Rolex vs AP vs Patek - repair/fragility

[marc2828]

Quick poll on Rolex vs. AP vs. Patek:

This is on newer models (like last 10 years). What are you thoughts on:
1) which brand is most in need of repair (movement)
2) Time and cost of a repair

[Gerardus]

The early Rolex 32 movements

[pearson1995]

I’d like to know if the people voting have personal experience with this. I own from all 3 and never had a problem with any of them having said that, when I bought my AP, I was told by the AD the offshore have had a few problems, but not many.

Everyone says AP, but I would like to know if this is from personal experience or going off what they hear.

[brandrea]

I’ve never owned a PP or an AP. That said, I guess I’ve always felt (rightly or wrongly) Rolex is the more robust of the bunch

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by pearson1995

I’d like to know if the people voting have personal experience with this. I own from all 3 and never had a problem with any of them having said that, when I bought my AP, I was told by the AD the offshore have had a few problems, but not many.

Everyone says AP, but I would like to know if this is from personal experience or going off what they hear.

I was kind of hoping people with ACTUAL experience would be voting. That means people that have owned, own or have a close friend that owns the brands. My buddy has all 3, and has sent several AP back for service. ROOs and Royal Oak. My Rolexes and AP have not gone back yet for service.

[APhound]

My experience is Rolex is most reliable. I’ve never sent a Rolex or Patek in for service but have sent a royal oak in for service three times (same watch). No big deal really, under warranty, didn’t take too long. Generally speaking they’re all pretty good, I’ve had so many watches over the years and only sent in an AP and a Panerai for servicing.


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[byow]

Originally Posted by marc2828

Quick poll on Rolex vs. AP vs. Patek:

This is on newer models (like last 10 years). What are you thoughts on:
1) which brand is most in need of repair (movement)
2) Time and cost of a repair

Never had any issues with a Rolex or a PP (save for one PP, which had misaligned hands). With AP I had two issues which were swiftly addressed.

[Tzachi]

Ap
patek
rolex

[HMHM]

Patek in need of a service due to issues with the date wheel not fully changing past midnight. The date wheel is stuck halfway between two dates. No issues with AP and Rolex so far, though the AP has been worn the least. No issues with any Rolex, even the ones bought more than 10 years ago.

[L_S_SHOE]

Deleted.

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[ikincooper]

I needed to service 1 x Rolex after daily wearing it for 3 years (an SD4K that was 3/4 years old when I bought it used) and have had no issues with 6 other Rolex watches.

My 1 and only AP needed a warranty service once the watch reached about 12 months in age and thankfully has been great since. Too small a sample size for me to conclude anything meaningful.


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[subtona]

Never owned my APs very long.

Been wearing rolex and Patek for many years and each have had one service issue in that time.

Patek took longer to service but they got it right and covered it out of warranty.

Rolex was quicker but had to go back for a total of three trips to fix it.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by subtona

Never owned my APs very long.

Been wearing rolex and Patek for many years and each have had one service issue in that time.

Patek took longer to service but they got it right and covered it out of warranty.

Rolex was quicker but had to go back for a total of three trips to fix it.

thank you

[Dougmc]

Never had any particular issue with either Patek or Rolex. When sent for servicing Patek seems slightly quicker, plus free gifts when come back…but no issues with either. Pricing very transparent with Patek as readily available for each type of watch.

No experience with AP.


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[edyu]

Patek is not bad but the rotor is louder than Rolex's

[t65tampa]

For me, Rolex has been a generally robust and reliable brand. My Patek Philippe watches have been largely trouble free, but I don't wear them with abandon like I do with my Rolex and AP Royal Oaks and Offshores. Fortunately, the AP Service Center is in Clearwater, just 20 minute drive from my house, so it has made servicing my AP watches easy. I'd say I've been lucky overall without any real problems with service or ever having any "lemons".

[Zach69SS]

I’ve never had any issues with my Rolexes, PP or APs. They are all modern pieces, I have a few vintage pieces too,I had an issue older Patek crown after servicing it was fixed in seconds by a local watchmaker.

So any watch can have problems new or vintage and I believe Rolex is the strongest of the three. Patek and AP make great pieces too.

Cheers,

[aehaas]

A few accuracy issues with Rolex watches over the years. I have an AP ROO of several years now, no issues. All watches worn for a month or two at a time and I never take them off. They take a beating, pool water at a minimum and keep on ticking. I think both are very durable. Gardening, mechanics, some sports, rough environment for my watches.

Ali

[Chute]

No issues with Patek (yet) . I’ve only owned since 2020.

My one and only APRO 15400 needed service three times in 8 years .

As for Rolex, a Daytona 116520 needed service after the rotor made a metal on metal noise and my 116710LN needed service after 10 years as the hour hand stopped working correctly.

[kilyung]

Every AP I’ve ever owned has made a visit to Clearwater regardless of frequency of use. I have no complaints about Clearwater - top notch. My Rolexes and Pateks are about the same frequency of service intervals. I’ve been very surprised at how robust my Pateks have been.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Every AP I’ve ever owned has made a visit to Clearwater regardless of frequency of use. I have no complaints about Clearwater - top notch. My Rolexes and Pateks are about the same frequency of service intervals. I’ve been very surprised at how robust my Pateks have been.

that is interesting...useful. Thanks!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by marc2828

I was kind of hoping people with ACTUAL experience would be voting. That means people that have owned, own or have a close friend that owns the brands. My buddy has all 3, and has sent several AP back for service. ROOs and Royal Oak. My Rolexes and AP have not gone back yet for service.

I didn’t vote just so you know

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Every AP I’ve ever owned has made a visit to Clearwater regardless of frequency of use. I have no complaints about Clearwater - top notch. My Rolexes and Pateks are about the same frequency of service intervals. I’ve been very surprised at how robust my Pateks have been.

That’s great to know

[boa2]

I've never had an issue with Rolex or AP.

Current Rolexes are 10+ years old, and my APs are over 13 years old. They're overdue for servicing, but they're still running perfectly.

[SLWoodster]

Have rolexes and APs, AP needed service in first year

[geoach]

my pp 5066 has been just as durable as my rolex 16610lv subjected to the same wear patterns

[kaiserphoenix]

My friends seem to always be sending their APs in for SOMETHING. Whether that be a chrono counter thats stuck or a buckle that fell off, just reminds me of those cars that end up in the garage all the time.

[edyu]

Anecdotal for Patek: I used my 5524g in the gym, in the pool, and on my runs because it has 60m WR and I was told it was safe for swimming. I haven't had any problems yet. For me Patek watches are just as reliable as Rolex.

[Jefferyasher]

PP and AP have significantly more complexity, overall compared to Rolex. More moving parts could translate to more things that can wear, break, or need replaced. I don't think this is a fair comparison based on the companies mentioned. I think it would be best to compare Rolex with Hublot, JLC, Blancpain, etc. and compare PP and AP with Richard Mille, VC, or FPJ....again, just my thoughts.

Based on the complications, it could be a similar service/repair cost to Rolex, give or take a couple hundred dollars, or 3 times as much.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by Jefferyasher

PP and AP have significantly more complexity, overall compared to Rolex. More moving parts could translate to more things that can wear, break, or need replaced. I don't think this is a fair comparison based on the companies mentioned. I think it would be best to compare Rolex with Hublot, JLC, Blancpain, etc. and compare PP and AP with Richard Mille, VC, or FPJ....again, just my thoughts.

Based on the complications, it could be a similar service/repair cost to Rolex, give or take a couple hundred dollars, or 3 times as much.

I agree with your logic, but I am really only considering adding these brands in my collection. The poll just affirms my small sample experience with friends that have AP....they tend to go to the shop often. I think more AP chronos than basic AP movements.