Considering my first AP (Starwheel and some questions)

[bioyuki]

Hey AP Forum,

I don’t have any APs in my collection and I’m not the biggest RO fan . The Code has started growing on me, and the Starwheel/wandering time is probably my favorite AP complication. After trying on a neovintage one, I decided the Code 11.59 Starwheel might be my first AP. A few questions:

1. Based on reading some of the posts here, it seems highly unlikely an AP Boutique/House will allocate me a Starwheel with zero spend history. If this is true it would appear my only option is to go gray as I don’t have much interest in ROO, or other Codes?
2. It seems gray pricing is quickly approaching MSRP. If I do decide to buy gray and it’s a relatively new piece, I’m assuming the 2 year AP Coverage Service will transfer over along with the standard 5 year warranty?
3. Any reviews of AP’s Coverage Service vs other insurance (I currently use Hodinkee/Chubb)?
4. I keep reading rumors around a RG Starwheel. When does AP traditionally do new launches?
5. I’m a stickler about timekeeping and accuracy, how are the new generation AP movements doing? What standards are they regulated too? With a free sprung balance and the AP name I’m assuming I should expect better than COSC/METAS but probably not Rolex/Patek +-2 or better standards?

Thanks in advance.

[In-N-Out]

1.nothings impossible. Starwheel was hard to get due to production issues last year, but they seemed to have fixed that with many deliveries this year.but if you don’t want a RO or ROO, you might as well go grey anyway since it’s slightly below retail and you don’t have to wait
2. 5 year should transfer, not sure about hi care
5. Out of my six APs, I think they are on average at -/+ 10 seconds at best. Few are at 13-14

[bioyuki]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

1.nothings impossible. Starwheel was hard to get due to production issues last year, but they seemed to have fixed that with many deliveries this year.but if you don’t want a RO or ROO, you might as well go grey anyway since it’s slightly below retail and you don’t have to wait
2. 5 year should transfer, not sure about hi care
5. Out of my six APs, I think they are on average at -/+ 10 seconds at best. Few are at 13-14

1. I’ll be down in SoCal in a few weeks so I guess I might as well poke my head in one of the boutiques/houses, but you’re probably right on going gray.
5. Yikes…that’s almost Seiko territory. I’m assuming a watch running at -+10/day wouldn’t be valid for regulation under AP’s warranty?

[salnuaimi]

RG is rumored since long time . Maybe it will as i heard from my sales rep.

Go gray as its not the easiest as the first AP.

[7sins]

I'm not sure how high demand is for the SW, my SA said she could get me one in a few weeks if I really wanted it. Try an AP House, in my own experience, they have much better access to inventory. My .02, I think the novelty would wear off for me in short time on the SW, would need to be a part of a large collection, there are many other watches I want at $60k+.

[Steele]

What I love most about the piece is that "IT STARTS CONVERSATIONS!"

the design details layered in the piece make it the best 1159 on the catalog

Originally Posted by 7sins

I'm not sure how high demand is for the SW, my SA said she could get me one in a few weeks if I really wanted it. Try an AP House, in my own experience, they have much better access to inventory. My .02, I think the novelty would wear off for me in short time on the SW, would need to be a part of a large collection, there are many other watches I want at $60k+.

Great info as usual and I agree 100% this would NOT be my first pick for entry into the AP line....

[Armis]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I'm not sure how high demand is for the SW, my SA said she could get me one in a few weeks if I really wanted it. Try an AP House, in my own experience, they have much better access to inventory. My .02, I think the novelty would wear off for me in short time on the SW, would need to be a part of a large collection, there are many other watches I want at $60k+.

I agree that I don’t think it’s that difficult to get now since I had a similar experience where my SA had called me asking if I wanted one. So definitely stop by a boutique/house to discuss. Good luck.

[Halothane]

They come up for sale on the grey market from time to time. Probably the best/ most popular code - It can still be had for msrp (probably under msrp in the future).

[TheHolyLuck]

Always try with official boutique. After all it’s a code. They would be happy that a new customer comes and ask for a code and not always a RO. And at the same time you can expérience a RO and a ROO in the flesh, just for your pleasure.
My ROO 26238ti came back from service and I tested it face up and face side since I was having an horological experience the same day ( dissasembly and assembly of a 60 pièces movement) and the Guy was impressed ( totally flat line ). I don’t know what it exactly means.

[bioyuki]

Thanks all. Will definitely swing by the LA AP House when I’m down in SoCal, and hopefully y’all are right about the Starwheel becoming more available.

As for not picking the Starwheel as a first AP, honestly the rest of the collection just doesn’t speak to me. I would not buy a ROO, sure I’d pick up a RO at MSRP if it was available but that’s a long, long shot, and the only other Code I find interesting is the Aventurine dial perpetual calendar. And for that I would go grey for sure considering the massive discount to MSRP right now ��*♂️.

I’m curious, what would you all pick at ~$60k for a first AP?

[7sins]

Originally Posted by bioyuki

I’m curious, what would you all pick at ~$60k for a first AP?

From the grey market, easily 15202/16202. The one and only, you won't need anything else.

Alternatively, 26240 green, 26331 blue/silver or 26320 blue and come in $20k under budget for another watch. If you have smaller wrists then 26715st for a 38mm ROC, also under budget. 15510 if you need a larger size jumbo. The latter two I have seen allocated from the boutique as a first watch to friends, albeit rare and a bit of an anomaly.

Part of the joy of ownership is the RO bracelet, if you only want one AP then IMO, it should be a RO and nothing epitomizes the brand more than a jumbo. You mentioned you did not want to build a relationship with the brand, go grey and get exactly what you want then diversify your collection into other brands that peak your interest more.

[Steele]

The aventurine dial perpetually calendar is amazing.

But for 60k as a guy who loves BLUE like me, I would pick up the RO 15503BC (65k usd MSRP) all day long if the white gold is to heavy then the 15202ST those are 48-55k

[bioyuki]

Originally Posted by Steele

The aventurine dial perpetually calendar is amazing.

But for 60k as a guy who loves BLUE like me, I would pick up the RO 15503BC (65k usd MSRP) all day long if the white gold is to heavy then the 15202ST those are 48-55k

OK I had no idea the 15503BC existed and after looking at some videos/pics that’s pretty hot, especially since I don’t have a blue dial in the collection right now. Where are you seeing the $65k, most places I see have it at $75k+?

Also besides the minute track, what are the differences between the 15500 and 15510 generations?

[Steele]

Originally Posted by bioyuki

OK I had no idea the 15503BC existed and after looking at some videos/pics that’s pretty hot, especially since I don’t have a blue dial in the collection right now. Where are you seeing the $65k, most places I see have it at $75k+?

Also besides the minute track, what are the differences between the 15500 and 15510 generations?

Yeah Dont look on Chrono24 lol

[Steele]

Here you go brother, One went on Moda in an auction about 2 months maybe 3 months ago for 60k... SUMMER is always the right time to buy LOW.. Now is the holiday season so prices now until next summer will be highest but JUNE JULY AUGUST are always the best time to buy if you have to go Grey!