Why RC Rose Gold rather than Ceramic Bezel?

[33JS]

As per the rhread title, why do people tend towards the rose gold rubber clad rather than the ceramic bezel'd offshore chrono model?

I think the ceramic looks much better, particularly given the hour markers...

[FightOnSC!]

could be a number of things:

1.the price difference (even in this league/category, the price difference could make one choose the lesser expensive, the 42)

2.you got more gold in the 42mm (under the rubber bezel is solid gold. the ceramic (or cermet to be more accurate) model is just that...cermet bezel.

3. the size. 44mm is big. unless you got the wrists for it, the 42mm would most likely be a better fit

4. preferences in dial. the 42mm has the big arabic numerals.

[33JS]

Originally Posted by FightOnSC!

could be a number of things:

1.the price difference (even in this league/category, the price difference could make one choose the lesser expensive, the 42)

2.you got more gold in the 42mm (under the rubber bezel is solid gold. the ceramic (or cermet to be more accurate) model is just that...cermet bezel.

3. the size. 44mm is big. unless you got the wrists for it, the 42mm would most likely be a better fit

4. preferences in dial. the 42mm has the big arabic numerals.

Good points, thanks for answering!

The one that interests me most is No.4. Why would people choose those butchered Arabic numerals over the more balanced, classic batton hour markers as seen on the RO models??

[jakologo]

1, 3 and 4 above!

[FightOnSC!]

Originally Posted by 33JS

Good points, thanks for answering!

The one that interests me most is No.4. Why would people choose those butchered Arabic numerals over the more balanced, classic batton hour markers as seen on the RO models??

I'm particularly fond of those "butchered" arabic numerals as two of my watches have them

like anything in life, it's all a matter of personal preference. I think the arabic numerals give the dial some character and something to make it different than other watches...gives it a little "fun" factor. If you want it to look more serious or under the radar there's the stick dial markers on the newer models.

so, if you like stick dials, then by all means go for the 44mm models. trust me, as much as I pine for a 44mm Rose Gold model (or the forged carbon for that matter), the big pushers and bigger case size make my wrist feel like it needs some plastic surgery/augmentation to "fill it out". the updated 42mm rose gold looks better and better to me every day after that realization (and hey, it's going to save me money, the new 44mm rose gold isn't cheap!)

[33JS]

Originally Posted by FightOnSC!

I'm particularly fond of those "butchered" arabic numerals as two of my watches have them

like anything in life, it's all a matter of personal preference. I think the arabic numerals give the dial some character and something to make it different than other watches...gives it a little "fun" factor. If you want it to look more serious or under the radar there's the stick dial markers on the newer models.

so, if you like stick dials, then by all means go for the 44mm models. trust me, as much as I pine for a 44mm Rose Gold model (or the forged carbon for that matter), the big pushers and bigger case size make my wrist feel like it needs some plastic surgery/augmentation to "fill it out". the updated 42mm rose gold looks better and better to me every day after that realization (and hey, it's going to save me money, the new 44mm rose gold isn't cheap!)

An AD that I've recently spoken with has offered me 22% off the newly lowered RRP and on top I get my 16.7% sales tax back, so I was thinking of shooting for gold, as it were... So essentially a new AD supplied RG with ceramic bezel for $30,570!! Makes sense then to go for the bigger and more expensive model in my eyes.

I take onboard what you say about personal preferences though, each to their own or there'd be no variety in life, and it'd be very dull indeed!

[AK797]

I prefer the 42 RC RG because of the size 42 but wears like a 44mm wears perfect for my 7.25 wrist. The 44/46mm unless you have 7.5 inch wrists screams wannabe rapper/look at me, look at me! I also prefer the butchered arabic numbers, as I think the sticks look boring and cheap. And the pushers are way too big on the 44, makes the watch look too much like a spacecraft and not enough like a watch.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by AK797

I prefer the 42 RC RG because of the size 42 but wears like a 44mm wears perfect for my 7.25 wrist. The 44/46mm unless you have 7.5 inch wrists screams wannabe rapper/look at me, look at me! I also prefer the butchered arabic numbers, as I think the sticks look boring and cheap. And the pushers are way too big on the 44, makes the watch look too much like a spacecraft and not enough like a watch.

I agree with much of the above. I feel relatively comfortable wearing my rgrc in front of clients as the rubber somehow tones the overall look down. There is no way that I would wear the 44mm in front of clients, I like the watch but its just too bling for me to be at ease.

Also I'm quite conscious of that 'look at me' style as it can lead to unwanted attention from the wrong end of society on the lookout for 'rich' targets.

[conkers]

Platinum Novelty a great option if you feel the RG is a little flashy!

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by 33JS

An AD that I've recently spoken with has offered me 22% off the newly lowered RRP and on top I get my 16.7% sales tax back, so I was thinking of shooting for gold, as it were... So essentially a new AD supplied RG with ceramic bezel for $30,570!! Makes sense then to go for the bigger and more expensive model in my eyes.

I take onboard what you say about personal preferences though, each to their own or there'd be no variety in life, and it'd be very dull indeed!

Which dealer is this for 30k!?!?!?!?!? I want one at that price

[Dickson Lim]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

Which dealer is this for 30k!?!?!?!?!? I want one at that price

Don't quite understand the 16.8% sales tax. How would it be possible for an AD to give 22+16.8% discount with the US RRP? Mind to elaborate brother?

[singe89]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

Which dealer is this for 30k!?!?!?!?!? I want one at that price

Agreed. I would buy tomorrow at that price.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by conkers

Platinum Novelty a great option if you feel the RG is a little flashy!

Exactly, that is the next one for me. its all down to your photos Conkers.

[Cru Jones]

To my eyes, the 42 model is more elegant (size plus pushers, especially), which is appropriate for a RG piece, but, that's just my personal preference.

[conkers]

Originally Posted by AshAP

Exactly, that is the next one for me. its all down to your photos Conkers.

Sorry I am a bad influence!!

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by conkers

Sorry I am a bad influence!!

Not at all, I was going to get the MS le but every time I looked at it I knew that it didn't really do it for me. The platinum version is amazing, my only concern is that I may not wear my panda once I get it so I need to consider selling that.

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

To my eyes, the 42 model is more elegant (size plus pushers, especially), which is appropriate for a RG piece, but, that's just my personal preference.

X2!

I considered both but it was not a tough decision. The RCRC for me is perfect at 42mm. Not to big or small for my wrist size and it has a classic dial which I will never tire of looking at.

[simbal]

Originally Posted by singe89

Agreed. I would buy tomorrow at that price.

I would buy as many as they have at $30 k a piece!

[conkers]

Originally Posted by AshAP

.......my only concern is that I may not wear my panda once I get it so I need to consider selling that.

I understand your point, I am selling my GD and 57th St as don't wear them any more.

[TSW]

Love them both!

[33JS]

Originally Posted by Dickson Lim

Don't quite understand the 16.8% sales tax. How would it be possible for an AD to give 22+16.8% discount with the US RRP? Mind to elaborate brother?

It's not in the US, it's in Europe. If someone from the US travelled to a European AD they would get any discount they can negotiate and then tax free sales on top of that. In Norway sales tax removal means a 20% drop in price on top of discounts.

There are now "soon to be ex-ADs' that will give huge discounts before they lose the dealership just to piss AP off.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by conkers

Sorry I am a bad influence!!

Originally Posted by 33JS

It's not in the US, it's in Europe. If someone from the US travelled to a European AD they would get any discount they can negotiate and then tax free sales on top of that. In Norway sales tax removal means a 20% drop in price on top of discounts.

There are now "soon to be ex-ADs' that will give huge discounts before they lose the dealership just to piss AP off.

It doesn't make commercial sense to sell product cheap just to piss off a supplier. It's far more likely that these former ADs will still sell at the highest price that they can get, it's business at the end of the day.

[s14roller]

Originally Posted by 33JS

It's not in the US, it's in Europe. If someone from the US travelled to a European AD they would get any discount they can negotiate and then tax free sales on top of that. In Norway sales tax removal means a 20% drop in price on top of discounts.

There are now "soon to be ex-ADs' that will give huge discounts before they lose the dealership just to piss AP off.

I think the math is off somewhere...unless you meant it was for the 42mm RC.

At what you are proposing, all of us could take a free vacation there, buy the watch, and net equal to how much it would be here in the States even with a large discount.

In order for your math to work, you are suggesting a $10K usd retail watch is also $10k usd there but has 20% tax also built in (so actually $8.3k list)...

[SubKing]

to the OP, to answer your question, esp being that I have owned both RG RC and currently own RG 44mm ceramic. I do love everything about the RC ROO except for the Rubber. Not because of the way it looks, but because of the way it looks over time..

My first AP I ever purchased years ago was a steel rubber clad, I wore it a lot for 2 years before I sold it off. The rubber gets so shiny on the bezel and the pushers from wear and from constant use from natural exposures. after awhile, you will get some cracking on the rubber and as most have stated above, the rubber is solid gold coated in rubber and it costs an arm and a leg for a new bezel on the RG RC ROO.

the watch is very sharp and has been an iconic ROO for many years, but the fact is, given the new times and new materials being invented and used, the future is ceramic and not rubber with AP. This has been made very clear with the direction they are taking the new models in.

Over time, the ceramic wears much better and will look more new due to it's scratch resistant properties.

The RG RC is more of a top heavy watch to wear than it's new 44mm counter part, which is more balanced and much more comfortable IMO due to the use of a huge tang buckle instead of the typical AP Deployant clasp. The Deployant clasps for me are very uncomfortable unless you have the clasp flipped upside down which is a cure AP uses to solve such discomfort.

If size is an issue, then stick with the 42mm size. But I say from personal experience, over time, the rubber loses it's nice flat textured look and gets very smooth and shiny, and eventually the rubber cracks after time.

There are 42mm RG ROO's out there which have exposed solid gold bezels that can be had if this is what you're after.

I don't regret getting rid of both my rubber clads, esp my last gold one for this new 44mm ROO. I love the exposed movement in the back along with all the other new features it contains.
In the end, if you have the Money, then buy what you like, if it's the RC, the just buy a new bezel when your current one gets old and worn, I think its around 4k + for a new Rubberclad bezel. My friend got 8 good years out of his RG RC bezel before he had to cough up the money on a new one during service.

Both are excellent choices with their own faults and issues.

[AshAP]

Shit! 4k for a new bezel....that's insane. If they charge for new gold then I think I'll unscrew mine and sell it to the local jeweller! Or failing that when the rubber starts to look crap I'll cut it off and pimp up the watch with the gold bezel.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by AshAP

Shit! 4k for a new bezel....that's insane. If they charge for new gold then I think I'll unscrew mine and sell it to the local jeweller! Or failing that when the rubber starts to look crap I'll cut it off and pimp up the watch with the gold bezel.

people have stripped off the thin rubber layer on their rubber clads. it actually looks excellent sporting it with the solid gold bezel. looks the same under the rubber as a normal AP gold bezel.. Just have to have it refinished. Due to the rubber being removed the screws around the bezel site like .025 mm higher but you cant even notice it.

[AshAP]

Sounds cool....I'm tempted to cut it off now!

[SubKing]

here is a pic of a standard SS RC bezel, the gold one is exactly the same. sand blasted bezel.. just have to have it refinished. it really is a very thin layer of rubber as you can see from these pics below.

[33JS]

Originally Posted by s14roller

I think the math is off somewhere...unless you meant it was for the 42mm RC.

At what you are proposing, all of us could take a free vacation there, buy the watch, and net equal to how much it would be here in the States even with a large discount.

In order for your math to work, you are suggesting a $10K usd retail watch is also $10k usd there but has 20% tax also built in (so actually $8.3k list)...

That's why US prices are usually lower than UK prices.

Here's how it worked out for me before:

UK RRP on my Diver was £13,530. I got 20% discount which left £10,824 which includes 20% sales tax. As a person living overseas I could claim my sales tax back meaning £10,824 / 1.2 = £9020, or $13,640 US. What's the RRP pf the Diver in the US??

It's the same for any model, but I've been offered 22% now. So, £30,800 - 22% = £24,204, less sales tax is £20,204 / 1.2 = £20,020 or at today's exchange rate = $30,530.


I think people buying luxury watches seriously underestimate the dealer's mark-up!

[33JS]

Originally Posted by SubKing

to the OP, to answer your question, esp being that I have owned both RG RC and currently own RG 44mm ceramic. I do love everything about the RC ROO except for the Rubber. Not because of the way it looks, but because of the way it looks over time..

My first AP I ever purchased years ago was a steel rubber clad, I wore it a lot for 2 years before I sold it off. The rubber gets so shiny on the bezel and the pushers from wear and from constant use from natural exposures. after awhile, you will get some cracking on the rubber and as most have stated above, the rubber is solid gold coated in rubber and it costs an arm and a leg for a new bezel on the RG RC ROO.

the watch is very sharp and has been an iconic ROO for many years, but the fact is, given the new times and new materials being invented and used, the future is ceramic and not rubber with AP. This has been made very clear with the direction they are taking the new models in.

Over time, the ceramic wears much better and will look more new due to it's scratch resistant properties.

The RG RC is more of a top heavy watch to wear than it's new 44mm counter part, which is more balanced and much more comfortable IMO due to the use of a huge tang buckle instead of the typical AP Deployant clasp. The Deployant clasps for me are very uncomfortable unless you have the clasp flipped upside down which is a cure AP uses to solve such discomfort.

If size is an issue, then stick with the 42mm size. But I say from personal experience, over time, the rubber loses it's nice flat textured look and gets very smooth and shiny, and eventually the rubber cracks after time.

There are 42mm RG ROO's out there which have exposed solid gold bezels that can be had if this is what you're after.

I don't regret getting rid of both my rubber clads, esp my last gold one for this new 44mm ROO. I love the exposed movement in the back along with all the other new features it contains.
In the end, if you have the Money, then buy what you like, if it's the RC, the just buy a new bezel when your current one gets old and worn, I think its around 4k + for a new Rubberclad bezel. My friend got 8 good years out of his RG RC bezel before he had to cough up the money on a new one during service.

Both are excellent choices with their own faults and issues.

That's a great post, thankyou for the post and info. I've always had a bit of a concern on just how time would affect the rubber coating on the bezel of the RC. That and the Arabics really drives me towards the 44mm ceramic, and from your wrist-shot, WOW!

Stunning!

Fortunately I do also have the build to carry the larger size.