Thing to Consider Before Buying a Pre-Owned AP!!!

[Catsgomeowmeow]

Thank you for your post Submarino.
I wanted the RO 15400 really bad and even though your post is great, it has put me off of pulling the trigger. The finances aren't the problem, but reading the comments I got the impression that the RO is a "sports watch" that could not even survive a quick twist of the wrist. I'm kind of heart broken since I really looked forward to owning one.

Do you think the offshore diver is more robust than the 15400?

[Humble michael]

Wow! Hard to believe some of these comments. I have a RO 15400
I bought used ( about 8 mos old) w box and papers about 3 years ago. I enjoy wearing it frequently and although I am always working on repairs on my rental properties, I have never had a problem w it. I just bought a Panda ( about 6mos old) w box and papers and love it! Frankly although I sent the warrenty papers in I really don't care about warrenty. I have 3 pp's including a Nautilus I love, 2 Rolex's , 3 Audemars- all purchased w box and papers used-anyone of which I can always sell and get what I paid and on most make a substantial profit. Do you homework, be sure to get box and papers and enjoy a wonderful timepiece- dare I say investment ?

[Humble michael]

Here they are

[Humble michael]

Whoops that was a Breitling I want to sell ha! Here is the other RO

[locutus49]

So my takeaway from this thread is that APs are finicky and expensive to maintain. But beautiful. I find it hard to believe that modern sports watches like AP or PP are that delicate.

[ros]

Anything specific to look out for when buying a 44mm Novelty that's a few years old from a trusted seller (box, papers). One in particular I wanted has just been serviced.

It's a 2015 I Series.

I prefer the now "discontinued" novelties and have read the forum endlessly but would appreciate any advice

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by ros

Anything specific to look out for when buying a 44mm Novelty that's a few years old from a trusted seller (box, papers). One in particular I wanted has just been serviced.

It's a 2015 I Series.

I prefer the now "discontinued" novelties and have read the forum endlessly but would appreciate any advice

Just make sure the service was done by APSC. I would also ask why a 2 year old watch was just serviced.

Also, if you have not yet seen both watches side by side, head on over to selfridges as they have both watches currently.

[Bello_nyc]

Great advice thanks !!

[holdtime]

Originally Posted by Submarino

I hope this can become a sticky on the AP Forum as I believe a lot of people considering buying a pre-owned AP would benefit from the advice I am giving out.

Always keep in mind the following when making a purchase of a pre-owned AP. Especially when buying a Royal Oak or a Royal Oak Offshore.

1. If you own a vintage AP and don't know the service history on the watch do not send it in for service at AP unless it stops running. Don't let an independent watchmaker work on a vintage AP no matter what. The money you save today, you'll have to pay it tomorrow.

2. If you buy a pre-owned modern AP RO or ROO try to get one that is not very old (F series and up) ideally with some service history and in overall great shape. Don't by a beater even if it's a good deal! You'll pay the difference afterwards.

3. If you buy a 5402 be very careful with the crown and avoid using the quick-set calendar advance feature that comes with cal. 2121. (While the watch doesn't have a date setting crown position, you can quickly advance the date by going with the hands past midnight to around 1am or 2am and then back to 10pm to adjust the date without having to go around 24hrs for each day). This is not an isolated case as on the four 5402s that I've owned I always had problems with the crown stem breaking and the crown coming off will pulling it out to set the time. On one of them this happened twice in a two-year period. When pulling the crown out to set the time, pull very slowly! Another thing to consider will be to wind the watch via the crown by turning it no more than 5-7 turns.

4. On 5402s even after being serviced, AP doesn't guarantee any water-resistance. Don't even get it wet while washing your hands.

5. If you buy a ROO (Pre F-series) make sure it comes with service papers or service history. Otherwise stay away, unless you know the owner or the watch is really flawless.

6. Do not have the watch or bezel polished by independents. You might lose the AP bevels and bezel will become rounded over time and thin out. AP uses a special machine to keep the octagonal shape intact and polished/brushed areas perfectly balanced.

7. If you buy an AP still under warranty make sure to get the warranty registered and get your third year sticker. If the warranty is close to expire send the watch in and work will be done under warranty giving you another 2 years.

8. If you open a case back on a ROO do not attempt to open the anti-magnetic casing that holds the movement inside as those screws are very delicate. If you open the case back you are voiding any warranty on the watch as AP will know it was opened. Get it pressured test it if you do.

9. If you want to go AP make sure you have done your research, tried the watch on and have money ready for the service when the time comes. As Ken accurately mentioned, the service on modern APs will be expensive but not as expensive as it is on a Vintage piece like mine unless something is seriously wrong or other watchmakers before your ownership messed up the movement.

10. Stay away from a RO Quartz as changing the battery is something that needs to be done every 2-3 years. To change the battery you need to disassemble the whole watch. Remove the bezel, dial, hands, crown, etc. to access the movement and then replace the battery. If done by an independent there are a ton of things that can go wrong. Then again you will need to have AP do it and it gets really pricey even when it's just a battery change as they will still force you to do a periodic service.

I hope other owners and future owners learn from my experience and use this advice moving forward. I would hate to see anyone else go through the ordeals I've been dealing with this week.

Grate article. Follow advise got a new 15400.03 from AD .
Thanks good Advise.

[crisc416]

Thanks for the great information. AP is definitely on my radar and it's a timepiece that I really want to own in the near future!

[fosbibr]

What happened around the F series? Why do you use this as a delineating time frame?

TIA

[Bowtrout]

Great Advice!
Thanks

[BABKA]

I just found this thread and it is excellent advice! There are good deals on beat up pieces and I have seen polish jobs from watchmakers and can tell you that they do not even come close to how AP refinishes. These specific polishing wheels are only located in Clearwater FL and I have yet to see a polish job come out looking AP factory fresh! So great advice and thanks!

[Volyc]

Hello AP enthusiasts, I'm new to the forum. Hoping that some of you can answer my doubts.

Just last week, I was offered a very good deal of AP15202ST Blue Dial, year of 2016. I was very interested with AP15400 blue dial actually until I saw the AP15202ST in person. I was blown away.

Anyway, the AP15202ST comes with a deep scratch on the bracelet. Is it a good idea to polish the bracelet? I've heard that polishing may drop the watch value on certain models.

Or is it possible to just change the 1 plate of the bracelet?

I live in Jakarta Indonesia and we don't have AP service center here. Can you recommend the nearest one?

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks

[daveo5]

Hi and thanks for the info. I've just ordered a pre-owned ROO, a 140800ST, D series. Thankfully I purchased it from an AP dealer. They advised me they inspected the watch and found it keeping time within limits. They also warranty the watch for 15 months. It's a great looking watch, black dial, stainless steel. Also have a AP boutique here in Las Vegas that is a service center.

[soran]

Valuable info. Thanks

[diegohwang]

Useful info! Will take all into account! Thx


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[Mach 5]

great info!

[korneevy]

Wow and I was considering a quartz RO for my wife as a next year's bday present...paying close to $1,000 for a battery change every 2-3 years is outrageous and I wonder who was the genius designer who come up with such an impractical design (from the owner's stand point of course - AP must love it). Thanks for saving me a bundle - I will look at quartz PP instead.

[franku26]

Hello guys, I’m new to this forum. I currently have a 2018 sub in black date and a hulk. Someone is offering to trade me their blue AP royal oal chronograph from 2016 for my 2018 date black sub. Is this a good deal? He can get me the box and warranty card. No manuals. I really need help because I like the AP and it’d be something new but I’m not well versed in AP and don’t know if this is a good deal. Thank you for the help!

[Rabirx786]

Great info


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[JoesWatches]

Great advise- thanks!

[kached]

I'm looking at getting a D-series 36mm royal oak - would they be considered and what would the service costs be like?

[Pouring2010]

Originally Posted by kached

I'm looking at getting a D-series 36mm royal oak - would they be considered and what would the service costs be like?

I bought one of these in the past month. Its a suoer watch, a bit small on my 7inch wrist. I assume and has not investigated... that service costs are in line with other automatic APs

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[Wostep1]

Very nice post. I might have some ideas to add in here.

[watchprenuer]

this is great info thanks

[watcher3223]

thanks for the info

[Sammykoshan]

Awesome thank you!

[LemaniaChrono]

Any experience with the 39mm RO Chrono's 26300 series? Specifically things to look for and reliability? Same guidance F Serial or newer? Love the brown dial and the panda. Currently around 17-20k.

[hongkongrr]

Originally Posted by LemaniaChrono

Any experience with the 39mm RO Chrono's 26300 series? Specifically things to look for and reliability? Same guidance F Serial or newer? Love the brown dial and the panda. Currently around 17-20k.

I am curious on the same thing. Do u have any luck getting more info on reliability?

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