Buying the AP would give me chance to be prioritized for the openworked 15407 and buying the Daytona would give me chance to get the steel version quicker. Funny that those expensive watches are becoming a prerequisite to buying the lesser versions.

I am undecided on which one should I aim for, interesting dilemma and something to keep me busy for the coming few months

What do you guys think?

[RHIII]

What a GREAT trio!!!

Absolutely NO downside to any of these. But — if it were me the decision would be simple — it would 1000% be the AP perpetual calendar.

It is an amazing reference - with a wonderful complication.

Good luck!!!


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[rolex_addict]

5524g no comparison

[Toony]

I would get the Daytona. The 5524g if it wasn’t on a strap might have been my choice.

[kilyung]

5524g

[gmstevenson]

All three are great. For me it would be the 5524G, which I suspect would also have the best resale value in case you ever decided you wanted to get something different or it wasn't for you. I love the idea and visual of Royal Oaks, but, having owned a 41 mm ROC, it had a clunkier feel (not in a bad way; it just had more heft and thickness than is my preference). Also, very expensive to service. Beautiful nonetheless.

[texasmade]

I'd vote AP RO PC. I handled the blue at the AP boutique in NYC and in person looks amazing. I've also seen the YG version in Munich and that's a true grail for me.

[Marciano490]

I'd do the RO; the steel really makes your nail polish pop ;)

[sensui]

I am thinking platinum Daytona.....biased but I voted with my wallet.

[OmeletteDuFromage]

How about the brand new ultra thin AP RO for only 35k and spend 25k on a new WG Daytona?

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

I'd do the RO; the steel really makes your nail polish pop ;)

Hahaha. That is the sales lady at the dealer.

So far the AP and 5524 are leading. Thanks for the feedbacks so far, keep them coming

[henry333]

Platona... the weight and the feeling holding it !

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by OmeletteDuFromage

How about the brand new ultra thin AP RO for only 35k and spend 25k on a new WG Daytona?

Are you referring to the 15202? It should be 25k not 35, or am I missing something?

[AK797]

I think the 5524 is your priority as you posted here, but as you have the 5164 then the AP PC.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Helmi

Are you referring to the 15202? It should be 25k not 35, or am I missing something?

New 15202IP with platinum bezel and links now.

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by AK797

New 15202IP with platinum bezel and links now.

I tried to put my name for it but I was told by many ADs including Geneva AP boutique that it is sold out

[PJ S]

As much as the AP could be considered as Haute Horlogerie, I could easily overlook it in favour of either of these two...

https://www.chrono24.com/fpjourne/oc...-id7182536.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/fpjourne/...-id7295662.htm
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/debethune...-id7220319.htm

The former has the option of a bracelet, Pt as standard and RG by request – not sure what the cost is though, presumably not cheap!

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/fp...k-on-the-wrist

I see no point in replicating what you already have in the 5164, with the 5524, even though there's a fair difference in overall looks.
Aside from a nice enough colour combination, I see absolutely no point to the Daytona as the material cost difference just doesn't stack up.

[toucan]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

I'd do the RO; the steel really makes your nail polish pop ;)

Surprised you don't recognize those hands my friend!
Op- I would go AP given the 3 choices.

[GB-man]

It’d be the PC for me. That moon!

[tng11]

Wow, that's a tough choice between the 3 for me too.

The Platona is a very special watch in its own right - the ice blue dial and heft of the piece are really something. A true power watch. But like you, I can't get over that it basically is like buying a M-series BMW. From a WIS standpoint, it feels hard to justify spending that kind of money purely for the metal when the movement is the same as a $12,400 watch (okay, you can't buy a SS one at MSRP but still...)

The 5524G is also a piece that has significantly grown on me over time. I really think Patek nailed this piece - it's a very low key and sophisticated piece. However, like you, with a 5164A, I'm skeptical of buying another piece with the same movement.

The AP RO PC is also an excellent piece especially in the blue dial. I would hardly call it an upgraded version of a mainstream product - I love having such complications in a very practical, and everyday wearable SS configuration.

So to sum up, I would take the RO Perpetual Calendar!

[alexlt730512]

5524g for sure out of these three.

[nyc2la]

RO PC of the three choices listed, but if you substitute a platinum DD40 in place of the Platona (and therefore no longer the M4), that would be my choice.

A picture for you to consider.

[DeeTee]

1. Platona
2. RO PC

The 5524 is cool, but the other two are in a different league.

[Pangit]

I'd go PP5524. Are you going to the Doha Jewellery and watches exhibition ? Always interesting pieces on display and often more sought after pieces are available but you should go on the first day.

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by Pangit

I'd go PP5524. Are you going to the Doha Jewellery and watches exhibition ? Always interesting pieces on display and often more sought after pieces are available but you should go on the first day.

Yes I plan to go but I am trying to get pass to first day as it is the vip day and I don't have the pass to it yet

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

RO PC of the three choices listed, but if you substitute a platinum DD40 in place of the Platona (and therefore no longer the M4), that would be my choice.

A picture for you to consider.

Wow that is fantastic shot Steve. Now you are tempting me to the platinum day date. Since you own both platona and this one, you prefer the day date? Does it feel more special?

[Pangit]

Originally Posted by Helmi

Yes I plan to go but I am trying to get pass to first day as it is the vip day and I don't have the pass to it yet

You can register on their website and get a full pass. It opens to public after 3 pm on first day. Or do you mean you are trying to get a pass to get you in before it opens to the public ?

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Helmi

Wow that is fantastic shot Steve. Now you are tempting me to the platinum day date. Since you own both platona and this one, you prefer the day date? Does it feel more special?

Both are great, but I no longer own the Platona, whereas I own and love the DD40.

[Helmi]

Originally Posted by Pangit

You can register on their website and get a full pass. It opens to public after 3 pm on first day. Or do you mean you are trying to get a pass to get you in before it opens to the public ?

I heard there is vip day before they open to the public. Not sure if it is true.

[tyler1980]

I can say that the 5164 and 5524 have virtually no overlap as far as function for me despite both being travel times as the watches themselves are so different. I just think of it as a hidden feature that is great to have whenever you happen to be traveling, otherwise the complication remains hidden and you do have two very different watches. I would get the 5524

I really like the AP PC as well. Its a bit busy but it is pretty close to the top of my list as far as AP's that i would love to have.

Cant go wrong with either of those two. The daytona, while i really do like it. I agree with Tom in that its hard to justify the premium as the same watch comes in SS. I do think that devalues it a little as there are so many variations of that watch. Its no different in principle than if Rolex released a DD in SS. The PM version would lose some specialness.

The 5524 is the interesting choice as it divides opinion and everyone has one. Its not really possible to be indifferent to the 5524 in the same way you can be with a daytona or RO. You either love it or hate it. The other two appeal in varying degrees to a much wider audience.