AP 50th anniversary production years

[felfyre]

I am happy they’re releasing the more royal oak chronograph in 38mm and really interested in getting one (either the new blue dial or the old silver blu subdials).

Unfortunately we all know how hard it is to get one nowadays, and I already stopped hoping of getting one retail this year. I am wondering if the 50th anniversary edition is only going to be produced this year? And how much will they fetch at the grey market?

[Bearxj86]

The rotor is just this year from my understanding.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

The rotor is just this year from my understanding.

Confirmed by my SA in AP also. Which is why this year will be exceptionally difficult to get a RO.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by felfyre

I am happy they’re releasing the more royal oak chronograph in 38mm and really interested in getting one (either the new blue dial or the old silver blu subdials).

Unfortunately we all know how hard it is to get one nowadays, and I already stopped hoping of getting one retail this year. I am wondering if the 50th anniversary edition is only going to be produced this year? And how much will they fetch at the grey market?

Can't help you with the grey market (other than predict it's going to be obscene), but the 50th anniversary rotor is only going to be included until the end of 2022 production in early December (e.g. from FHB interview with Horoloupe). Then one presumes the same models will continue, but switch to the regular rotor.

[GS93108]

An interesting aspect to this is what is eligible for the 50th rotor? Just the new references that have been released along with the as yet unreleased models? What about continuing references such as the 15407 for example? I'd 'guess' that it's just the new references, rather than being ALL pieces manufactured in 2022, but would welcome being corrected.

I'm with AP next week, I shall find out.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by GS93108

An interesting aspect to this is what is eligible for the 50th rotor? Just the new references that have been released along with the as yet unreleased models? What about continuing references such as the 15407 for example? I'd 'guess' that it's just the new references, rather than being ALL pieces manufactured in 2022, but would welcome being corrected.

I'm with AP next week, I shall find out.

Pretty sure it (the 50th rotor) is only for the new references for this year only Gary, and not any exisiting models.

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by GW44

Pretty sure it (the 50th rotor) is only for the new references for this year only Gary, and not any exisiting models.

Alas I think that's correct.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by GW44

Pretty sure it (the 50th rotor) is only for the new references for this year only Gary, and not any exisiting models.

But how many "existing" models are left? IMO, it's a given that the 15500 will be transitioned to a new model. Then it's just the MRs, QPs and openworked, plus the 77350 (which will likely follow the 77350CE update) and the 33mm quartz (no rotor for you!).

There's 9 months left for more announcements (April for sure, and apparently also in the summer). So, when the year is over, essentially the whole RO lineup will have turned over.

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

But how many "existing" models are left? IMO, it's a given that the 15500 will be transitioned to a new model. Then it's just the MRs, QPs and openworked, plus the 77350 (which will likely follow the 77350CE update) and the 33mm quartz (no rotor for you!).

There's 9 months left for more announcements (April for sure, and apparently also in the summer). So, when the year is over, essentially the whole RO lineup will have turned over.

True enough.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

But how many "existing" models are left? IMO, it's a given that the 15500 will be transitioned to a new model. Then it's just the MRs, QPs and openworked, plus the 77350 (which will likely follow the 77350CE update) and the 33mm quartz (no rotor for you!).

There's 9 months left for more announcements (April for sure, and apparently also in the summer). So, when the year is over, essentially the whole RO lineup will have turned over.

So very true sir. Next raft of releases for April and then July......don't know if anymore after that though.

Come the year end I would guess that around 50-70% (ballpark) of the AP catalogue will have had a 2022 "refresh" and a 50th Rotor installed in their movements.

Pah, common as muck and easy to buy multiple versions I would wager

[m3jasper]

Originally Posted by GS93108

An interesting aspect to this is what is eligible for the 50th rotor? Just the new references that have been released along with the as yet unreleased models? What about continuing references such as the 15407 for example? I'd 'guess' that it's just the new references, rather than being ALL pieces manufactured in 2022, but would welcome being corrected.

I'm with AP next week, I shall find out.

Michael Friedman mentioned all the models except two or three, iirc. I remember one of them being the 15407, can't recall the other(s).

So all pieces produced in 2022 will get the 50th rotor and then on 01/01/2023 everything goes back to the original rotor.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by m3jasper

Michael Friedman mentioned all the models except two or three, iirc. I remember one of them being the 15407, can't recall the other(s).

Just Royal Oak yes?

[m3jasper]

Originally Posted by GW44

Just Royal Oak yes?

I would assume so, as that would make the most sense. But don't recall, tbh.

Sorry.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by m3jasper

I would assume so, as that would make the most sense. But don't recall, tbh.

Sorry.

Thank you

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by GW44

Just Royal Oak yes?

The new ROO releases don't mention anything about a 50th rotor, so it makes sense that it's only the RO models that should be celebrating their 50th.

I know there are supposed to be 21,000 50th rotors in play by the end of the year, so that leaved 29,000 other models without them.

21,000 = what's the fuss about :)

But, don't forget we haven't seen the 'limited' editions for this year. I'd imagine that there'll be at least a couple of models with a limited production run of just 50 pieces, those will be real 🦄. As if this year wasn't hard enough.

[scottywein]

The watches will continue in production next year without the 50th rotor on the back. My SA mentioned the other ROC will still be made and I'm on the list for the black dial with silver subdials. They tried to get me to buy a Code but I'd honestly rather just pay grey market for the watch then buy something I don't really enjoy.

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by scottywein

The watches will continue in production next year without the 50th rotor on the back. My SA mentioned the other ROC will still be made and I'm on the list for the black dial with silver subdials. They tried to get me to buy a Code but I'd honestly rather just pay grey market for the watch then buy something I don't really enjoy.

I'd speculate that some references will be 50th year rotor models only and then retired, but the majority for sure will be available next year with 'normal' rotors. But it's interesting to hear that the 'old' ROC will still be made, but I'd possibly surmise that your SA was using 'made' and 'distributed' as synonyms, either way it's somewhat semantics if 'made' doesn't = a 50th rotor anyway.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by GS93108

The new ROO releases don't mention anything about a 50th rotor, so it makes sense that it's only the RO models that should be celebrating their 50th.

I know there are supposed to be 21,000 50th rotors in play by the end of the year, so that leaved 29,000 other models without them.

21,000 = what's the fuss about :)

But, don't forget we haven't seen the 'limited' editions for this year. I'd imagine that there'll be at least a couple of models with a limited production run of just 50 pieces, those will be real 🦄. As if this year wasn't hard enough.

I’ll look out for AP 50th anniversary Royal Oaks in my local Costco…..not

Interesting about the production (21k/29k) split, thanks Gary.

[scottywein]

Originally Posted by GS93108

I'd speculate that some references will be 50th year rotor models only and then retired, but the majority for sure will be available next year with 'normal' rotors. But it's interesting to hear that the 'old' ROC will still be made, but I'd possibly surmise that your SA was using 'made' and 'distributed' as synonyms, either way it's somewhat semantics if 'made' doesn't = a 50th rotor anyway.

Yeah, he just said that the 50th RO/ROC isn't likely this year and maybe the normal production ROC could be done next year.

Honestly, I was on the waiting list in 2019 for one of those and then my SA left. The SA that took my account e-mailed me in 2020 and I missed it given everything that was going on in the world. Probably missed my shot on that watch then but hoping that the new relationship may form something.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by scottywein

The watches will continue in production next year without the 50th rotor on the back. My SA mentioned the other ROC will still be made and I'm on the list for the black dial with silver subdials. They tried to get me to buy a Code but I'd honestly rather just pay grey market for the watch then buy something I don't really enjoy.

Grey market for the 26331ST seems to be ~$100k for the Panda, and more for the blue. I have one, love it, but would never pay that.

'm not sure I believe your SA that the 26331ST will continue to be produced side-by-side with the 26240ST for much longer (e.g., next year). Maybe there's some existing supply of parts, movements etc, but the current duplication of product lines can't be the permanent solution.

Edit: re-reading your post, I'm now not sure if "other ROC" = 26331 or 26240 w/o 50th rotor...

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by scottywein

Yeah, he just said that the 50th RO/ROC isn't likely this year and maybe the normal production ROC could be done next year.

Honestly, I was on the waiting list in 2019 for one of those and then my SA left. The SA that took my account e-mailed me in 2020 and I missed it given everything that was going on in the world. Probably missed my shot on that watch then but hoping that the new relationship may form something.

This year is of course going to be crazy. To be honest, the 50th rotor hasn't helped and in reality it adds ZERO to the watch itself, so keep in contact with your SA and let him/her know that next year will be fine, it'll be the same watch, but that you'd very much appreciate being kept in mind should one come available. Best of luck.

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Grey market for the 26331ST seems to be ~$100k for the Panda, and more for the blue. I have one, love it, but would never pay that.

'm not sure I believe your SA that the 26331ST will continue to be produced side-by-side with the 26240ST for much longer (e.g., next year). Maybe there's some existing supply of parts, movements etc, but the current duplication of product lines can't be the permanent solution.

Edit: re-reading your post, I'm now not sure if "other ROC" = 26331 or 26240 w/o 50th rotor...

I think there's some misinterpretation going on. I think the 26331 is long gone, other than those stock items still awaiting distribution. But for sure the 26240 will continue into 2023.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by GS93108

I think there's some misinterpretation going on. I think the 26331 is long gone, other than those stock items still awaiting distribution. But for sure the 26240 will continue into 2023.

For the UK the 26331 ROC pretty much dried up by Q4 ‘21 but cannot speak for other markets.

Sad I missed out on the 26331 Panda in Spring’21 but c’est la vie.

[m3jasper]

Originally Posted by GS93108

I think there's some misinterpretation going on. I think the 26331 is long gone, other than those stock items still awaiting distribution. But for sure the 26240 will continue into 2023.

I understood the same to be true as well.

[Jsol]

My 50th anniversary RO also struts a special certificate that authenticates the special release and it's signed by Francois, the CEO. So that bit of extra flair could make them more special.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GS93108]

Originally Posted by Jsol

My 50th anniversary RO also struts a special certificate that authenticates the special release and it's signed by Francois, the CEO. So that bit of extra flair could make them more special.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's a nice touch for sure, but equally the rotor/certificate is not fundamental to the watch itself and thus anyone not fortunate enough to obtain one this year will still have a magnificent watch that is near identical to the anniversary model, should they be able to get one next year.

For a jumbo I'd imagine there is a huge difference, given that in another 50 years the jumbo will still be being talked about, but for a ROC I'd honestly say the same won't be true.

Thus I'd very much like a jumbo this year, but if I can't have the blue faced ROC this year then I'll wait until next year and could care less.

p.s.

Congrats.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by GW44

I’ll look out for AP 50th anniversary Royal Oaks in my local Costco…..not

Interesting about the production (21k/29k) split, thanks Gary.

29k Codes! Jkjk

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by GS93108

It's a nice touch for sure, but equally the rotor/certificate is not fundamental to the watch itself and thus anyone not fortunate enough to obtain one this year will still have a magnificent watch that is near identical to the anniversary model, should they be able to get one next year.

For a jumbo I'd imagine there is a huge difference, given that in another 50 years the jumbo will still be being talked about, but for a ROC I'd honestly say the same won't be true.

Thus I'd very much like a jumbo this year, but if I can't have the blue faced ROC this year then I'll wait until next year and could care less.

p.s.

Congrats.

I agree. Rotor for the jumbo is nice. Roc, I’d rather have the rig rotor

[NYMike]

The 38mm Chrono has a closed case back. Not sure have a 50 rotor will make any difference in this piece as it's not visible.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by GS93108

This year is of course going to be crazy. To be honest, the 50th rotor hasn't helped and in reality it adds ZERO to the watch itself, so keep in contact with your SA and let him/her know that next year will be fine, it'll be the same watch, but that you'd very much appreciate being kept in mind should one come available. Best of luck.

Fair to say that a new 16202 this year (with 50th rotor) is going to be about as rare as Prince Andrew sweating. Allegedly, on both fronts…..