RO 38mm Chronograph opinions

[rajurama]

Im keen on pulling the trigger on the 38mm Chronograph in SS , as that's the best RO that my wrists can manage. I will be going grey as I don't have patience to play the AD games nor am I keen to add many APs.

Currently the market seems soft on these so might aswell check the SS wishlist.

I would like to get opinions from current owners or people who have tried these on, I am aware it has the old module movement so waiting for an upgraded version makes sense or go with the tried and tested FP module movement.

Adding random photos of me wearing the 43mm Offshore and 38mm RO to show what suits better.
Attachment 1469189Attachment 1469190

[Audevache]

IMHO, nothing beats a blue dial on a RO. There is something magic about this look, my 16202 Jumbo is probably the prettiest watch I own.

BYW, the offshore 37 has quite a different look, and to me is more of a women’s watch, while the RO Chronograph in 38 works well for a man with a smaller wrist.

[Akacoke]

Nothing wrong with either the grey or blue dial 38mm. If you can pass the the small lower sub dial. 37mm ROO Chronos for some reason doesn't really work for men even with small wrists . But the 37mm non Chrono ROOs works for men.

I'd like to add: having seeing the 38mm blue Chrono. The dial is gorgeous. Have depth to the finish and color.

[Ichiran]

I own the 38mm ROC and I think it is the perfect RO for a 6.5 wrist. The blue dial is beautiful.

[NYG1121]

Had one for a few years and wore it a lot. Have a jumbo now but I consider this the next best size for my wrist. The dial is a bit small though, bezel a bit too wide and there is some thickness to the watch. But only watch nerds notice that stuff

[mannyv11]

I have a wrist just over 7 inches and decided to go with the 38mm ROC. I tried on the 41 and I wasn’t a fan of how it fit so I stuck with the 38. I think it fits my arm awesome and don’t need the added dimensions of the 41.

[NYG1121]

I will also add, if going grey, why not just spend a bit more for the jumbo? I dont think the difference is that much more in the current market.

[matthew P]

I tried on the grey dial 38mm chrono,
Magnificent size on my 7 inch wrist


..Explorer, Spring Diver & APRO..

[rajurama]

Thank you all for your valuable inputs Appreciated

[robertengel]

I think the whole line is due for a refresh, one of the few models in the RO line without a transparent caseback and in house movement. Dial options are also uncharacteristically limited. 39mm would also work great for the RO chrono so maybe we get something new soon. So if you are dead set on this maybe it's a good time to get it but keep in mind that something new maybe on the horizon.

[srvrf]

I have about a 6.5" wrist and have the gray 38mm ROC and 39mm gold ROC. Both work very well in terms of size. The gray doesn't have the contrast/legibility of the blue, but has a cool monotone look.

So you could look at both sizes, and the 39mm ones have the 25860 and 26300 models.

[Steele]

I have a wrist just a hair under 7 inches here you go

Older 39mm version of the chrono RO vs my 15400

37mm RO black ceramic.(on my wrist) Wifeys watch

37mm RO chrono 100% for men vs 39mm RO QP

[7sins]

My wrists are a bit bigger than 6.5", you can see the 38MM ROC wears much better than the 41mm on me. The pushers make it wear slightly bigger than 38mm, my preference would be the light gold WG BC iteration or more reasonable, the white with blue subdials, previous generation. Been seeing the last gen silver 38mm ROC in the low 30s on MODA, which is an incredible deal. IMO, best AP for under $35k on the grey market.




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[westoque]

Personally a hard no due to the terribly placed date position. I really like the size but I think it’s sloppy to not have that date window centered. Not sure if it’s due to the movements positioning restrictions but not an excuse imo

[RiRi]

Originally Posted by westoque

Personally a hard no due to the terribly placed date position. I really like the size but I think it’s sloppy to not have that date window centered. Not sure if it’s due to the movements positioning restrictions but not an excuse imo

Agreed, that is why I've always preferred the 39mm versions ... might not be an in house movement, but one of the most solid and compact automatic chronograph movements ever built apparently - if you can live without a see through case back

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by westoque

Personally a hard no due to the terribly placed date position. I really like the size but I think it’s sloppy to not have that date window centered. Not sure if it’s due to the movements positioning restrictions but not an excuse imo

There are definitely design decisions that happen behind the scenes, and in this case it was probably to minimize modifications to the movement. Since there are gears, maybe the higher "stop" looked worse and was too close to the 3:00 sub-dial. The 39mm ROs to me are clearly the sweet spot. However, with the 38mm ones, since they match the date wheel to the dial, I don't even pay attention to it. Maybe it is also in part due to the larger sub-dials at 3:00 and 9:00 vs. 6:00. Obviously, there is a major emotional component to watches so not everyone is going to like them and that happens with almost every watch.

[westoque]

Look at this abomination. If I was the designer at one of the top watch brands, I would never release something like this. This is so far off from what I expect from a brand like AP where every mm is taken into account. I have high expectations and high bar for the watches I get from AP given the price and heritage. We as collectors SHOULD demand better quality from them imo.


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[Vipes]

I have the 38mm white dial ROC and it wears great. I had the 39mm ROC previously but the clasp was way too long. I haven’t had any issues with the F. Piguet chrono movements and find them reliable.

[brucethemanlee]

38mm ROC is perfect for my 6.75inch wrist and the blue is gorgeous!!

Wears great. Svelte on the wrist due to 38mm and seems appropriate given the trend to smaller watches.

Movement? Makes no difference to me TBH.




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[robertengel]

Originally Posted by westoque

Look at this abomination. If I was the designer at one of the top watch brands, I would never release something like this. This is so far off from what I expect from a brand like AP where every mm is taken into account. I have high expectations and high bar for the watches I get from AP given the price and heritage. We as collectors SHOULD demand better quality from them imo.


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Not their in house movement so they had to work with what they could get, next iteration should be in house with fewer compromises. That being said this position for the date on chrono movements is still common with AP but slightly better implementation

[IGY]

Thumbs up for me regarding the RO 38mm chrono. I don't own one, but have tried it on and it is a good size for modest to average sized wrists. It also maintains the thin profile that is a key characteristic of the RO.

Personally I own a 37mm RO with the Vaucher movement. I love it to bits. The movement is slightly thicker than the prior 36mm RO, but much more robust for everyday wear compared to the JLC derived movement. Although I love the 38mm RO chrono I think you are right to question the older movement. I am left wondering if they will also update the movement for the smaller chrono and if so whether they maintain the slim profile of the Frederic Piguet movement.

If you bought a 38mm watch now I doubt that it would cost you too much to own if you decided to upgrade to a new chrono later on if they bring one out. As regards grey or new, that is up to you. But I did not have to play bundling games to get the watch I wanted direct from AP in the UK. But I did have to wait for about 12 months. If you don't want to wait that long or if local AP Houses are playing stupid games then I can completely understand you going grey.

[BMess]

38mm Royal Oak Chrono is your best bet. The 43mm looks awful on your small wrist.

[AEV]

I'd wait and see if they will release 38mm chrono with inhouse movement next year. I can't have an AP with non inhouse movement and especially closed case back.
But everyone's different.

On that note, it's been said here and also in the media that the 15550 has Vaucher movement. Yet AP still puts the logo on the rotor and open case back.

While for the F.Piquet movement in the 38mm chrono, they don't do that.

Does anyone know why is this the case? Do they modify the Vaucher movement so then they can call it in-house?

[Il-Re]

Originally Posted by AEV

I'd wait and see if they will release 38mm chrono with inhouse movement next year. I can't have an AP with non inhouse movement and especially closed case back.
But everyone's different.

On that note, it's been said here and also in the media that the 15550 has Vaucher movement. Yet AP still puts the logo on the rotor and open case back.

While for the F.Piquet movement in the 38mm chrono, they don't do that.

Does anyone know why is this the case? Do they modify the Vaucher movement so then they can call it in-house?

I thought the 15500 movement was in-house?

[AEV]

Originally Posted by Il-Re

I thought the 15500 movement was in-house?

Yes, 15500 as well as 15510 (41mm time only RO) use in house 4302 caliber.

But we are talking 15550, the 37mm time only RO.

[RolexBHR]

For small to midsize wrist this is the best option after the jumbo. Ive had the blue panda for a few years now and it never ceases to put a smile on my face every time I wear it.

[messikens]

Originally Posted by rajurama

Im keen on pulling the trigger on the 38mm Chronograph in SS , as that's the best RO that my wrists can manage. I will be going grey as I don't have patience to play the AD games nor am I keen to add many APs.

Currently the market seems soft on these so might aswell check the SS wishlist.

I would like to get opinions from current owners or people who have tried these on, I am aware it has the old module movement so waiting for an upgraded version makes sense or go with the tried and tested FP module movement.

Adding random photos of me wearing the 43mm Offshore and 38mm RO to show what suits better.
Attachment 1469189Attachment 1469190

The 38mm is a fantastic choice, esp seeing some of the recent pics in this thread the silver face is really nice.

Please do NOT get the 43mm, it looks laughable on your wrist...

Wouldn't be too concerned about movements, the current movement is just fine. A new movement is just that, it won't suddenly have an AI function

[Palex]

Originally Posted by BMess

38mm Royal Oak Chrono is your best bet. The 43mm looks awful on your small wrist.

Very nice!

[matthew P]

Originally Posted by BMess

38mm Royal Oak Chrono is your best bet. The 43mm looks awful on your small wrist.

Fantastic photos.
I felt this watch and size looked a lot better in person that it does in photos but you have captured what I liked when I experienced this watch on person. The date window jumped out a lot less than I expected.


..Explorer, Spring Diver & APRO..

[GW44]

Originally Posted by 7sins

My wrists are a bit bigger than 6.5", you can see the 38MM ROC wears much better than the 41mm on me. The pushers make it wear slightly bigger than 38mm, my preference would be the light gold WG BC iteration or more reasonable, the white with blue subdials, previous generation. Been seeing the last gen silver 38mm ROC in the low 30s on MODA, which is an incredible deal. IMO, best AP for under $35k on the grey market.



.

I’ve always really loved this ROC but the two times I’ve tried on a 38mm AP I can barely get it onto my wrist…..which isn’t that large at 7.25”.

My Jumbo is probably as small as I could go and I love my 41mm Royal Oaks.

Think I need to revisit a 38mm and especially the 26315st