Rolex Sub vs AP RO 15500

[Rolex_AG]

Hi TRF Fam,

As I am sure many here have personal experience, can you speak to the durability of the Rolex sub vs the AP RO 15500.

I tend to be quite careful with my watches and the high finish on the RO and especially on the bezel scares me in terms of picking up scratches.

As compared to a Rolex sub, is the RO way more delicate? Is it worlds apart or pretty close?

I might have the chance to get a RO at retail in the coming months but this might be a deal breaker for me

Thanks
Rolex_ag

[illiguy]

The Sub is definitely more of a “tool” watch that arguably looks better the more well-worn it is. I have not handled a 15500, but have handled/own a 15202ST Jumbo. The bracelet and bezel, while beautiful and iconic on the RO, is a scratch magnet. So, you do have to be delicate with the AP. Not to mention the AP doesn’t have nearly the same water resistance.

In short, no need to “baby” either watch, but the RO you definitely have to be more careful / have wrist awareness.

Originally Posted by Rolex_AG

Hi TRF Fam,

As I am sure many here have personal experience, can you speak to the durability of the Rolex sub vs the AP RO 15500.

I tend to be quite careful with my watches and the high finish on the RO and especially on the bezel scares me in terms of picking up scratches.

As compared to a Rolex sub, is the RO way more delicate? Is it worlds apart or pretty close?

I might have the chance to get a RO at retail in the coming months but this might be a deal breaker for me

Thanks
Rolex_ag

[whiterabbit66]

I own both and the sub is more hardwearing in terms of scratches although the sub scratches too. In terms of choosing between the two the AP is a level about the sub or quite frankly any Rolex in terms of quality/ownership experience. If you can get an AP at retail over a sub at a premium I would go AP.

[bp1000]

If you like the RO the finish shouldn’t be a deal breaker it should probably be the other way around. It’s why you buy it/

It’s a robust watch, perhaps not as robust as the sub but not much is.

Go for it if you want one

[7sins]

Own many APs, they are all scratch magnets. No matter how hard you try to avoid getting a scratch, you will scratch the watch. They can be easily polished out if it bothers you. Any rolex will be more "rugged" and take more abuse than the AP.

With that being said, the quality and craftmanship on an AP is in another league above Rolex. You need to try one on to understand what I am saying but the presence and the attention to detail that goes into the AP is worth the premium IMO

[Benzsiam]

I own both brands, I don't think AP is any more scratch magnet than Rolex.

[calh22a]

I think they’re different beasts all together. The sub is more of tool watch/daily beater. The ceramic bezel of the sub makes it less prone to scratches. The RO to me is the more refined watch that is less casual. If you can swing it, I’d get both as they are quite different watches. BTW I do own both.

[supernova]

For your main question, the Sub is no doubt much more durable than the AP.

They are 2 completely different watches, for different purposes and different price points, so quite impossible to compare really.
It’s like comparing a Tudor Pelagos to a Rolex Skydweller.


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[eskiserkan]

AP is a pure scratch magnet. It does even get scratched by your shirt buttons :) And the bad part is you wont correct them by scotch brite pad or any type of finishing pads like the Rolex.

However , if buying from retail or slightly above i would go with the AP.

[S1mplee]

If you can get AP at retail I would go AP all day. Night and day difference between AP and Rolex as many have said.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I own both brands, I don't think AP is any more scratch magnet than Rolex.

i agree...if you have wrist awareness it's not really a scratch magnet. i think i only have 1 visible scratch in a years worth of wearing it. if you rest it on tables and armrests and bang it around then yes it'll get beat up and the way it's polished will show scratches everywhere but otherwise it's no different than a steel rolex. durability is another story, royal oaks are (and feel) more fragile, but still a great daily

[huncho]

here are 2 pics - purchased it last december, nothing but smudges. keep in mind half the time was spent in an office and the other half spent working from home lol, but still wearing it at home regardless. would not wear it doing outdoor sports activities but this isn't the watch you get for that anyway

[clock]

AP is one of the horological trinity along with Patek and Vacheron Constantin. Although made in Germany, Lange should be part of this group.

As others have stated, AP is in another league vs Rolex.
Consistent with that, maintenance and repairs are approximately three or four times more expensive than Rolex.

[Max 66]

Rolex Sub is definitely less delicate than RO, but this does not mean that you have to renounce to get a RO, let's say that it depends upon use you have to do of the watch. If you work in an office, wear suits and long sleeve shirts you can use a RO daily. 
Having said that, I personally see the Sub as a good first watch to have, while the RO is normally a watch that integrates an existing watch collection. 

[kneedeep]

Playing or working hard - Sub
Playing or working soft - AP

[macrowatch]

+1 for what 7Sins and Supernova said. Spot on.