AP Royal Oak Availability

[Hiflyin20]

I’ve been a loyal and avid Rolex collector for 20 years. But I’m done with the Rolex marketing/scarcity game. Whether it’s true limited inventory, dealer games or grey market scams. As someone who doesn’t own any AP’s I will focus on a new brand. Is the Royal Oak offshore as hard to get to for retail like any of the Rolex sport models? I realize Rolex doesn’t care at all about alienating its loyal customers but this has gotten to be ridiculous. Waiting 2 years or paying double in the secondary market isn’t something I’m willing to do.

[Boothroyd]

No expert, but I know they produce in a much lower quantity than Rolex. How that matches up with market demand determining availability, I don't know.

[nightmyth]

You are looking at the wrong brand if you’re fed up with artificial scarcity.

[LJubel328]

Originally Posted by nightmyth

You are looking at the wrong brand if you’re fed up with artificial scarcity.

+1

If you are upset with Rolex don't even go near AP or PP

[afmars]

Originally Posted by nightmyth

You are looking at the wrong brand if you’re fed up with artificial scarcity.

This

[kieselguhr]

May I suggest a different brand? Reason being is that you’re walking out of a boiling pot and into a frying pan.

[GB-man]

Out of the frying pan into the fire

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

May I suggest a different brand? Reason being is that you’re walking out of a boiling pot and into a frying pan.

Lol same idea

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by Hiflyin20

Waiting 2 years or paying double in the secondary market isn’t something I’m willing to do.

same situation with AP, particularly the SS Royal Oaks (time only and chronos). Royal oak offshores you might have a little more luck, but again depends on which one you want.

[Seddyspaghetti]

I think an offshore is relatively easier to get than a royal oak but you should call a boutique and find out.

[cbalster]

If you are considering the AP Code 11.59 line you will be very pleased with availability and pricing at retail.

[bwdellorf76]

Yeah AP steel (and PM) sports are the same game as Rolex.

[Hiflyin20]

Thanks for the replies. This board is always helpful. It just seems I’ve seen more AP’s on the secondary market are somewhat fairer prices. This is in the very infant stages anyway. I need to educate myself on the line and model selection.

[Milibrk@]

Welcome to the watch game.

[NYG1121]

fuggedaboutit!

[turkeysub93]

Margins on many AP and PP watches are much higher than those of Rolex watches on the grey market. Particularly sports watches.

[jcatral14]

AP will be worse, PP more so

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by Hiflyin20

I’ve been a loyal and avid Rolex collector for 20 years. But I’m done with the Rolex marketing/scarcity game. Whether it’s true limited inventory, dealer games or grey market scams. As someone who doesn’t own any AP’s I will focus on a new brand. Is the Royal Oak offshore as hard to get to for retail like any of the Rolex sport models? I realize Rolex doesn’t care at all about alienating its loyal customers but this has gotten to be ridiculous. Waiting 2 years or paying double in the secondary market isn’t something I’m willing to do.

Definitely wouldnt get an Offshore at retail, they do deprecriate quite a bit these days & can be had from 2ndhand dealers at a good discount. I've only got 1 AP, a blue 15400 but I do keep an eye out on the offshore lines. Steel Royal Oaks i wouldnt touch or even bother tbh right now.

[Calatrava r]

Take a look at Omega. Great watches and not as scarce.

[Alliy]

Maybe you should try a different brand.

[UmichNJ]

My collection is mostly Rolex, AP, and PP. I think AP can vary model by model. I waited probably two years for my blue dialed 15500, which was actually longer than for my PP 5711. One differentiator is many desirable APs are sold “boutique only”. With Rolex and PP, if your dealer has both, I think it is easier to build spend.


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[justin88]

AP boutique can sell you black dial in a couple of months but for grey dial you will have to wait like six months and for blue dial two years.

[Etschell]

AP is far worse than Rolex. Far worse.

[wiem0014]

I recently starting looking into AP for the first time and, as others have said, it turns out they are just as bad or worse than Rolex. I started a thread in the AP forum about my experience speaking with an AP boutique. This thread could be informational for you.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=783702

[danicasi2002]

If you do'nt set your eyes on the exclusive models, you could get, for example, one of the non-blue RO with a reasonable wait time (anyway one would not go into a Rolex AD asking for a ceramic daytona as a first order). Also, note that they will accept pre-orders (deposits) based on what they can supply for the calendar year (for blue, they may have multi-year wait list). At least that was my experience for my first AP. So suggest getting in line early in the year (now is the time as it is Jan). It is a beautiful brand and without going to the exclusive models (RO, ROO), you have several options to enjoy it. You only need to ask.

[Etschell]

part of me thinks the OP is trolling. what is next, moving on to PP?????

[Hiflyin20]

Uh def not trolling. I’m very informed about Rolex. Collected for 20 years. Just never strayed into any other brands. Just seeing what the AP market is like and what people on here have experienced. Obviously I know they have similar versions to the hot Rolex’s and don’t expect to walk in and get an AP akin to a Daytona. But as an initial AP I’m open to many models. Thanks again for the replies.

[danicasi2002]

Originally Posted by Hiflyin20

Uh def not trolling. I’m very informed about Rolex. Collected for 20 years. Just never strayed into any other brands. Just seeing what the AP market is like and what people on here have experienced. Obviously I know they have similar versions to the hot Rolex’s and don’t expect to walk in and get an AP akin to a Daytona. But as an initial AP I’m open to many models. Thanks again for the replies.

I know you mentioned ROO but should you consider RO, here's a photo of my 15500St Black dial (direct from AP boutique). good luck.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=684650

[Fishrus]

Pretty sure the offshores are relatively easy to get. ROOs should be avaliable with short waiting times but like people said they don't do as well in the secondary market but still hold value pretty well.

Boutique exclusive ROs are pretty hard to get. But it is possible to get other colours with some waiting time depending on which country ur from.

[porschejeff]

Originally Posted by cbalster

If you are considering the AP Code 11.59 line you will be very pleased with availability and pricing at retail.

There's a reason for the availability. I won't disparage AP.