26331 discontinued rumors?

[nyman23]

Is there any truth to this rumor? I heard it going around last year but it’s started up again.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by nyman23

Is there any truth to this rumor? I heard it going around last year but it’s started up again.

AP confirmed that the SS ROC is going to be moved to the in-house flyback chrono caliber eventually, if I recall correctly what was said at the presentation of the '21 novelties 3 weeks ago. Just a matter of ramping up production of the movement.

One can check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoApKikQIn8

[macrowatch]

What Vogel Phoenix said. That and all models are eventually discontinued so all discontinuation rumors eventually become true. Lol.

[grievor]

Probably in 2022 together with the 15202st...

Seems like AP is using their steel ROs to push their non-RO (ROO,CODE,JA) pieces. Be prepared to see an immense shortage of steel ROs being available...

Emulating patek in a way?

[Benzsiam]

My SA told me that 41mm Rose gold ROC 26331OR will be discontinued by the end of 2021 and be replaced with 26239OR but he doesn't know that SS model will be discontinued at the same time.

[Tanuki]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

My SA told me that 41mm Rose gold ROC 26331OR will be discontinued by the end of 2021 and be replaced with 26239OR but he doesn't know that SS model will be discontinued at the same time.

That was said in the video. AP said when introducing a new movement they need time to ramp up production and cannot make enough for all models at once so it will be a staged fazing out. They did just release the new green dial gold ROC with the current movement.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Tanuki

They did just release the new green dial gold ROC with the current movement.

"Release" is an interesting term - by the time I hit "send" on my email inquiring about the watch, they were supposedly all allocated already.

[GW44]

Any more solid news on this please? I have one on order......

[LOWERCASE GUY]

2022 will be a huge year for AP with the 50th anniversary of the RO and we should expect several changes.

I expect the 26331 to be discontinued next year, replacing the Frederic Piguet 1185 movement and giving us an open case back to show off their new 4401 movement (current used in the CODE chrono).

I'm also expecting a new 15450 (37mm RO) next year although unsure if the new 4302 movement (currently in CODE and 15500) will fit as it's 32mm. The current caliber is only 26.6mm.

15202 will be replaced too, although unsure what to expect. Big year next year for AP. Looking forward to seeing what's coming.

I'd also like to see a green smoked dial CODE but that's more wishful thinking than educated guess.

[LOWERCASE GUY]

Originally Posted by GW44

Any more solid news on this please? I have one on order......

Cool. Which one you getting?

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by LOWERCASE GUY

I'm also expecting a new 15450 (37mm RO) next year although unsure if the new 4302 movement (currently in CODE and 15500) will fit as it's 32mm. The current caliber is only 26.6mm.

Even on the 15500 the cal 4302 date window requires a small notch in the minute track. On the 15450 the same date window would need a notch in the bezel. Making the 15450 ~1mm or so larger would be an interesting move (and instantly take it from hard-to-get to unobtanium).

[GW44]

Originally Posted by LOWERCASE GUY

Cool. Which one you getting?

Blue dial 15500 first and then;

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/e...1220ST.01.html

But still being drawn to this but need to put one on my wrist first;

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/e...1256ST.01.html

But with both/either chrono’s should I hold off until 2022 in the light of the 2022 changes that we are discussing here?

Thanks.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by GW44

Blue dial 15500 first and then;

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/e...1220ST.01.html

But still being drawn to this but need to put one on my wrist first;

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/e...1256ST.01.html

But with both/either chrono’s should I hold off until 2022 in the light of the 2022 changes that we are discussing here?

Thanks.

open case back is nice but I would not hold off on it if you can get it at retail now. who knows are hard it will get to get one once they release the new models. at the moment you can still get the non blue chronos at retail with a bit of elbow grease.

[Tanuki]

Other than the movement and caseback there are a bunch of dial design changes between the new and old model that you should consider. The new one has three equal sized subdials which are spaced differently than the 26331. The date window moved and now intrudes on the outer seconds tract. I like the 26331 layout better but to each their own.