Feeling Lost - Potentially Distraught

[Stefanaf]

Truly a first world problem thread title... lamenting over a watch purchase, but I digress...

Background: 3 years ago, within a month, I got married, started my own consulting firm, got sued by my ex boss, and turned 30. My wife and I sacrificed everything financially, physically, and emotionally throughout my startup. Moving in with the parents, eating canned meat, and working a second job at night for a year was all worth it as I beat the lawsuit, stayed married, and the business has become a tremendous success. (Unfortunately I didn't stay 30).

I suppose I've given this detailed background because while my wife and I are now able to live a substantially greater lifestyle, I'm still very much in touch with how we got here. I don't have to shop on price anymore, but I have always, and still do, shop on value. I make very deliberate buying decisions for the long term - buy once cry once. On top of this I'm a very sentimental person, so it is unlikely that I would ever sell or trade something special that a loved one has given me.

If you're still reading this, I promise there's a point in here.

Next month is my 33rd birthday, and my wife has expressed that as her gift to me, she would like to purchase my first luxury watch. There are many watches I like, however it's fair to say that after having tried on the 15202 OR in the Paris boutique last year, I am infatuated with the AP Royal Oak.

Today I went into our local AP retailer in Dallas, and first tried on the 15450 knowing that I don't have massive (but also not tiny) wrists. It was too small, and I really didn't want it to be, but it was nonetheless. I next tried on the 15400 with the black face. It was MUCH better in terms of size, but I just had this lingering feeling that it was too large. I've read quite a bit about how large it wears, and I feel like it's so close to being perfect, and maybe it is and I'm just not used to wearing a large watch yet, but I still felt unsettled. Unsettled because if my wife buys such a special item for me, for such a special occasion, I would never want to feel self conscious because of its size, and therefore not wear it as often.

If I were buying this for myself, and ended up not caring for the watch, I would simply sell it, but with my wife giving it to me as a gift, in this situation, I couldn't bring myself to sell it.

Now, I know that there is a supposed Goldilocks, the 15202, but I've never tried one on in stainless. The gentleman working at the Dallas retailer told me, in the politest way possible, with regards to finding one, to dream on. In addition, the 15202 comes at a substantial premium, so when, where, and how much start to become factors.

I'm afraid I've begun to look at this like an algorithm, an emotional algorithm. I keep looking for a solution where I plug in a variety of factors and determine what watch would be best given my taste, wrist size, and it's availability and value. I've considered opening myself up to buying a different brand, but nothing else seems to quite turn my crank like the AP Royal Oak. I've even considered asking my wife to just postpone any sort of purchase until I feel more comfortable with a decision, but I know she really wants to give this gift to me.

I'll be trying the 15400 on again, and I'll take some pictures as well as bring others whose opinion I trust. However, as a long time reader on the forum, I'm very interested to hear what feedback and suggestions the community has.

If you read this whole thing, I hope I haven't come off as self absorbed through my historical recount. I simply wanted to set the scene to the best of my ability, and capitalize on the sage advice I so frequently encounter from this special group.

[DR.Golf]

Picture is worth a thousand words.

Get a picture and you will have several opinions very quickly. In the end it is you that wears the watch, if you and your wife love it, who cares. However you seem to care what others think so post pics.

[texasmade]

Dallas shop is lying to you about the substantial premium. One of the trusted sellers recently had a BNIB 15202 in SS for slightly below MSRP. AP isn't purposely limiting supply of the 15202 like PP is with the 5711. I'm pretty sure the boutique can get you one with a waitlist.

[aleeboy]

My Boutique offers 5% off the 15202 without batting an eyelid. Gorgeous lady too ;)

[bobernet]

You tried the 15202OR; you are infatuated as a result. Get the 15202OR.

[tyler1980]

There are conflicting reports depending on country of the SS 15202 being changed to boutique only by AP. In the UK that is the case and we don't have any AP boutiques either. It may be that your AD just can't get one. Last year AD's did get them from time to time, not any more.

They are hard to find, but not impossible. If that is the watch for you, and its a great choice, i would start by contacting AP directly to find out where they even stock them in the US. That at least gives you a starting point.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by bobernet

You tried the 15202OR; you are infatuated as a result. Get the 15202OR.

thats always a solution too

[GB-man]

The jumbo of course.

Let's get to the important part. What sort of canned meat ?

[tng11]

To me, it is the 15202 no contest. It is a classic that has withstood the test of time. It's small by today's watch standard, but far from being so small that it loses its masculinity. In my case, the 41mm size of the 15400 was really pushing the bounds of what I could wear, but I was admittedly attracted to it because of the price. I originally balked at the thought of paying a premium and full sticker for it from the boutique, but I made the dive and haven't looked back since.

[Busyboy]

I'd get the 15202...
It sounds like Goldilocks is a bit toppy to justify, as it would be.... So get ss

I agree with most on here. Certainly in UK its tricky to get. And ap have pulled supply from AD, but without a boutique here it does make for interesting times

On the USA market the prevalence and consequently the discount do seem to make things more palatable. Just call around..

Its a fantastic watch

I felt passionate about it for a few years before buying one, and it hasn't disappointed for a second, which is saying a lot considering how fast I can change

[Busyboy]

PS

Its best to base your watch size quandary decision on the view u get while checking the time... Not on the mirror reflection in the store

I find the angle you see watch in mirror accepts far bigger sizes than I am happy with from my normal point of view

[SC11]

For reference the London AP service centre acts as a boutique so boutique only pieces can be purchased via them but it's appointment only.

[masterserg]

Call DavidSW or Dan Dubinsky ... you'll get a 15202 in no time.

I would not buy sight unseen however. I was a little underwhelmed by it the first time I tried it on.

[sechsgang]

Originally Posted by Busyboy

PS

Its best to base your watch size quandary decision on the view u get while checking the time... Not on the mirror reflection in the store

I find the angle you see watch in mirror accepts far bigger sizes than I am happy with from my normal point of view

this is spot on accurate.

[wach16]

Id get the 15202...you wont be disappointed

[lapince]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Call DavidSW or Dan Dubinsky ... you'll get a 15202 in no time.

I would not buy sight unseen however. I was a little underwhelmed by it the first time I tried it on.

Yes call one of those guys, a 202 is nothing to get in comparison with a Patek 5711.

Funny I was underwhelmed when I tried the 15400, but not the 202, wether Rzg or SS, thought I had the perfect solution with a brand new 15300 blue dial, but underwhelmed as well, will go when I need cash for something.

Go 15202, ST or OR, great watch as far as wearing them for 5 minutes showed me, don't get the 15400, Genta watches are best ultra thin, like the Nautilus IMO

[HL65]

The 15202 is an amazing watch and for me the perfect watch. I also will tell you I would look at a 15300 if you can find a mint used one w known service history. It also is an amazing watch! The 15400 is not my style though as I think 39mm is the perfect size with perfect proportions.

Also please keep in mind the difference in thickness between a 15202 and 15300 is 1.3mm not exactly a big difference if you have a ruler handy!

They wear very similar IMHO as someone who owns both.

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by aleeboy

My Boutique offers 5% off the 15202 without batting an eyelid. Gorgeous lady too ;)

Your boutique is offering 5% off at 15202? An AP boutique or an AD? That's pretty insane if an AP boutique is offering that. But trusted sellers on this forum should be able to beat that pretty easily for you. I'd second the try the 15202 in person if possible. While I found it underwhelming compared to the amazing pictures on the internet, the historical significance, movement, resale, and thinness are why I choose it over the 37mm and 41mm options. If they made a 15202 in 41mm I'd get that probably (though then it would be something else not a 15202 :).

The 15202 really is great as a both a dress and casual watch, but if you want something with flare, it's the wrong watch (albeit in SS but not in RG).

[2nastie]

I'm in no way affiliated with wantuwant.com but Tim there has some great videos comparing the models you were talking about in terms of size and overall appearance on the wrist. He has videos for the white & black dial 15400 as well as the 15202 and 15300. I suggest taking a quick look at those videos. I believe he even takes a comparison of the 15400 and 15202 in one of the videos.

Good luck! I'm on board with the other members, the 15202 is the watch to get on the traditional line of the RO. The 39mm is the true "classic/original" and the timeless piece that won't go out of fashion.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

I'm in no way affiliated with wantuwant.com but Tim there has some great videos comparing the models you were talking about

just in case no one knows him by name he is the
"on my wrist, 6 1/3 inches, 16 centimeters in circumference " guy.

Great reviews, but that drives me crazy for some reason, probably because i have heard him say that at least 500 times now. Now I'm sure everyone knows who we are talking about.

[cda555]

Try different ADs or buy from a trusted seller. That AD was probably just trying to get you to buy one of the watches they already had in stock.

[AK797]

You fell in love with the 15202 so that is what you should buy, it's the iconic RO. I would go for the SS... initially... big chance you will upgrade to the RG in a couple of years but perhaps let's walk before we run, and tell your wife you might upgrade so you don't feel locked in as it was a gift. Gift purchases are nice in theory but in practice not always convenient if you hang around enabling forums like this and find you want other watches.

I presume in US these are not hard to find from an AD so ring around a few or as the guys say research trusted sellers like Davidsw or Takuya who can ship to your door.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by AK797

You fell in love with the 15202 so that is what you should buy, it's the iconic RO. I would go for the SS... initially... big chance you will upgrade to the RG in a couple of years but perhaps let's walk before we run, and tell your wife you might upgrade so you don't feel locked in as it was a gift. Gift purchases are nice in theory but in practice not always convenient if you hang around enabling forums like this and find you want other watches.

I presume in US these are not hard to find from an AD so ring around a few or as the guys say research trusted sellers like Davidsw or Takuya who can ship to your door.

Agreed...

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by HL65

I also will tell you I would look at a 15300 if you can find a mint used one w known service history. It also is an amazing watch! The 15400 is not my style though as I think 39mm is the perfect size with perfect proportions.

This x1,000.

To the OP: you seem new to high-end watches, so please research the 15300. You can read my thread (still on the first page of this forum) and the similar decision I went through. Big year in my life, turned 35, obsession with the RO, etc. In the end, the 15300 was the best option by far. Perfect size and a much more palatable price than the 15202. And, at least for me, I love staring at the seconds hand on my automatics.

If you can handle the 15202 price and its delicate-ness, then go for it! But you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you don't check out a 15300 in real life first. PM me if you'd like!

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

just in case no one knows him by name he is the
"on my wrist, 6 1/3 inches, 16 centimeters in circumference " guy.

Great reviews, but that drives me crazy for some reason, probably because i have heard him say that at least 500 times now. Now I'm sure everyone knows who we are talking about.

HAHAHA, I agree. Tend to skip past that part.

[Pedros]

You can definitely get a 15202 if you want one. If you put down a full deposit at a boutique you can have one within a few months. Probably even faster if you contact one of the trusted sellers on here. Good luck and don't settle if you think its not perfect.

[Hairdude1]

Get the 15202. Call a trusted seller and they will have sorted in no time

[VICI]

In reading your post, you sound so analytical.

Just try on what you like and make a purchase. You've apparently made some money and hopefully will make more.

If it's out of your financial comfort zone, don't buy until it is.

Deal with a reputable seller (PM me if you need recommendations) and get what you want.

Happy early birthday

[Golf&Watches]

Forget the 202 as a daily wearer if you are at all active and prone to the occasional bump. Also it has no second hand, so I therefore find it far less interesting that a 400 or 300, the latter you could possibly find NOS, it wears between the two. Enjoy the search.

[ILikeTacos]

I have bought both AP and Rolex from that AD that you are mentioning and think you might have just spoken to the wrong person there. The 15202 is getting harder to get, but you can have one in a couple months. Wait for the 15202, you won't regret it.