Are Royal Oak (not Offshore) WR Ratings Conservative?

[esscaster]

Hi All,

Thinking of getting onto the Royal Oak bandwagon and wondering if AP are like Rolex in that their watches can handle depths much greater than what they were rated for? or if their WR Ratings are really the max you should take them to? OR if they shouldn't get wet at all?

I'm the kind of guy who doesn't want to think about watches when I go about my day whether I'm at the gym, surfing, rock climbing etc.

Looking particularly at either a 15300ST or the 15450ST

Thanks all!

[Xerxes77]

For what you need you don't need AP!
AP RO is a beautifull watch with excellent attention on details but is a scratch and dents magnet especially on bezel!
IMO you need a Submariner or the new SD!

[artschool]

or buy yourself a g shock or a garmin fenix.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by esscaster

Hi All,

Thinking of getting onto the Royal Oak bandwagon and wondering if AP are like Rolex in that their watches can handle depths much greater than what they were rated for? or if their WR Ratings are really the max you should take them to? OR if they shouldn't get wet at all?

I'm the kind of guy who doesn't want to think about watches when I go about my day whether I'm at the gym, surfing, rock climbing etc.

Looking particularly at either a 15300ST or the 15450ST

Thanks all!

Water resistance tests are carried out in a laboratory environment using static pressure which is not like real world environment use. If anything your actual WR is less than what it shows on the dial and that goes for any watch. A 100M WR watch tested in a lab using static pressure won't do to well if you actually used it in a real world setting at 100M. Can you get it wet? Sure. Can you actually use it at the depth rating on the dial? Doubtful.

However, all certified diving watches are required to be tested at pressures 125% greater than the WR rating on the dial, that isn't Rolex specific its the ISO standard. This is specifically because the testing done using static pressure so they build in a safety margin to account for real world use.

[esscaster]

Thanks all, have a long history with Rolex Sports watches but honestly just want to try something different. Don't mind scratches at all, in fact, think it adds character. Just want to know if RO's can handle a surfing wipeout or jumping off a jetski or something without fear of water damage. I don't deep dive but for sure snorkel, but never too deep.

much appreciated guys!

[justdate]

If you get something with a ceramic bezel that should make it suit your purposes better, well if you want to avoid some ugly scratches.

[SMD]

I would not worry about swimming and basics, but for me I would never work out or rock climb in an AP. But that is me, ymmv.

[GB-man]

Get yourself a diver and you're set. I wouldn't wear a 15300 or 15450 on a sea doo or surfboard. Pool maybe but active water sport? No.

I feel your pain.