Slotted countersunk hex heads bug the crap out of me

[Golden Ellipse]

Just a minor rant; I love the 15202...a lot...but those stupid flush-mount slotted hex heads are the dumbest things in the world.

Totally nonfunctional, even to the point of being nonsensical -- why slot a countersunk head that cannot be turned?

Fully aware that the entire "hobby" of high-end watch collecting is intrinsically impractical, so I won't challenge the fact the screws are made out of white gold, but the sheer and utter uselessness of the slot design is akin to wiring a battery into the mainspring, a 2121 movement with no hands, or a date wheel labelled A through Z.

Rant off...I'd really love this watch if it weren't for those (admittedly iconic) slotted hex heads.

That don't do anything and can't serve any purpose.

Flame away....

[dera]

Look at the rear side of the watch and you'll figure it out :)

[dysondiver]

saves stressing the case , take a look at the square hole in a used socket ,,, hth

[Golden Ellipse]

The back ones work -- I get that -- but the front ones? No utility.

[beer]

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

The back ones work -- I get that -- but the front ones? No utility.

their utility is that the back ones work because of them!

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

Just a minor rant; I love the 15202...a lot...but those stupid flush-mount slotted hex heads are the dumbest things in the world.

Totally nonfunctional, even to the point of being nonsensical -- why slot a countersunk head that cannot be turned?

Fully aware that the entire "hobby" of high-end watch collecting is intrinsically impractical, so I won't challenge the fact the screws are made out of white gold, but the sheer and utter uselessness of the slot design is akin to wiring a battery into the mainspring, a 2121 movement with no hands, or a date wheel labelled A through Z.

Rant off...I'd really love this watch if it weren't for those (admittedly iconic) slotted hex heads.

That don't do anything and can't serve any purpose.

Flame away....

I understand what you're saying....don't necessarily agree....but I do understand. To me, it's a little like producing a watch without a second hand!

Now they can really flame away!!

[Samui]

I agree it doesnt make sense. It would make more sense if they removed the slots or made the screws round. But then would it look as nice?

[PJ S]

They serve no technical purpose, but they do serve an aesthetic one – even if it sets off your OCD.
Without the slots, you lose an element of contrast – a light and shade interplay – as you move your wrist.
It also breaks up the monotony of 8 otherwise plain and shiny, hexagonal bolts in a brushed octagonal surface.

If you’re adept with Photoshop or the like, take any photo and fill in the slots.
Whether it’s because we’re already conditioned to it or not, I don’t know, but the resultant image won’t look just quite as good.

[improviz]

Flame bait bugs the crap out of me, so I guess we're even.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

Just a minor rant; I love the 15202...a lot...but those stupid flush-mount slotted hex heads are the dumbest things in the world.

Totally nonfunctional, even to the point of being nonsensical -- why slot a countersunk head that cannot be turned?

Fully aware that the entire "hobby" of high-end watch collecting is intrinsically impractical, so I won't challenge the fact the screws are made out of white gold, but the sheer and utter uselessness of the slot design is akin to wiring a battery into the mainspring, a 2121 movement with no hands, or a date wheel labelled A through Z.

Rant off...I'd really love this watch if it weren't for those (admittedly iconic) slotted hex heads.

That don't do anything and can't serve any purpose.

Flame away....

My understanding is that the front bezel "screws" are actually functional, that they anchor the screws on the back, and the hexagon front "screw" head shape and corresponding hexagonal holes in the bezel keeps the front "screws" from rotating as the rear screws are turned.

But agree that in principle, the slots on the front bezel "screws" are a bit silly.

[Samui]

Originally Posted by eonflux

My understanding is that the front bezel "screws" are actually functional, that they anchor the screws on the back, and the hexagon front "screw" head shape and corresponding hexagonal holes in the bezel keeps the front "screws" from rotating as the rear screws are turned.

But agree that in principle, the slots on the front bezel "screws" are a bit silly.

This.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by eonflux

My understanding is that the front bezel "screws" are actually functional, that they anchor the screws on the back, and the hexagon front "screw" head shape and corresponding hexagonal holes in the bezel keeps the front "screws" from rotating as the rear screws are turned.

But agree that in principle, the slots on the front bezel "screws" are a bit silly.

Yeah that's also how I understand they work, about the slots I don't think it would look great without, just me...

[mnb1]

For me the slots made the watch different from others and added to the appeal, I like them.

[martinr]

Genta was one of the best watch designers ever, the Royal Oak is an icon, and you think a detail that makes the watch famous and instantly recognizable is "nonsensical"? Fascinating.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by martinr

Genta was one of the best watch designers ever, the Royal Oak is an icon, and you think a detail that makes the watch famous and instantly recognizable is "nonsensical"? Fascinating.

x2

[el1125]

Originally Posted by masterserg

x2

Times 100

[HL65]

Originally Posted by martinr

Genta was one of the best watch designers ever, the Royal Oak is an icon, and you think a detail that makes the watch famous and instantly recognizable is "nonsensical"? Fascinating.

X2

[PrinceT]

Originally Posted by martinr

Genta was one of the best watch designers ever, the Royal Oak is an icon, and you think a detail that makes the watch famous and instantly recognizable is "nonsensical"? Fascinating.

This

[csquared317]

As mentioned it holds the case together.

It was designed to look like a diving mask which used the screws to hold the glass to the helmet.

[Tokyo Time]

Originally Posted by csquared317

As mentioned it holds the case together.

It was designed to look like a diving mask which used the screws to hold the glass to the helmet.

Very cool, thanks for the intel. Aside from the Genta design factor I had zero interest in AP until now.

[Chadridv]

This turned quickly! Interesting info fellas!

[Golden Ellipse]

csquared317,

Fully agree that the hex shape retains the male screw in place as the female caseback screw is torqued up, pulling the bezel, case, and caseback together. There's no question that the hex shape has a purpose. But the slot?

Sometime when you get an extra minute, imagine putting a slotted screwdriver into those AP bezel hex heads and turning to the right.

Indeed the diver's helmet photo provided shows round screws, a mix of slotted and Phillips, but note that none of them are countersunk hex.

As to the whole "who are you to question Genta" line of thinking, this is a bit subjective don't you think? Genta was indeed a gifted watchmaker and designer, but the "Genta did it therefore it's right" reasoning is a bit too fanboy for me.

All I'm suggesting is that the bezel hex slots have zero function, and that ruins the whole RO line for me, akin to a zillion other similar threads around here about date windows, case size, hands, etc.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

csquared317,

Fully agree that the hex shape retains the male screw in place as the female caseback screw is torqued up, pulling the bezel, case, and caseback together. There's no question that the hex shape has a purpose. But the slot?

Sometime when you get an extra minute, imagine putting a slotted screwdriver into those AP bezel hex heads and turning to the right.

Indeed the diver's helmet photo provided shows round screws, a mix of slotted and Phillips, but note that none of them are countersunk hex.

As to the whole "who are you to question Genta" line of thinking, this is a bit subjective don't you think? Genta was indeed a gifted watchmaker and designer, but the "Genta did it therefore it's right" reasoning is a bit too fanboy for me.

All I'm suggesting is that the bezel hex slots have zero function, and that ruins the whole RO line for me, akin to a zillion other similar threads around here about date windows, case size, hands, etc.

I actually think the slots make sense from a design standpoint. Without them the bezel would have the appearance of being pinned in, which IMO is a low end look that lacks a certain precision that lends itself well to horology. Is that would you'd offer as an alternative? If not, how would you design it?

You admit in your first post that

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

"the entire "hobby" of high-end watch collecting is intrinsically impractical

but now that some function has been explained, this clearly comes down to basic design choices. If the design is not for you or you feel it ruined an entire line of watches, congratulations you now have $15k to go spend somewhere else. There's no problem there.

Combined with actual functionality I personally see them as a must have. If i have time later I'll make a mock up of a RO without slots. To me it would look boring, and strange and cheap.

[csquared317]

Originally Posted by Golden Ellipse

csquared317,

Fully agree that the hex shape retains the male screw in place as the female caseback screw is torqued up, pulling the bezel, case, and caseback together. There's no question that the hex shape has a purpose. But the slot?

Sometime when you get an extra minute, imagine putting a slotted screwdriver into those AP bezel hex heads and turning to the right.

Indeed the diver's helmet photo provided shows round screws, a mix of slotted and Phillips, but note that none of them are countersunk hex.

As to the whole "who are you to question Genta" line of thinking, this is a bit subjective don't you think? Genta was indeed a gifted watchmaker and designer, but the "Genta did it therefore it's right" reasoning is a bit too fanboy for me.

All I'm suggesting is that the bezel hex slots have zero function, and that ruins the whole RO line for me, akin to a zillion other similar threads around here about date windows, case size, hands, etc.

I get what you mean, but for me, I realized that on my watch the screws were torqued so hard that within the slot they are turned to the side. So the points of the hex screw do not match the points in the slot. I'm not sure how to explain or if I am clear.

Maybe the slot there is so that the watch maker can actually align the screws a little?

[improviz]

Sorry to hear. Enjoy another brand.

[GB-man]

Simple. Get a drywall knife and some plaster and fill the holes. Done.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Simple. Get a drywall knife and some plaster and fill the holes. Done.

[Chadridv]

yep, to me they look like pins. A funny look for a high end watch IMO.

[JD521]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

yep, to me they look like pins. A funny look for a high end watch IMO.

Nice job with the mock up...
I think the slots work perfectly with the entire watch design (in addition to any functionality they serve). It compliments the hard lines and edges of the RO...compliments the entire feel of the watch. Honestly, I'd rather have no visible screws than to have the screws with no slots!

I'm a fan.

[Watchurself]

^ nice mockup. Agree that the bottom picture looks a lot better.