AP Reliability

[aalyu]

Hi all,

Been reading about AP's reliability, just wanted to hear your experiences on this brand?

Problems such as:
- Date not changing
- Watch stopping after a few weeks / months of use
- Not accurate (going as fast as +60 sec/day)


Any thoughts?

[SMD]

Nope. Love my APs.

[kneedeep]

My 15300 date change is within 10 mins of midnight - not going to service it for that. Extremely accurate, way within COSC.

[Hairdude1]

Going great here

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by aalyu

Hi all,

Been reading about AP's reliability, just wanted to hear your experiences on this brand?

Problems such as:
- Date not changing
- Watch stopping after a few weeks / months of use
- Not accurate (going as fast as +60 sec/day)


Any thoughts?

I had a single incident of my date wheel getting stick halfway on my brand new 42mm ROO for about an hour one night. After it turned over, I cycled through the dates almost a full month, gave it a good winding and never saw the issue again.

However, after comparing my watch to a couple other 42mm ROOs at the boutique, I decided to send my watch into APSC to have the crown looked it. It seemed a little gritty while winding and screwing down the crown.

I also told them about the date wheel incident.

SO, I had a little bit of back and forth drama with APSC mostly due to some communication issues, but ultimately they replaced my Chronograph Module, oiled and lubricated the watch, and regulate it damn close to zero.

I've had my watch back on the wrist for about 3 weeks now and have not had one problem. The customer service almost drove me to leave the brand and run back to Rolex, but I stuck it out due to my flat out love for the watch. I'm glad I did.

And as far as customer service goes, I can assure you I've read almost nothing but good things, so I do believe my issues were unusual.

[improviz]

I have two, have had both for several years, no issues with either.

[watchaser]

I have an I series stainless steel 44mm ceramic. Recently chrono hand would not reset back to zero. Same watch had hour hand get stuck. Going back to service soon.

[Time Collector]

Originally Posted by watchaser

I have an I series stainless steel 44mm ceramic. Recently chrono hand would not reset back to zero. Same watch had hour hand get stuck. Going back to service soon.

I also have an I series SS 44 mm ceramic, that I just sent to APSC for the 3rd year sticker. While there, they told me that the chrono was not working right and it needed to be replaced. So they are replacing it under warranty and also giving me an additional 2 year warranty.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by Time Collector

I also have an I series SS 44 mm ceramic, that I just sent to APSC for the 3rd year sticker. While there, they told me that the chrono was not working right and it needed to be replaced. So they are replacing it under warranty and also giving me an additional 2 year warranty.

This was my only issue out of my 4 APs... AP fixed this as a COURTESY, as I was out of warranty. They're aces in my book.

[Time Collector]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

This was my only issue out of my 4 APs... AP fixed this as a COURTESY, as I was out of warranty. They're aces in my book.

To be honest, I didn't know there was a problem with the chrono since I usually just wear it without touching the chrono function.
Like you said, they are aces in my book, when it comes to customer service. The extra 2 year warranty was a plus.

[singe89]

9 APs now and 2 early H series ran fast. I also had a crown and stem come out of my 15400 but I pulled it pretty hard when it didn't easily come out. Also had a screw come loose in the movement after service but I consider this one human error. All issues were quickly fixed by AP and no problems since. I've also had issues with all watch brands I've owned...Rolex, IWC, panerai, omega, etc. APSC is by far the best to deal with if any issues do happen.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by Time Collector

To be honest, I didn't know there was a problem with the chrono since I usually just wear it without touching the chrono function.
Like you said, they are aces in my book, when it comes to customer service. The extra 2 year warranty was a plus.

Mine would occasionally stop running while the chrono was engaged, they replaced the whole module, serviced it and gave me a 2 year warranty. Again, this was while I was out of warranty. Can't beat that service

Yours will be fixed in a month. Did you opt for the polish? I did since it was only $200 and they already had the watch. Came back like new! (where's the "in love" emoji?)

[Eddo]

I've had no movement issues with my roc and I've had it for 8 months. The only thing that i had to take it to the sc for was a broken spring in the clasp which was replaced under warranty

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[SamGMT]

There are loves and hates on my APs, just like husband and wife's relationship. I'm not going to divorce her as yet.

[lapince]

Well my ceramic case appeared to have cracked on it's own, in the most protected place on the watch, between the rubber under the bezel and the crown guard, I, as the director and staff of the Paris boutique, were quite amazed to see it happen, it is now at Le Brassus for inspection, so yes problems happen, but AP service as far as I can tell is perfect, I wrote them about the problem they told me to bring it in, and once I did they didn't try to pin the problem on me in any way, on the contrary agreeing this was very strange and that they had never seen this before. So if something goes wrong you can count on them to make it good, for the moment I would buy another without hesitation, of course that is if my problem is resolved in a favorable fashion, but seeing their attitude and accounts of other members I would think it would be...

[texex91]

Had a few fun fast, but nothing APSC can't fix quickly.

[masterserg]

My current one is just off to Clearwater (crown turns on time setting position but the hands don't move!).

My advice, according to my own experience, is: If you buy the brand, you need to be mentally ready to deal with issues. If this is going to throw you off kilter, you are better off sticking with other brands such as Rolex which are (in my opinion) more robust.

I think Sam describes it well above. AP is a matter of the heart. I am on the fence right now. Not happy at all.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by masterserg

My current one is just off to Clearwater (crown turns on time setting position but the hands don't move!).

My advice, according to my own experience, is: If you buy the brand, you need to be mentally ready to deal with issues. If this is going to throw you off kilter, you are better off sticking with other brands such as Rolex which are (in my opinion) more robust.

I think Sam describes it well above. AP is a matter of the heart. I am on the fence right now. Not happy at all.

The thing is, people routinely assume reliability on the part of Rolex that isn't there. If you peruse the Rolex section there are plenty of reports of watches breaking; I can vouch for this personally as both my ExpII and GMTIIc broke and required repair trips to RSC. I purchased both brand-new, had them for only a few years, when they broke, and baby my watches like few others do

The issue with the GMT is a known one and a lot of people have reported same issue, before and since. Also someone did a survey about warranty work being needed in that forum some time back, and the number of people who are required warranty work on their Rolexes was well up into double digits.

[Vipes]

I've had 3 APs all bought brand new. All three reliable and no issues.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by improviz

The thing is, people routinely assume reliability on the part of Rolex that isn't there. If you peruse the Rolex section there are plenty of reports of watches breaking; I can vouch for this personally as both my ExpII and GMTIIc broke and required repair trips to RSC. I purchased both brand-new, had them for only a few years, when they broke, and baby my watches like few others do

The issue with the GMT is a known one and a lot of people have reported same issue, before and since. Also someone did a survey about warranty work being needed in that forum some time back, and the number of people who are required warranty work on their Rolexes was well up into double digits.

I owned / flipped more than 20 Rolexes (yes, 20) ... I owned my Explorer II with zero issues wearing every day for more than 15 years and one service in between. My wife wears his DJ day and night (last 4 years) with zero care. On the other hand, a friend recently had to send his brand new Daytona because it just stopped dead after a couple of weeks. I am not comparing watches / brands as they are not comparable but I stand by my remark. You can't deny that a Rolex is, generally speaking, more carefree wearing (considering that any mechanical machine can have issues).

That does not mean that I want to wear a Rolex (as upset as I am right now). As I said above, my opinion and my personal experience.

PS, AP service is miles above Rolex.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by masterserg

I owned / flipped more than 20 Rolexes (yes, 20) ... I owned my Explorer II with zero issues wearing every day for more than 15 years and one service in between. My wife wears his DJ day and night (last 4 years) with zero care. On the other hand, a friend recently had to send his brand new Daytona because it just stopped dead after a couple of weeks. I am not comparing watches / brands as they are not comparable but I stand by my remark. You can't deny that a Rolex is more carefree wearing (considering that any mechanical machine can have issues).

That does not mean that I want to wear a Rolex (as upset as I am right now). As I said above, my opinion and my personal experience.

PS, AP service is miles above Rolex.

Well, that's the thing: we don't have a JD Power or Consumer Reports-style survey on these things, so we simply have anectodal data, which is kind of "depends on who you ask": I've had no trouble with the APs but trouble with the Rolexes (though I'm not gonna sell my Rolexes as a result, I still like 'em ).

Plus, if it's your watch in the shop, all the data in the world doesn't count for much! But yeah, all automatics are labors of love, luck of the draw kind of things, all of them have issues, unfortunately, so great customer service definitely helps when bad luck strikes. :)

I dunno, carefree wearing in terms of not worrying so much about banging them up? Yeah, Rolex is probably more robust there (well, except for Daytona) as the bezels don't scratch as easily/show scratches as much, but I don't like to bang automatics around much in general so for me, none of them are carefree wearing!

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by improviz

Well, that's the thing: we don't have a JD Power or Consumer Reports-style survey on these things, so we simply have anectodal data, which is kind of "depends on who you ask": I've had no trouble with the APs but trouble with the Rolexes (though I'm not gonna sell my Rolexes as a result, I still like 'em ).

Plus, if it's your watch in the shop, all the data in the world doesn't count for much! But yeah, all automatics are labors of love, luck of the draw kind of things, all of them have issues, unfortunately, so great customer service definitely helps when bad luck strikes. :)

I dunno, carefree wearing in terms of not worrying so much about banging them up? Yeah, Rolex is probably more robust there (well, except for Daytona) as the bezels don't scratch as easily/show scratches as much, but I don't like to bang automatics around much in general so for me, none of them are carefree wearing!

Fully agree.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by masterserg

My current one is just off to Clearwater (crown turns on time setting position but the hands don't move.

After some mild bitching here, I should add that I dropped my watch at the boutique on Wednesday and got a phone call yesterday. They will cover under warranty.

As I said above, AP service is one the best across any industries. Extra word for the people at the Bal Harbour boutique. Simply outstanding. It's always a pleasure to go there to look around and chat.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

Mine would occasionally stop running while the chrono was engaged, they replaced the whole module, serviced it and gave me a 2 year warranty. Again, this was while I was out of warranty. Can't beat that service

Yours will be fixed in a month. Did you opt for the polish? I did since it was only $200 and they already had the watch. Came back like new! (where's the "in love" emoji?)

Originally Posted by masterserg

After some mild bitching here, I should add that I dropped my watch at the boutique on Wednesday and got a phone call yesterday. They will cover under warranty.

As I said above, AP service is one the best across any industries. Extra word for the people at the Bal Harbour boutique. Simply outstanding. It's always a pleasure to go there to look around and chat.

APSC Clearwater best in the business in my opinion. They not only are great in addressing issues they do it so quickly with excellent communication.

[Maiden]

Originally Posted by HL65

APSC Clearwater best in the business in my opinion. They not only are great in addressing issues they do it so quickly with excellent communication.

I guess what I struggle with is yes, they seem to fix a lot of things that break just outside of warranty. The fact they seem to fail in the first place is the problem, warranty or not. I would have great communication to if I had someone spend 20k plus on a watch and it broke down, when with regular service it should never happen.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by nresetar

I guess what I struggle with is yes, they seem to fix a lot of things that break just outside of warranty. The fact they seem to fail in the first place is the problem, warranty or not. I would have great communication to if I had someone spend 20k plus on a watch and it broke down, when with regular service it should never happen.

Newsflash: mechanical things break. Name me any brand that appears in this forum that hasn't multiple reported breakdowns of their multi thousand dollar watches by users on this site.

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by masterserg

My current one is just off to Clearwater (crown turns on time setting position but the hands don't move!).

My advice, according to my own experience, is: If you buy the brand, you need to be mentally ready to deal with issues. If this is going to throw you off kilter, you are better off sticking with other brands such as Rolex which are (in my opinion) more robust.

I think Sam describes it well above. AP is a matter of the heart. I am on the fence right now. Not happy at all.

Brutal realization.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

Brutal realization.

Speak for yourself, I've had two of my rolexes go tits up and zero issues with APs. Now how bout scurrying back over to the Rolex forum and not wasting our time bagging on APs as you seem wont to do as of late?

Oh, and how bout this little nugget? 27% of TRF Rolex owners report having issues with their Rolexes:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=419887

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by improviz

27% of TRF Rolex owners report having issues with their Rolexes:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=419887

Horrible stats.

If you would let EVERY member on this forum cast a vote you will see that number drop immensely.

Also, people who have issues will easier come forward/talk about it than people who are completely happy and satisfied.

AND the people who frequent this forum are watch lovers, so a very nice and special crowd.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Horrible stats.

If you would let EVERY member on this forum cast a vote you will see that number drop immensely.

Also, people who have issues will easier come forward/talk about it than people who are completely happy and satisfied.

AND the people who frequent this forum are watch lovers, so a very nice and special crowd.

It'll still be higher than the general population. Why? Because the OCD here will send a watch back under warranty for a tiny spec of dust under the crystal that can only be seen with a loupe and similar minutiae. I'm not saying that it is wrong to do so, but I believe firmly that people here have higher expectations than the general populous.