BIG dilemma 16610 or AP royal oak 14790

[davenotize]

Hello everyone, I currently have a sub 16610 Y serial which is my everyday watch i love it and has always been well cared for, but i have this guy who really wants it and wants to trade his Audemars Piguet royal oak 14790 SS for my sub.
Honestly i have always like the royal oak but the price hasnt let me put my hands on it. i need to know more about these watches in order to make my decision, please help advise and opinions! thx

[rad87gn]

I personally wouldn't do the trade. It's to small for me at 36mm. They seem to be going for $5-$6K range used.

[Z-Sub]

you said exactly right. you need to see them, try them and decide if you really like them on your wrist. And make sure it's a genuine article as well.

[Sperry]

Both watches are worth about the same, but that AP is a bit more rare.

I've checked out the 39mm RO, and it feels perfectly-sized, even though 35mm-37mm is my preference.

Wearing it would be the next step.

RO service is a bit more than the Rolex service.

[Speed]

Do you prefer the Royal Oak Vs your Sub??? Or do you think you will tire of the RO looks once the novelty wears off?

[psv]

That AP is a tad small and only waterproof to 50m, not an ideal daily beater IMO, esp compared to a Sub.

[buke45]

Originally Posted by psv

That AP is a tad small and only waterproof to 50m, not an ideal daily beater IMO, esp compared to a Sub.

x2

[davenotize]

i really like both but im a bit afraid of resale value when it comes to the AP, which one would lose more. here are some pics of the actual watches.

[Lorenzo]

maybe you should ask the question in a different forum if you want a different/unbiased reply ... :) if it were up to me, i wouldnt do it.

[GOB]

Here is an unbiased reply from someone who has had both, albeit not the same AP model. Ever since 1990, I have owned pretty much every model type Rolex has made (Explorer, Sub, Daytona, GMT, Yachtmaster, Date, and Datejust) and multiple versions of each of those and not once did I have any mechanical issues due to malfunction with any of my watches. I used my 2 tone sub and Datejust as if they were regular watches and wore them anywhere from mountain bike riding to fishing offshore. Rock solid piece of machinery all the time. When I sold them all to purchase a Panerai and an AP Rubberclad, I broke even on some watches, lost very little on some, and made money on others, so resale value was top notch and took me all of an hour to find a dealer who would take them in trade.

Got the AP (my grail watch at the time) and the Panerai. The AP was nothing but problems from day one. I had a piece of the bezel chip off (rubber coating), had water intrusion, had the chrono hands spin somewhat on their own, and lastly, one of the chrono hands just fell off altogether! I treated that watch as if it was made out of Venetian crystal and still, it was beyond delicate. I am going to blame "bad luck" on this, but after selling it, I am coming back to Rolex (Daytona YG on strap). Others swear by their APs, it is a very well recognized brand among watch fanatics, but truth be told, based on my experience, I believe its more hype than anything else. For the AP lovers out there, I understand your passion for the brand as I was once in your shoes, but my experience, and the vast amount of money to repair, not to mention the poor resale value, has put me off the brand for a while.

[wcl884]

As PSV mentioned the RO is only water resistant at 50m. It really depends if you are going to wear this as an everyday beater. Sub will survive years more without servicing and have more tolerance for banging and grimes. And while the price of service goes up every year, AP will take more money and take longer. Many many watch makers will service Rolex very well as half the price RSC charges - and does the job very well. I can't say I trust too many watch makers with my AP movements.

With that said, I am a big fan of AP RO. I would go with the RO if this is your back-up or 2nd watch.

[chestercopperpot]

I own both and I only wear my AP for formal occasions...

You said the sub was your main watch right? I wouldn't do it. AP's are amazing, really beautiful watches...but if the sub is your main watch i wouldn't do it. The sub is just too classic and too durable. AP's are a bit on the fragile side.

[TSW]

Love them both!
And both are cornerstones in a collection imo.

[BeeMee]

Check my signature - my AP RO is a 14790 which I purchased new in 1995.

I wore it everyday (when it was not at the AP service center for repair) for 5 years.

The workmanship and attention to detail on the AP is fantastic as compared to any Rolex. However the 14790 AP is not nearly as rugged as your Sub.

As you can see, I have a number of watches. My GMT IIC and my Breitling are my everyday watches. I love to wear the AP RO when wearing a dress shirt or even a long sleeve sport shirt as it is very comfortable and fits well under the cuff of those shirts. It is small compared to your Sub, but I do not feel that it is too small.

I also agree that AP watches do not hold their resale value as well as Rolexes do. Perhaps that is because their retail list prices are too high and unless you buy one at a substantial discount, you will take a huge hit if you sell it.

Lastly, Rolexes are fairly expensive to have serviced at an RSC, but there are several highly recommended independent service people right here on this forum.

However, AP service centers charge prices that make RSC prices seem inexpensive. Personally, I don't know of any recommended independents who will service an AP. Even if a watchmaker is competent to service an AP, they probably cannot purchase replacement AP parts. You will most likely need to use the authorized AP service center for service.

Ultimately, only you can make the decision as to whether this trade is a good deal for you.

[calibre1]

I have no experience in wearing an AP.

Just based on looks alone I say don't do the trade....keep your Sub.

It's a "do anything, go anywhere" watch that looks good with anything that your wear.

My

[johnbeth]

Interesting responces everyone, my responce is keep the sub and buy to AP when you have the cash. Thats what I would if I liked both watches.

[GoonerStrike]

this is a tough one, considering the 16610 is my favorite watch of all time, I would not make the trade.

[Fiery]

Keep the Sub. The RO is a very good watch, but not nearly as versatile and rugged as the Sub, hence I don't think it could replace your Sub as your everyday watch.

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by fiery

keep the sub. The ro is a very good watch, but not nearly as versatile and rugged as the sub, hence i don't think it could replace your sub as your everyday watch.

+1

[slcbbrown]

I think the AP is great looking, but this comparison is apples to oranges. A Rolex is super tough/robust, whether it's a DJ or Sub (not Cellini), a Rolex can take almost any abuse until you get to diving depths. The AP is a handsome dressier model, and I would probably make a comparison to a DD, rather than Sub-- and, I wouldn't expect the AP to handle the abuse that a DD can.

Pick the one you like, however, I would want to know the service cost for the AP. I would expect to pay double +.

[Speed]

Just don't care for the AP designs.

However, hearing how fragile they are makes me appreciate Rolex even more!

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by davenotize

i really like both but im a bit afraid of resale value when it comes to the AP, which one would lose more. here are some pics of the actual watches.

Sub alllllllllllll the way !

[foobar]

I have to proudly say 16610! More versatile, rugged and smarter looking ;-)

[SilverSun]

If you have always liked the AP then go for it!

IMO the Sub is a better every day watch and should be able to handle whatever you can throw at it. Although the RO is marketed as a sports watch it wears alot more dressier and its shiney and looks like would be prone to scratches if wore for everyday leisure activities - so the sub would probably age better IMO

I have never been a fan of the design of AP but as a brand, and the finishing of the case and bracelet when you try one one, it is in a different level compared to any Rolex. However as mentioned the service costs for AP will be high.

go for whichever smiles at you!

[kcmo]

I'd say hold on to that Sub, but then again, AP watches do nothing at all for me.

Just don't rush a decision that you may regret.

[Gharddog03]

Originally Posted by Speed

Just don't care for the AP designs.

However, hearing how fragile they are makes me appreciate Rolex even more!

[davenotize]

thanks guys I really appreciate your input, i went to my local AD to try it on one more time and it does feel to fragile and delicate like some of you said it was, maybe because im used to my sub "tank" i dont know but as for now im keeping my sub, maybe later if i get a good deal on the RO 15300 39mm then will consider it.