Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

[time]

Hi,

Do you have some experience with AP Royal Oak?

What do you think when you compare it with e.g. Rolex Sub./LV?

I am getting to like the AP now....after many ROlex years...

[puffnmo]

Two very different watches... I would see a RO as a good way to diversify a collection if you don't have one. Larry.

[LawMan]

No comparison really. I have an ROO Themes , safari white dial. Quality , fit and finish is a big step up from rolex. That said both are iconic watches that have wonderful pedigrees. AP only produces about 20 thousand watches per year, many watches have a long wait list Not sure about rolex annual production.

[Thani]

i think the AP royal oak is an amazing watch and u should go for it

[Spencer]

Originally Posted by time

What do you think when you compare it with e.g. Rolex Sub./LV?

NO COMPARISON!

I love Rolex, but after spending more time getting to know AP (I have an AP ROO Chrono on order), I've come to relaize how much better it is than Rolex. Don't get me wrong, I love Rolex and always will, but Rolex is so big mainly becuase of their EXCELLENT marketing and name branding. Yes they make great wathces, but I think to most people who really aren't too familiar with wathces they hear Rolex and automatically assume it is the best.

People who really know watches and have the disposable income to spend big money on watches covet brands like AP, Patek, and A. Lange & Sohne.

p.s. This is my 777 post so it must be LUCKY!!!!!

[Stratton]

Their cost is much higher than Rolex. Bear in mind when buying one of these the very high cost of servicing. Get a quote from AP before pulling the trigger. If you're loaded go for it.

[abigsecret]

Audemars Piguet is my absolute favorite brand in the whole watch industry!
They're made in a little family-owned factory in Vallee de Joux in Switzerland.

Like the other guys said, you cannot compare them to Rolex (That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega....Rolex being the "AP" and the Omega being the "Rolex"), but at the other hand, it's not because Rolex makes close to a million watches a year that they're time pieces are not well made!
Because I know more about watches than an average person I get that question a lot: "which watch is the best one from all of them?"
My answer: "price/quality comparison, Rolex hands down!"
Patek, AP, and the other super high-end brands, have fantastic watches, but they keep the same time as a Rolex. Just because they use a lot of gold, limited editions, and more craftmanship with they're skeleton movement and what not, makes them more valuable and desirable to a lot of (rich) buyers. So they're in a league of their own.

But then also; a Patek or Piaget, or whatever is not something most owners "wear every single day, with everything they do" like most Rolex owners...
Rolex is the sturdiest watch out there (besides the Casio G-Shock maybe)

OK, I rambled long enough now.... go ahead, buy that Royal Oak, it's a fantastic time piece!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Audemars Piguet is my absolute favorite brand in the whole watch industry!
They're made in a little family-owned factory in Vallee de Joux in Switzerland.

Like the other guys said, you cannot compare them to Rolex (That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega....Rolex being the "AP" and the Omega being the "Rolex"), but at the other hand, it's not because Rolex makes close to a million watches a year that they're time pieces are not well made!
Because I know more about watches than an average person I get that question a lot: "which watch is the best one from all of them?"
My answer: "price/quality comparison, Rolex hands down!"
Patek, AP, and the other super high-end brands, have fantastic watches, but they keep the same time as a Rolex. Just because they use a lot of gold, limited editions, and more craftmanship with they're skeleton movement and what not, makes them more valuable and desirable to a lot of (rich) buyers. So they're in a league of their own.

But then also; a Patek or Piaget, or whatever is not something most owners "wear every single day, with everything they do" like most Rolex owners...
Rolex is the sturdiest watch out there (besides the Casio G-Shock maybe)

OK, I rambled long enough now.... go ahead, buy that Royal Oak, it's a fantastic time piece!

Good post, Mireyna....and congrats on your 400th post!!

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Good post, Mireyna....and congrats on your 400th post!!

Thanks JJ! One day I might be able to say the same about your posts
This will be 401 than, jippie!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Thanks JJ! One day I might be able to say the same about your posts
This will be 401 than, jippie!

[lardog]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Audemars Piguet is my absolute favorite brand in the whole watch industry!
They're made in a little family-owned factory in Vallee de Joux in Switzerland.

Like the other guys said, you cannot compare them to Rolex (That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega....Rolex being the "AP" and the Omega being the "Rolex"), but at the other hand, it's not because Rolex makes close to a million watches a year that they're time pieces are not well made!
Because I know more about watches than an average person I get that question a lot: "which watch is the best one from all of them?"
My answer: "price/quality comparison, Rolex hands down!"
Patek, AP, and the other super high-end brands, have fantastic watches, but they keep the same time as a Rolex. Just because they use a lot of gold, limited editions, and more craftmanship with they're skeleton movement and what not, makes them more valuable and desirable to a lot of (rich) buyers. So they're in a league of their own.

But then also; a Patek or Piaget, or whatever is not something most owners "wear every single day, with everything they do" like most Rolex owners...
Rolex is the sturdiest watch out there (besides the Casio G-Shock maybe)

OK, I rambled long enough now.... go ahead, buy that Royal Oak, it's a fantastic time piece!

AP Royal Oak is a great watch line.
"That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega" i will take an Omega over an over priced rolex any day. did rolex go to the MOON NO they did not. The sub crashed and burned.

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by lardog

did rolex go to the MOON NO they did not. The sub crashed and burned.

Sub? When did the Sub ever come into contention for the space program? You want to check your facts before posting - don't go dragging the conversation down the gutter.

[lardog]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Sub? When did the Sub ever come into contention for the space program? You want to check your facts before posting - don't go dragging the conversation down the gutter.

Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise [2], whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed[3].

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by lardog

Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise [2], whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed[3].

You're a bit thick, aren't you? Ok, sport, lemme spell it out for you:

DID NASA TEST A SUB?!

Now, was that clear enough or did you want me to draw it in crayon for you?

Let's get one thing straight: my attention is the last thing you could want. Looking at your posts here and in other threads, I'm getting increasingly annoyed by your running around half-cocked and coming up with the most inane claims - right now you're being a troll and I've got no compunction about getting rid of you without a second thought. Think before you post, and you would do well to read things in full before shooting your mouth off. I'm not going to tell you nicely again.

[DJF881]

Originally Posted by lardog

Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise [2], whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed[3].

That cite is from Wikipedia, which leads to a TimeZone review of the Speedmaster Pro. This review notes that

"In 1965 NASA purchased five reputable chronographs (one of which was the Speedmaster) from several jewellery stores in Houston. NASA then proceeded to abuse the watches with tests of extreme environmental conditions. Their aim was to determine if a suitable watch was available for their Space Program. The final three contenders for the "Official" NASA chronograph were a Rolex, Longines Wittnauer and the Omega. The reasons for the Rolex's departure were that it stopped running on two occasions during the Relative Humidity Tests and subsequently failed during the High Temperature Test when the sweep hand warped and was binding against the other hands on the dial. No other tests were run with the Rolex Chronograph. As for the Longines Wittnauer: "The crystal warped and disengaged during the High Temperature Test. The same discrepancy occurred on a second Longines Wittnauer during the Decompression Test. No further tests were run...." (Japanese Speedmaster Book). "

http://www.timezone.com/library/arch...59849297633294

An article I found on the history of the Rolex Chronograph/Daytona notes:

The last major changes to the manual wind chronograph came in the late 1970's when Rolex introduced the 6263 model. This was the first model to have truly waterproof pushers. The earlier Oyster Chronographs had simple round pushers with internal gaskets as the only sealing mechanism.

http://www.secondtimeround.com/cosmo...20history.html

That certainly explains why the Rolex would fail NASA's abuse tests in the 60's. It's likely the Submariner would have passed them, given that it was 200m waterproof and the Oyster Cosmograph was not.

The whole comparison as completely irrelevant to modern watches. It's like saying that Rolexes have radioactive dials or brittle bakelite bezels.

[DS/B MINI S]

Originally Posted by lardog

AP Royal Oak is a great watch line.
"That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega" i will take an Omega over an over priced rolex any day. did rolex go to the MOON NO they did not. The sub crashed and burned.

Well, I currently own a couple of Omega watches (SMP & Speedy) and a couple of Rolex watches (Sea-Dweller & Explorer II). The Omega watches offer outstanding value (if purchased pre-loved), but I can assure you they are not built to Rolex standards. I think if you look at the 'total cost' of Rolex ownership you'll have a better understanding.

Yes, the ROO is a step up from either Rolex or Omega. Of course, they are targeting different markets

[lardog]

Originally Posted by DS/B MINI S

Well, I currently own a couple of Omega watches (SMP & Speedy) and a couple of Rolex watches (Sea-Dweller & Explorer II). The Omega watches offer outstanding value (if purchased pre-loved), but I can assure you they are not built to Rolex standards. I think if you look at the 'total cost' of Rolex ownership you'll have a better understanding.

Yes, the ROO is a step up from either Rolex or Omega. Of course, they are targeting different markets

(but I can assure you they are not built to Rolex standards) HAHA like i said and NASA said OMEGA went to the MOON rolex did not cut it. SO much for ROLEX standards.

Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise , whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed.

The manufacturers of this historic chronograph give meaning to the words quality, craftsmanship and teamwork. It withstood vigorous and repeated testing and surely must be one of the most thoroughly tested watches in history. It was the only watch "Flight Qualified by NASA for all Manned Space Missions" and was used during Projects Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, and the Space Shuttle. As the only piece of space equipment available for wear to the public, the Speedmaster Professional provides the opportunity to own a small piece of history. But perhaps the greatest legacy of the Speedmaster Professional is that it has withstood the test of time. For even now, some 30 years after it was first introduced, it is still the only watch flight-qualified by NASA for extravehicular space activity.

[boa2]

So why are you here? And what does this have to do with the Royal Oak? I have an Omega, and I think the analogy was just. Now, back to the regularly scheduled program...AP.

[CPCC]

Originally Posted by lardog

(but I can assure you they are not built to Rolex standards) HAHA like i said and NASA said OMEGA went to the MOON rolex did not cut it. SO much for ROLEX standards.

Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise , whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed.

The manufacturers of this historic chronograph give meaning to the words quality, craftsmanship and teamwork. It withstood vigorous and repeated testing and surely must be one of the most thoroughly tested watches in history. It was the only watch "Flight Qualified by NASA for all Manned Space Missions" and was used during Projects Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, and the Space Shuttle. As the only piece of space equipment available for wear to the public, the Speedmaster Professional provides the opportunity to own a small piece of history. But perhaps the greatest legacy of the Speedmaster Professional is that it has withstood the test of time. For even now, some 30 years after it was first introduced, it is still the only watch flight-qualified by NASA for extravehicular space activity.

Wow, I own both brands. I agree that Omega is definately better but has less notariaty than Rolex. Rolex is known and worshipped throughout the world. They have a much better marketing division.
In conclusion, they are both great watches and you can't go wrong with either.
Peace

[Stratton]

Originally Posted by lardog

(but I can assure you they are not built to Rolex standards) HAHA like i said and NASA said OMEGA went to the MOON rolex did not cut it. SO much for ROLEX standards.

Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise , whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed.

The manufacturers of this historic chronograph give meaning to the words quality, craftsmanship and teamwork. It withstood vigorous and repeated testing and surely must be one of the most thoroughly tested watches in history. It was the only watch "Flight Qualified by NASA for all Manned Space Missions" and was used during Projects Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, and the Space Shuttle. As the only piece of space equipment available for wear to the public, the Speedmaster Professional provides the opportunity to own a small piece of history. But perhaps the greatest legacy of the Speedmaster Professional is that it has withstood the test of time. For even now, some 30 years after it was first introduced, it is still the only watch flight-qualified by NASA for extravehicular space activity.

If only the Speedmaster was built now like it was back then and had a service network to look after them. If watches from the 5 manufacturers were given the same test today the outcome would be very different. I love Speedmasters and have had every inacarnation of it bar a 2915 but I am sorry to say that if I was an astronaut the watch on my wrist would not be an Omega. It would not be an AP either but a Rolex. I've had them all and I would say that a Rolex is the most dependable watch in the world. I have found out from members on this forum that Rolex use higher grade stainless steel than all the other manufacturers including PP, AP and VC. Enough said.

[doc_colton]

Originally Posted by lardog

AP Royal Oak is a great watch line.
"That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega" i will take an Omega over an over priced rolex any day. did rolex go to the MOON NO they did not. The sub crashed and burned.

My history may be a little hazy but didn't Jack Swigert wear a GMT Master on Apollo 13? Well, it almost made it to the moon....

Also Dave Scott from Apollo 15 said "I do not recall ever having looked at my watch after egress. In the cabin after EVA-2, I noticed that the crystal of my Omega had popped off sometime during the EVA. Therefore, on EVA-3, I used my backup Waltham watch (which was) of a similar type. It worked just fine during the even higher temperatures of EVA-3.]".

While I love Omega's they were certainly not the only watch in space, or on the moon, during the good old days......

[Spark]

Omega watches are fantastic and nobody is disputing that fact.
This topic has obviously hit some raw nerves, so also being a Heuer enthusiast I thought I'd just throw another cat amonst the pigeons.

Thanks to On the Dash the Heuer forum.



TAG-Heuer Stakes Its Claim -- The First Swiss Watch in Space!! On October 26, 2006, TAG-Heuer made the big announcement -- that Heuer was the first Swiss timepiece in space, having been worn by John Glenn on his February 1962 mission. This news was the lead story on TAG-Heuer's website and was also the subject of a global Press Release issued by TAG-Heuer. It's very exciting that OnTheDash was part of this discovery, and we are proud to have presneted TAG-Heuer with this proud chapter of its history. (10/26/06)

[doc_colton]

I wonder what Yuri Gagarin wore, or for that matter if they gave Laika the dog or Ham the chimp a watch to wear when they sent them up.........

[haakon59]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Audemars Piguet is my absolute favorite brand in the whole watch industry!
They're made in a little family-owned factory in Vallee de Joux in Switzerland.

Like the other guys said, you cannot compare them to Rolex (That's like comparing a Rolex with an Omega....Rolex being the "AP" and the Omega being the "Rolex"), but at the other hand, it's not because Rolex makes close to a million watches a year that they're time pieces are not well made!
Because I know more about watches than an average person I get that question a lot: "which watch is the best one from all of them?"
My answer: "price/quality comparison, Rolex hands down!"
Patek, AP, and the other super high-end brands, have fantastic watches, but they keep the same time as a Rolex. Just because they use a lot of gold, limited editions, and more craftmanship with they're skeleton movement and what not, makes them more valuable and desirable to a lot of (rich) buyers. So they're in a league of their own.

But then also; a Patek or Piaget, or whatever is not something most owners "wear every single day, with everything they do" like most Rolex owners...
Rolex is the sturdiest watch out there (besides the Casio G-Shock maybe)

OK, I rambled long enough now.... go ahead, buy that Royal Oak, it's a fantastic time piece!

It sounds like you are giving Omega an inferior position to Rolex. I would dispute this. Both are very fine companies and I think in fact, they are very comparable in terms of finish and overall quality. But I guess we all have our own opinions.

[Welshwatchman]

Ok Lardog, I get it.

You hate Rolex.

[lardog]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Ok Lardog, I get it.

You hate Rolex.

not the watch it's some of the people that where them.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Ok Lardog, I get it.
You hate Rolex.

Originally Posted by lardog

not the watch it's some of the people that where them.

What did the people do to you? Did they make you where a Rolex?

[GoldenBear]

Nobody here is going to the moon, so you don't have to defend your Omega or your inferiority complex.

[capncrunch]

I own both - no question your paying something for the goodwill and branding of Rolex but your paying some of that that with Omega too - if I had a gun to my head, I would say Seiko is the best value of mechanical watch by ALOT. Lets face it, Omega will always be red headed step son to Rolex kinda like BMW is to Mercedes - sorry I had to drag it to cars but I sense there might be a bit love lost on this thead?

I LOVE my Rolex's but maybe becuase I can't afford Patek

Lets not forget they are all about $0.30 a pound to the scrap man...

[teton]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

Nobody here is going to the moon, so you don't have to defend your Omega or your inferiority complex.

Thanks for the laugh. This is the funniest I've read this week so far.

-Teton