AP ROC back from its Virgin Europe Trip

[orangedial]

I was on a business trip to Europe for two weeks in September. Besides attending one of the biggest rail trade fair, Innotrans 2012, in Berlin, I also visited Munich and London. Works aside, the trip would not be completed without some sightseeing, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime experience to the Oktoberfest at its place of origin in Bavaria of Germany. With so many actions happening during the trip, I'm really pleased to say that my ROC, the only watch I brought along with me, has weathered extremely well as a competent and enjoyable travel companion.

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A short review, or rather a sharing of impression, of my ROC 26300 White dial...

It is fantastic and extremely enjoyable to wear! After owning it for two months, with an intensive traveling in Europe, I must say that the silvery dial, the masculine lines and the multitude of finely brushed and polished surfaces on the chronograph case and bracelet have never ceased to capture my attention, especially when it reflects the rays of the beautiful sunlight in Europe. The white dial is very versatile and elegant which goes well with all sorts of attire whether casual or formal. The watch is weighty but not heavy and the weight distribution is very well balanced. I have to remove a few links and swap the direction of the clasp for it to be worn comfortably on my 6.75" wrist. One small problem I have with the AP-clasp is that at certain position, the corner of the sculpted "P" on the clasp would stick into my wrist and cause some discomfort. Of course this could be easily relieved by wriggling my wrist a little to loosen its grip (and obviously, this problem has been resolved with the new clasp design in the latest RO series).

Time-keeping wise, I have nothing to complaint about as the AP2385 movement keeps time reasonably well although I must say the Rolex chronometers are a tad more accurate. The ROC does not have a hack mechanism, hence the second hand won't stop during time adjustment. But it doesn't bother me at all. Overall, this is a luxury watch with the highest quality. I'm very proud to own it, feel like pampering it but at the same time can't bear to leave it idle. And it is so perfect as an all-occasion watch, if not a daily-beater! As some said "it is best appreciated on the wrist"... and I attest to it!

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Back to Europe, the trip started with a 5-day stay in Berlin for the trade fair. Then we moved on to Nuremberg for a short stopover before taking a road trip on the Autobahn to Munich, which we spent another 5 days. The last leg of the trip was in London for a 4-day visit. Along the way, we met many business partners and friends, and the highlight of the trip was obviously the merry atmosphere of the Oktoberfest which was widely celebrated all over Germany, if not the world. All in all, the trip was a fruitful one (with lots of works to follow up with). My ROC has certainly sweetened the journey and my ever-trusty Fujifilm X100 has managed to capture tons of fine moments and sweet memories.

Sharing here a mini travelogue of my ROC's virgin Europe trip. Enjoy the pictures! :)

BERLIN

1. Innotrans 2012, one of the biggest rail trade fair in the world held once every 2 years in Berlin


2. ROC and Brandenburger Tor, the icon of Berlin


3. Brandenburger Tor in evening with an interesting sky


4. Brandenburger Tor in its glorious shine at night


5. Enjoying a Berliner white beer


6. The remains of the Berlin Wall. This is the longest section of the remains


7. ROC and the Berlin Wall


8. ROC at work on the trackside


9. WEMPE @ Berlin


10. APs! *price in Euro*


NUREMBERG

11. The morning in Nuremberg, a city rebuilt in 1950s after being completely destroyed during WW2


12. ROC and Infiniti SUV, the car we hired to negotiate the speed-UNlimited Autobahn


MUNICH

13. ROC in Fleming's Hotel, a very cozy and conveniently located hotel which was fully occupied during the Oktoberfest period in late September


14. Munich city view from a 14-storey clock tower which was first built in 1050...
The twin towers of the red church are the tallest buildings in Munich, and no other modern buildings shall be built taller than them by Munich's law


15. People congregated at the Munich city centre to watch the Oktoberfest parade


16. ROC at Oktoberfest!


17. And ROC dared this monster!


18. A view from atop...


19. Oktoberfest!!!


20. In the Paulaner beer tent


21. ROC and Paulaner white beer! Spending the entire evening here with beers and musics was an unforgettable experience


22. Oktoberfest was merry, happy and romantic


LONDON

23. A stroll in Kensington Park


24. Autumn


25. ROC & Albert


26. ROC & Royal Albert Hall


27. Trafalgar Square in evening


28. ROC and Nelson's Column


29. ROC and National Gallery


30. Regent Street


31. Piccadilly Circus and a street performer from Ghana


32. Big Ben and the three musketeers!


33. ROC and Big Ben


34. ROC and squirrel! They are not afraid of human :)


35. ROC and Buckingham Palace


If you have made it this far, I hope I have not bored you with all the travel photos
My biggest surprise of the trip actually happened when I visited the Harrods shopping mall in Knightsbridge. It has one of the most amazing AP collections I've seen in any AD or boutique so far. And I finally had my virgin touch on the new 15202 with the AP logo at 6 o'clock! It was really an icing on the cake for this trip









Thank you for reading! Hope you have enjoyed

Wayne

[TSW]

Beautiful pics my friend

[Peppers90]

Great photos, wayne! I esp like the oktoberfest pics!! Cheers!!!! Looks like a lovely trip...did you take the 15202 home as a souvenir ;) or the squirrel?? haha

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by Peppers90

Great photos, wayne! I esp like the oktoberfest pics!! Cheers!!!! Looks like a lovely trip...did you take the 15202 home as a souvenir ;) or the squirrel?? haha

Shannon! The oktoberfest was intoxicating!
No, I touched the 15202, but didn't take it home sadly...
And those squirrels were from St James Park, and I guess they belonged to the Queen!

[Rolex Freak]

Very nice Wayne!!! Thanks for sharing.

[Rolex Freak]

Bytheway, what camera is that in the photos. Is it the one that you used or just a prop. Thanks.

[bayerische]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

[Speed]

Fantastic pics!!!

I see you have a Fuji mirrorless camera. Since it was in several of the shots, what were you shooting with for the most part? I am debating getting a Leica X2 someday.

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by Rolex Freak

Bytheway, what camera is that in the photos. Is it the one that you used or just a prop. Thanks.

Sandro, the camera in the photos is a Fujifilm X100 point-n-shoot camera. This is my only camera during the trip, besides my iPhone 4S.

Originally Posted by Speed

Fantastic pics!!!

I see you have a Fuji mirrorless camera. Since it was in several of the shots, what were you shooting with for the most part? I am debating getting a Leica X2 someday.

Speed, thanks for reading this thread!
I shot most of the photos with my Fujifilm X100. I also used my iPhone 4S for some of the shots, and I must say it was very capable when the lighting is adequate.
The Leica should be a very good camera

[alexlt730512]

thanks for sharing.

[BNA/LION]

Just got back a week ago. Great pictures!

[eric23]

Great Photos!

[sleddog]

A great tour in Photos...thanks for sharing!

[masterserg]

Great photos! # 30 is my favorite.

[Sam Philip]

Nice pictures, thanks for sharing

[belk7]

I love this thread. Thanks or sharing these fantastic photos.

[kilyung]

Mmmmm. Beer.

[mineral]

Nice watch and trip. Thanks for sharing

[wristybusiness]

Fantastic photos!
I stopped in Berlin this summer. Beautiful! and Berliner is great beer!

[Sixshooter]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing with us!

[tomato]

Great pictures!

[brkanand]

Very good shots. Great story. Thanks for sharing

[B. Doggy]

One of the better posts. Thanks for sharing, man.

[cdnyc]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[Submarino]

Wayne, superb photography and quite an amazing trip. Thanks so much for sharing. That picture with the reflection on the water puddle is just amazing!!!!

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by TSW

Beautiful pics my friend

Thanks Thomas
This is a great place to share my joy

Originally Posted by masterserg

Great photos! # 30 is my favorite.

Thanks Serg! I love this shot too! Waited and experimented for some time to get it right

Originally Posted by Submarino

Wayne, superb photography and quite an amazing trip. Thanks so much for sharing. That picture with the reflection on the water puddle is just amazing!!!!

Thanks for your kind comments, Hal! Glad you like that shot. All elements just came together nicely when I squatted awkwardly to compose the shot, and it paid off!

[Hairdude1]

GREAT PICS!!!! Looks like a fun time! My liver started acting up when I saw the pics of Oktoberfest. I think I am still hung over from when I was there!

[oworkman]

Awesome photo's, thanks for sharing!

Love Oktoberfest!!!

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Mmmmm. Beer.

Originally Posted by wristybusiness

Fantastic photos!
I stopped in Berlin this summer. Beautiful! and Berliner is great beer!

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

GREAT PICS!!!! Looks like a fun time! My liver started acting up when I saw the pics of Oktoberfest. I think I am still hung over from when I was there!

Originally Posted by oworkman

Awesome photo's, thanks for sharing!

Love Oktoberfest!!!

Thanks guys!
Beer

[mdtddd2007]

Looks like a nice trip:-)