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Old 1 May 2023, 03:15 AM   #1
Palex
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Incoming: 26574st (dial color 03) QP RO

For about a year I was seriously thinking of adding a 26574 to my collection. Been loving this watch for years and finally made the decision to go for it. October last year, my SA “surprised” me with a 50years blue 15550, which was super nice, because I had turned 50 in 2022.

The QP was still on my mind, but the 15550 blurred this a bit. Last February I met my SA again and again stated my interest in the Perpetual Calendar Royal Oak. Had read a lot about the heritage of AP QP’s in several AP books. I just had to have one! Last week, my SA called me to bring the good news! A 26574st was waiting for me!

In the latest dial variation (since 2022), a lighter blue with cloud 50 subdials. Imho the best iteration! I can think of no nicer watch. The complication, the dial color, the model. I am used to some smaller cases (15450, 15550, 25807), but I really like the broader bracelet of the 26574.
It gives the watch some more wrist presence.

I didn’t have too much time to take good pictures, but here are some, shot with my iPhone.







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Old 1 May 2023, 03:18 AM   #2
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Looks incredible, hopefully I’ll be allocated one of these at some point.


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Old 1 May 2023, 03:56 AM   #3
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Incredible. Enjoy!
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Old 1 May 2023, 04:20 AM   #4
l_chissle
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This dial looks amazing in person. Photos don't do this justice
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Old 1 May 2023, 05:00 AM   #5
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That looks really great! Congratulations


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Old 1 May 2023, 05:44 AM   #6
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Looks incredible, hopefully I’ll be allocated one of these at some point.


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Genuine question Ash. How do you feel about the huge price hikes of this reference?

This QP was absolutely on my AP wish list a couple of years ago when it was a £63k watch but now it’s £91k I’m really not sure I can ever justify that……and with another price increase it becomes a six figure POA piece too.
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Old 1 May 2023, 05:57 AM   #7
Palex
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Genuine question Ash. How do you feel about the huge price hikes of this reference?

This QP was absolutely on my AP wish list a couple of years ago when it was a £63k watch but now it’s £91k I’m really not sure I can ever justify that……and with another price increase it becomes a six figure POA piece too.

I know you ask Ash, but also an answer from me. I had showed interest in this watch last year, when it was 21K “cheaper”. That is a hard one to swallow. But nevertheless… comparing to other brands… and keeping in mind resale if necessary.. trying to justify it for myself… I have no buyers remorse however!
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Old 1 May 2023, 06:01 AM   #8
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Hey Gareth, it’s a very good point but I haven’t been allocated the watch yet so I can’t get worked up over the cost. It may well be that it’ll end up costing too much for me.


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Old 1 May 2023, 06:50 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Palex View Post
I know you ask Ash, but also an answer from me. I had showed interest in this watch last year, when it was 21K “cheaper”. That is a hard one to swallow. But nevertheless… comparing to other brands… and keeping in mind resale if necessary.. trying to justify it for myself… I have no buyers remorse however!
Sure and please don’t take my question in any other way than I’m incredibly jealous you’ve been allocated this incredible reference and that I wish you many happy years enjoying it.

We all have differing “value” metrics and, let’s be honest, to 98% of people what we spend on watches is utterly insane

Some time ago the Rose Gold QP was my end game AP and was a c. £80/£90k outlay but now the Steel QP occupies that same price point and it (both Steel or Titanium and certainly precious metal) just feels so far out of reach now that I personally cannot justify or afford any AP QP and that really bothers me but it is what it is I guess.

Enjoy
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Old 1 May 2023, 06:51 AM   #10
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Hey Gareth, it’s a very good point but I haven’t been allocated the watch yet so I can’t get worked up over the cost. It may well be that it’ll end up costing too much for me.


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I like your sanguine attitude Ash

What will be, will be.
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Old 1 May 2023, 07:00 AM   #11
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I like your sanguine attitude Ash

What will be, will be.

I’m still waiting for a blue dial 5726 and that looks a bit nearer as I spoke to the AD last week at which point I thought it was prudent to check the current retail price and that watch has gone up by around £8k since I requested it which was a bit of a shock. These watches often take so long to get an allocation for that I think for a guy like me the only thing I can do is wait for an allocation and then see if the price is worth it according to circumstances at the time.


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Old 1 May 2023, 07:25 AM   #12
Palex
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Sure and please don’t take my question in any other way than I’m incredibly jealous you’ve been allocated this incredible reference and that I wish you many happy years enjoying it.

We all have differing “value” metrics and, let’s be honest, to 98% of people what we spend on watches is utterly insane

Some time ago the Rose Gold QP was my end game AP and was a c. £80/£90k outlay but now the Steel QP occupies that same price point and it (both Steel or Titanium and certainly precious metal) just feels so far out of reach now that I personally cannot justify or afford any AP QP and that really bothers me but it is what it is I guess.

Enjoy

I completely understand you. And also think it is insane what we spend. It’s madness

On the other hand, if you lease or buy a 100K car, (which depreciates a lot more), nobody thinks anything of it.
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Old 1 May 2023, 10:47 AM   #13
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Stunning AP! Congrats and thanks for sharing.


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Old 1 May 2023, 11:46 AM   #14
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Congrats! Mine says hello.
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PP 5205G-013/ PP 5212A / AP 15416CE /26574 st QP/ AP 50th 16202st /AP 15500st Black / AP 26405CE / AP 77350CE / AP 15551st / AP 67540sk / Rolex 116500 Panda / Rolex 126710 BLRO / Rolex 126610LV Green / Rolex 16570 Black/ Rolex 116300 Blue / Rolex 126710 BLNR / Rolex 126710 GRNR
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Old 1 May 2023, 03:21 PM   #15
Armis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Palex View Post
In the latest dial variation (since 2022), a lighter blue with cloud 50 subdials. Imho the best iteration! I can think of no nicer watch. The complication, the dial color, the model. I am used to some smaller cases (15450, 15550, 25807), but I really like the broader bracelet of the 26574.
It gives the watch some more wrist presence.
Beautiful acquisition, congratulations!
I really like this lighter dial variant…does AP formally number these different iterations? I ask because you referenced it as 03, so I am curious if these differences are at least planned changes as opposed to random production batch outputs (if that makes sense).

The price jump from recent year is what it is, especially as it can never go back to previous level. So, whomever gets allocated can hopefully pull the trigger at that time since ongoing price increases appears to be the new norm.

Please do share more wrist shots as I love the thicker bracelet and presence of this piece compared to the thinned bracelet of my 15510.
Thank you.
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Old 1 May 2023, 03:37 PM   #16
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Congrats! Mine says hello.
Love this
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Old 1 May 2023, 03:50 PM   #17
messikens
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Congratulations, grail piece right there
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Old 1 May 2023, 05:43 PM   #18
gregouille
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Great piece, one of my favourite with the titanium version (USA limited)!
I ask this piece in 2021 and this was in my top list. My SA told me I’ll be allocated one this year however looking at the price increase on this particular model I will have to let it go…

I have the money but I just can’t justify the price on my side.

Enjoy it’s a beautiful piece !!
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Old 1 May 2023, 06:21 PM   #19
Palex
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Thank you all for the nice reactions!

I can see that the price is becoming a “thing” with this oiece. However, that is all subjective. I do not think that they will lower in price, the coming years, so the amount you spend on it, is not vanished or something. It is all a matter of choices, in the end.
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Old 1 May 2023, 06:37 PM   #20
Palex
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Beautiful acquisition, congratulations!
I really like this lighter dial variant…does AP formally number these different iterations? I ask because you referenced it as 03, so I am curious if these differences are at least planned changes as opposed to random production batch outputs (if that makes sense).

In this case, I don’t think it is just a random variation in the batch. It is a different color, with a different number. It had a press release also in 2021 I think.

Here you can read something about it:

https://monochrome-watches.com/new-s...1-specs-price/
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Old 1 May 2023, 07:12 PM   #21
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Beautiful acquisition, congratulations!
I really like this lighter dial variant…does AP formally number these different iterations? I ask because you referenced it as 03, so I am curious if these differences are at least planned changes as opposed to random production batch outputs (if that makes sense).
.
The .03 refers to the colour variation of the dial for the specific reference. It isn't "the third batch"
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Old 1 May 2023, 07:49 PM   #22
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Congrats once again on this phenomenal piece. For me it's up there at the top of the list with the 15407st, especially as the QP has been quite important for AP and they have long history with that complication.
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Old 1 May 2023, 08:12 PM   #23
l_chissle
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Congrats! Mine says hello.
This pic captures the beauty of this dial, absolutely love it!
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Old 1 May 2023, 08:36 PM   #24
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Stunning - unaffordable for most of us, but stunning!
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Old 1 May 2023, 09:24 PM   #25
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Congratulations.
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Old 2 May 2023, 01:07 AM   #26
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such a beautiful piece, congrats!
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Old 2 May 2023, 02:27 AM   #27
Palex
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This pic captures the beauty of this dial, absolutely love it!

Sometimes blue, sometimes grey(ish), sometimes bit lilac. Mostly light blue

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Old 2 May 2023, 02:37 AM   #28
l_chissle
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Sometimes blue, sometimes grey(ish), sometimes bit lilac. Mostly light blue

There we go, amazing!!!

I think this will be a future classic, totally underrated.
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Old 2 May 2023, 03:07 AM   #29
Palex
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There we go, amazing!!!

I think this will be a future classic, totally underrated.



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Old 2 May 2023, 06:27 AM   #30
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Congratulations. I too just picked one up, after 4-5 years of trying to obtain I finally had the opportunity and the wait was worth it. In my opinion an end game watch.
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