A Visit to AP Service Centre in Singapore (*Heavy pics content*)

[orangedial]

It was a cool drizzling Monday morning as I pulled my vehicle into a spacious car park located at a tranquil site off the busy Orchard Road. I was privileged to be invited to a private workshop tour at APSC to take a glimpse of the behind-the-scene actions of my favorite watch brand. To NO surprise, I would summarize upfront that this experience was typically excellent, a well-rendered hospitality one would expect from a top luxury brand. Of course, I'm full of confidence in the technical competency and quality of the watchmaking team after the tour.









With its tranquil location and contemporary layout, APSC presents a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and staff. There are many Royal Oak inspired decorations around, which signifies the importance of RO to AP.







Thomas Rubi, the Regional Customer Service Manager, was my tour guide of the day. Together with Maarten, the watchmaker trainer, they showed me around the workshop enthusiastically, explaining key processes involved in servicing every watch, as well as showing me the special tools, instruments, spare components, etc. that designed to support the servicing of the myriads of models AP has ever produced.

Two sets of 3-stage cleaning machine, one for pre-wash & the other for final wash


Machine for QC timing checks; Trays below are storage compartments for spare parts


Different types of RO bezel gaskets


One of the RO bezel gaskets. Check out the details and complexity


A set of O-rings and gaskets for ROO 25721ST


Forged carbon and anodized aluminum components for special high-end ROO


An anodized aluminum plate


As we discussed about the competency of the local servicing team, I'm not surprise to learn that, as the key regional service center, AP Singapore is capable of handling most of the movements, including high complications such as perpetual calendar and a specific model of Tourbillon. For case refinishing works, almost all processes are carried out by steady hands. It was really an eye-opener to see the demonstration by the veteran jeweler, with every polishing and chamfering executed with decisive precision. The training process appeared to be very structured, and the team also have several long-serving watchmakers and jewelers that add to the overall confidence of the technical quality from the service centre.





Chamfering


Polishing


The secret tool for the famous vertical brush finishing of the RO bezel


Training cases for watch assembly training


The complex ROC case construction


Besides servicing watches received from customers, APSC also conduct QC checks for brand new watches delivered fresh from Switzerland before dispatching them to boutique and retailers. I was quite lucky to see a few high-end models!

RO Concept Tourbillon in Titanium case


2012 RO Toubillon Extra Thin


The fabulous ChronAP


The originally scheduled one-hour tour was stretched to almost two thanks to the interesting info exchange. Oliviero popped by for a good 20 minutes chat and he shared something really interesting, a very special ROO LE, which I've promised not to disclose any detail before its official launch later this year. But if you have read though this far, I guess I'm safe to give you a 'sneak preview' of this very special LE to end my report of a very fascinating and enriching encounter with the AP service Centre in Singapore.

Oliviero, Thomas & Maarten


The soon-to-be-launched special ROO LE


Thanks for reading!