New AP watches - My take

[Bearxj86]

My rating:
Case height = A
Case flanks = A+
Crystal = B+
Movement = B+
Dial = D-
Case size = C

However and unfortunately, dial is pretty important. Would have loved no-date, perhaps brueget numerals versus the panerai like enlarged 12, 3 , 6, 9. Perhaps it will grow on me.

My favorite is the simple 3 hander white dial rose gold.

[Bearxj86]

Look at those lugs




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[Horolojust]

White is too vivid. Unsure if I’m liking it even though I’m a huge AP fan
Sadly it looks like fake non-branded watch to me



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[P2725TMB]

Originally Posted by Horolojust

White is too vivid. Unsure if I’m liking it even though I’m a huge AP fan



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I must admit, in those pics to me they look very unremarkable, lack individuality and too much like a myriad of other offerings out there. AP aim to break the rules, but these don't.

[Horolojust]

Originally Posted by Horolojust

White is too vivid. Unsure if I’m liking it even though I’m a huge AP fan

Sadly, it looks like a fake non-branded watch to me.




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[holdtime]

Originally Posted by Horolojust

White is too vivid. Unsure if I’m liking it even though I’m a huge AP fan
Sadly it looks like fake non-branded watch to me



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Big and not good looking.
Looks like Fossil or Diesel Watch.
Wow is this move by AP going to put them under?

[dr35mm]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

My rating:

Case height = A

Case flanks = A+

Crystal = B+

Movement = B+

Dial = D-

Case size = C



However and unfortunately, dial is pretty important. Would have loved no-date, perhaps brueget numerals versus the panerai like enlarged 12, 3 , 6, 9. Perhaps it will grow on me.



My favorite is the simple 3 hander white dial rose gold.

I agree pretty much in everything, the dial is a big turnoff to me. I have no words as of now to explain myself but they feel off.


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[bruinmd]

After watching the Hokinkee video, I'm less excited than I was from the picture rendering.
Agree with the OP regarding the dial.........very meh.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O47UlEm74c

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by bruinmd

After watching the Hokinkee video, I'm less excited than I was from the picture rendering.
Agree with the OP regarding the dial.........very meh.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O47UlEm74c

Thanks for the link. The quality, engineering and thought of the details are definitely put into this new line. However, the design is where it seems to fail. It seems that most others feel the same way. It's kinda funny that the CEO in the Hodinkee video is wearing a ROO and not one of the new models?

I'm a newbie to AP, and I have only recently started looking at and considering one. I love the Offshore line and I think I'm going to stick with one of those.

[karasus]

The time only dial bauhaus design was a mistake for this watch.

The chronograph / perpetual calendar are winners though, especially the PC dial is A+

[P2725TMB]

Originally Posted by karasus

The time only dial bauhaus design was a mistake for this watch.

The chronograph / perpetual calendar are winners though, especially the PC dial is A+

Do you not think the Perpetual dial is a bit visually cluttered with the stars? I do.

[karasus]

Originally Posted by P2725TMB

Do you not think the Perpetual dial is a bit visually cluttered with the stars? I do.

I would need to see it in person, but at 41mm I think it would be fine. I like the fact that it kinda pulls off a space/time theme combo which is pretty cool.

[SSCosmo]

The PC is the best of the bunch. I think I'm going to withhold final judgment till I get to see these in-person, but I can't say I'm truly excited about any of them at this point. I do look forward to them putting the new chronograph movement into a Royal Oak Chronograph though.

[benlee]

Agree about the case. Dial design is very unexciting. That's why my pick of the bunch will be the openworks tourbillon? elim

On instagram, the reactions from collectors have been overwhelming negative.

[Vipes]

In this current watch climate, it’s hard to see this line doing well. Non sporty watches are soft; just look at Patek. Only Aquanaut and Nautilus models are doing well.

Case design is pretty cool but the dial design reminds me of Nomos.

[JR16]

I agree w OP’s grades. Case views from the side look great but dial is boring. Also wish it was 39 or 40mm not 41mm. Overall in these current iterations (at least for the three hands and chrono) i think it’s a big miss for AP. Looks like a generic no-name watch on initial glances. Underwhelmed.


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[HK Islandboy]

Horrid series name and completely unappealing dial design

[SBC1986]

Originally Posted by HK Islandboy

Horrid series name and completely unappealing dial design

100% and the design is so bad it really is not worth writing more. Sad AP can't design better. Good luck selling this without APs .....

[zahain]

Although i do not like any variation of the new code 11.59 why name your watch a codename what does that even mean? (we called it that as we could't think of a real name so lets stick with numbers), i will say that it at-least is a unique case design with the octagonal middle case portion so they didn't copy from another swiss brand. They launched way too many variations and models at the same time (unfortunately because they need to bring a-lot of new things to the table each year which is hard to keep up and innovate).

I cant believe Francois kept the date position on his now new in house manufactured movement. But, at-least its calibre is reasonably proportioned to the case, 70hrs and looks nice for viewing pleasure for its only good point.

And as for this reason, im out

Seriously though, this is going to have similar discounts/desirability as the Jules and Millenary. The only people buying this is to move up on 15202/15407 lists and loyal AP asian customers who have direct contact with the brand and must keep purchasing.

he's saying we are not only a royal oak brand, but lets just get similar to our royal oak design on dials and put them in a dress watch and boom, never seen before. He has done very well with offshore, royal oak and concepts but for dress watch comparisons to Patek, no where close. until there are more interesting dials with some detail, ill stick with Patek

[Peterandwatches]

Case construction is the strongest suit.

Good on AP for trying something new. I don’t know why the release promotions felt more like a perfume launch. I don’t like the name of the watch, I don’t like the font they’ve been using, and I did not fall in love with the dial.

[JJ WA]

Honestly, losts of overreaction imho. It’s not an uberly exciting watch, but it’s not the disaster most people are saying either. Most of this comes from the disappointment that people have by thinking AP come have done better. I can see myself buying the time-only white gold blue dial model, which Hodinkee says will cost $26,800. This line will never become a RO, but imho it's MUCH nicer than the Millenary.

[Watcheroo]

Originally Posted by jj wa

honestly, losts of overreaction imho. It’s not an uberly exciting watch, but it’s not the disaster most people are saying either. Most of this comes from the disappointment that people have by thinking ap come have done better. I can see myself buying the time-only white gold blue dial model, which hodinkee says will cost $26,800. This line will never become a ro, but imho it's much nicer than the millenary.

+1

[David5807]

Not a fan of this new line of watches.

[masterserg]

I like them, though if I was going to spend that amount I’d go RO / ROO anytime (much safer). PC and chrono look really nice and I love the curved glass. Movements look great but so does the 3120 on the 15400. Chrono movement is a diff story and a beauty. I’d imagine price will be pushed upwards significantly with new in house.

Hats off to the manufacture for trying something new.

[blacke90]

Originally Posted by masterserg

I like them, though if I was going to spend that amount I’d go RO / ROO anytime (much safer). PC and chrono look really nice and I love the curved glass. Movements look great but so does the 3120 on the 15400. Chrono movement is a diff story and a beauty. I’d imagine price will be pushed upwards significantly with new in house.

Hats off to the manufacture for trying something new.

+1
They’re trying new things and we’ll see if they will succeed in years to come. This new line might attracts a different segment of customers other than RO. Time will tell...
I do like the perpetual calendar and the Chrono dials and movements.


Let’s all keep in mind that they didn’t replace the RO nor the ROO with the new line.

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by blacke90

+1
They’re trying new things and we’ll see if they will succeed in years to come. This new line might attracts a different segment of customers other than RO. Time will tell...
I do like the perpetual calendar and the Chrono dials and movements.


Let’s all keep in mind that they didn’t replace the RO nor the ROO with the new line.

Yes, this is very true! I totally agree about AP never intending this new release to replace the RO or ROO. I think the main issue people are having is that this new line looks too similar to lower cheapie brand watches like Vincero and Daniel Wellington. I can't say for sure, but I suspect a person wearing a CODE 11.59 will get a "compliment" from someone one day with "Nice Vincero watch!"

As for the watches themselves. I'm sure they're not a POS. As mentioned in my previous post, they definitely have the quality, the engineering, and the thought behind the designs. It has nice features like the case, lug and crystal design. You can pretty much bank on it being a good watch! People are just not excited about the looks, which obviously is the biggest selling point for luxury watch buyers.

I guess when AP came out with the RO and ROO, they really pushed the envelope with their design. There was nothing like it on the market. It was so different in fact, that people questioned whether anyone would even buy such an outrageous looking watch! I am thinking that everyone was expecting some sort of cutting edge or wild design for their new dress series? I know I was.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

I guess when AP came out with the RO and ROO, they really pushed the envelope with their design. There was nothing like it on the market. It was so different in fact, that people questioned whether anyone would even buy such an outrageous looking watch! I am thinking that everyone was expecting some sort of cutting edge or wild design for their new dress series? I know I was.

I was waiting as well. Especially after hearing their CEO speak at the Hodinkee10 event.

Fingers crossed these evolve as much as they can. Since they are more "traditional" watches, it does seem to me some new dials / fonts & hands could make use of the movements and interesting cases...

[blacke90]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Yes, this is very true! I totally agree about AP never intending this new release to replace the RO or ROO. I think the main issue people are having is that this new line looks too similar to lower cheapie brand watches like Vincero and Daniel Wellington. I can't say for sure, but I suspect a person wearing a CODE 11.59 will get a "compliment" from someone one day with "Nice Vincero watch!"

As for the watches themselves. I'm sure they're not a POS. As mentioned in my previous post, they definitely have the quality, the engineering, and the thought behind the designs. It has nice features like the case, lug and crystal design. You can pretty much bank on it being a good watch! People are just not excited about the looks, which obviously is the biggest selling point for luxury watch buyers.

I guess when AP came out with the RO and ROO, they really pushed the envelope with their design. There was nothing like it on the market. It was so different in fact, that people questioned whether anyone would even buy such an outrageous looking watch! I am thinking that everyone was expecting some sort of cutting edge or wild design for their new dress series? I know I was.

Agree with you and strongly believe the fundamentals are there (case, movements, crystal) for AP to build upon. With dial design changes, I feel they can appeal to hardcore RO and ROO fans if needed. At the end of the day, you can only change soo much while being a “dress” watch if that was their intention. Not sure if this 1159 is a dress watch or a new line unisex watch as I haven’t read their marketing materials nor read any articles as of yet.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by masterserg

I like them, though if I was going to spend that amount I’d go RO / ROO anytime (much safer). PC and chrono look really nice and I love the curved glass. Movements look great but so does the 3120 on the 15400. Chrono movement is a diff story and a beauty. I’d imagine price will be pushed upwards significantly with new in house.

Hats off to the manufacture for trying something new.

I am confused as to whom this is meant to target. Not sport watch buyers. Dress watch buyers? Is that a big segment of the market overall? And if you had to choose between these and say a PP or Lange, which would you choose? Just a head scratcher for me.

[malarky_hk]

Seems the overall initial reaction is either negative or meh. AP still a slave to the Royal Oak.