Is "The Beast" second most iconic AP?

[gretch6364]

For those of you with large enough wrist to wear it comfortably....I am curious on of everyone's current thoughts on The Beast (26238).

The 26238Ti was one of the first APs I tried on at a boutique, but at the time, I quickly dismissed it due to its thickness.

I quickly fell in love with the current 43mm line, but have been waiting and waiting for a ghost re-issue. It is starting to feel as though that will not happen in the short term and while I have purchased my wife a RO, my adventure is still waiting to start.

For a while, I thought maybe I would just buy a khaki 43 this year, but now I am thinking more and more about the 26238Ti. With the quick change strap, there is a lot of versatility there. Black, grey or white rubber...a custom textile strap like the grey on the RG 26420, which I think would look pretty killer.

Plus, other than the Jumbo...The Beast seems like the second most iconic AP. I really want a titanium ROO, eventually a blue dial Jumbo and a ceramic 41. Feels like the beast is a great place to start.

What says the collective?

[srvrf]

I think so. I'm not very knowledgeable about AP's history, but would have to think that the launch of The Beast in 1993 ushered in a whole new style of large/oversized watches.

Even though I have about a 6.5" wrist, I love my 26420SO for weekend and casual wear. The ceramic bezel protects the case and mine really looks unworn.

[Audevache]

I tend to agree. In the past, I had always said to myself that I’m not an Offshore guy. But I must admit the Beast has grown on me. It is after all the watch that saved AP in a way.


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[gretch6364]

I understand it is a big watch, but I really think the quick change strap has made the beast much more versatile and easier to wear.

There is not any difference between the current 42mm ROO in light blue/green then the beast when on the rubber strap. I tried the light blue on at the boutique and it feels good on wrist...although I do wish it was 14mm tall...lol.

I did not get to try on the green Ti model...but I have to guess it feels even more manageable for wearing all day.

This won't be a popular opinion...but some of the past 44 ROO models have not aged as well to my eye, and while I do love the current 43, it feels as though the beast has a better chance of staying attractive to me.

[In-N-Out]

Saw this thread last night and after thinking about it, I think you’re right and the beast is probably #2.

Obviously someone can be super technical and say it’s 5402, then 15202, etc. But the beast probably had more relevance than the RO did at launch.

Perhaps older folks here could describe how the beast (at the height of ROO popularity) compared to the RO in present day.

[eonflux]

Love my 26238Ti

Love the color of Ti, the weight, the bracelet.
The quick change system is so convenient.

The case is thick, but so is the bracelet, so balances out nicely.

[gretch6364]

Thank you for sharing the pics. It looks great!

Do you also have a deep sea? If so, which reference and how do they compare?

[Rmoor]

Great watch I love mine.


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[GW44]

Originally Posted by Rmoor

Great watch I love mine.


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Love this reference. Do you have pics on the Blue rubber strap too please?

[gretch6364]

How is the weight of the SS? I imagine having the option to put on rubber with the quick change makes a huge difference when you don’t want something heavy.

Hard to decide between the Ti and SS…but I am currently thinking Ti.

Quick note….unless Rmoor did the conversion, his watch wouldn’t have the quick change strap. Running seconds is at 12.

I would love to see the Ti with a grey rubber strap or an orange strap (textile or rubber).

[APhound]

These are very cool! Weren’t on my radar.
I liked the ceramic one A LOT but I remember a forum member here getting one and then letting it go pretty quick so I kinda took that as a sign to skip it and never thought about them again.


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[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by APhound

These are very cool! Weren’t on my radar.
I liked the ceramic one A LOT but I remember a forum member here getting one and then letting it go pretty quick so I kinda took that as a sign to skip it and never thought about them again.


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The ceramic version looks amazing, just not diverse enough color scheme for me and I can’t justify the $86k vs $46k for Ti.

[APhound]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

The ceramic version looks amazing, just not diverse enough color scheme for me and I can’t justify the $86k vs $46k for Ti.

Ya that’s a big difference! 86 is a lot


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[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by APhound

Ya that’s a big difference! 86 is a lot


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If you have the jingle and want one, it appears the pricing has made them attainable from boutiques.

Another detail that I really like about the beast…the hands and petite tapisserie from the Jumbo. More than any of the other models, the beast and jumbo have these items tying them together. The white date disc on the blue dial beast is a cool throwback as well.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Thank you for sharing the pics. It looks great!

Do you also have a deep sea? If so, which reference and how do they compare?

Yes, have a Deepsea--116660 D-Blue.

It's noticeably heavier than the 26238Ti, and very top heavy.
Flops around a bit on the wrist.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

If you have the jingle and want one, it appears the pricing has made them attainable from boutiques.

Another detail that I really like about the beast…the hands and petite tapisserie from the Jumbo. More than any of the other models, the beast and jumbo have these items tying them together. The white date disc on the blue dial beast is a cool throwback as well.

The petite tapisserie of the 26238 was a big draw for me.
On my previous 44mm ROO and Diver, the large blocks were a bit plain.
Nice to see detailed work on the 43mm ROO mega blocks.

I also like the classic shaped hands of the Jumbo and 26238 (along with dial markers that are consistent).

And I prefer the main hand design of the 44mm 26400 models vs the 43mm 26420.
The 26420 main hands are a bit leafy shaped to me, and I don't like the bisected lume of the main hour hand.

Initially, I wanted a 43mm 26420 as a successor to my previous 44mm 26400, but the 26238 bracelet, petite tapisserie, classic ROO chrono subdial arrangement, and having both the AP logo and print on the dial won out.

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by eonflux

The petite tapisserie of the 26238 was a big draw for me.
On my previous 44mm ROO and Diver, the large blocks were a bit plain.
Nice to see detailed work on the 43mm ROO mega blocks.

I also like the classic shaped hands of the Jumbo and 26238 (along with dial markers that are consistent).

And I prefer the main hand design of the 44mm 26400 models vs the 43mm 26420.
The 26420 main hands are a bit leafy shaped to me, and I don't like the bisected lume of the main hour hand.

Initially, I wanted a 43mm 26420 as a successor to my previous 44mm 26400, but the 26238 bracelet, petite tapisserie, classic ROO chrono subdial arrangement, and having both the AP logo and print on the dial won out.

Thanks for the input. All great points. I didn't originally think of it, but as you pointed out, the "AP" logo and printed "Audemars Piguet" is also a consistency between the 26238 and Jumbo, not currently used on other AP Models.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

How is the weight of the SS? I imagine having the option to put on rubber with the quick change makes a huge difference when you don’t want something heavy.

Hard to decide between the Ti and SS…but I am currently thinking Ti.

Quick note….unless Rmoor did the conversion, his watch wouldn’t have the quick change strap. Running seconds is at 12.

I would love to see the Ti with a grey rubber strap or an orange strap (textile or rubber).

I have the SS and I feel that it is just right. Not too heavy at all. I saw the question asked when comparing to the Deepsea. I also have a Deepsea, and the Deepsea feels a little top heavy since the bracelet is not as substantial as the beast.

I got the SS as it is the one which is as close to the original one with tbe blue dial. A friend got the Ti version and he is regretting not getting the SS due to the blue dial. But of course it is a personal choice. But since you seems to be wanting an iconic piece with the history, it may play as a factor.

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by llngoc

I got the SS as it is the one which is as close to the original one with tbe blue dial. A friend got the Ti version and he is regretting not getting the SS due to the blue dial. But of course it is a personal choice. But since you seems to be wanting an iconic piece with the history, it may play as a factor.

I definitely am going back and forth in my head about this. The reasons I was leaning toward the Ti:

1. I love AP titanium and my grail is a titanium 41mm perpetual, which I have had the chance to wear for a couple minutes and still love it.

2. I have been waiting and waiting for a reissue of the ghost in 43mm and the Ti beast is as close to that as I think you can get from the modern catalogue. I wear a lot of blues, greens, browns, tans, greys and black....the grey dial feels much more versatile with strap options (I think it could look great with bracelet, black rubber, grey, orange and potentially white).

Also, I prefer a light watch, am very active, dress very casual and worry I would not enjoy the SS on wrist as much. Also, I want a Jumbo some day to scratch the blue dial itch...or a QP.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by gretch6364

I definitely am going back and forth in my head about this. The reasons I was leaning toward the Ti:

1. I love AP titanium and my grail is a titanium 41mm perpetual, which I have had the chance to wear for a couple minutes and still love it.

2. I have been waiting and waiting for a reissue of the ghost in 43mm and the Ti beast is as close to that as I think you can get from the modern catalogue. I wear a lot of blues, greens, browns, tans, greys and black....the grey dial feels much more versatile with strap options (I think it could look great with bracelet, black rubber, grey, orange and potentially white).

Also, I prefer a light watch, am very active, dress very casual and worry I would not enjoy the SS on wrist as much. Also, I want a Jumbo some day to scratch the blue dial itch...or a QP.

I think you answered your own question already. No bad choice here; just personal preference

[Vince_76]

I’d say so. The impact it had in the early 90s up until now on the oversized sports watch in haute horology is unprecedented. People have to remember that the Krey several decades ago was for the offshore and the Royal Oak was the dog of the collection.

[gretch6364]

If you have the wrist for it…offshore’s have to be the top dog of large watches (along with RM if that is in your realm).

I know small watches are all the rage, but as long as it is proportional, I can’t help but think big watches will make a comeback soon and for one simple reason….

What is the current most popular wrist “watch” in the world and what size is it?

If half the population are wearing larger Apple Watches, people are going to become used to that size (both wearing it and visually seeing it on other people).