Why does the AP ROC not have a display case-back!?!

[Starwalker]

It baffles me that AP decided not to put a transparent sapphire/display caseback on the AP ROC to show off it's beautiful movement. They did it on the Royal Oak.....why not the chronograph......??? It's almost a deal-breaker for me, if I have to choose between the normal RO and the ROC.

Additionally, could we install the case-back of the RO onto the ROC if we wanted to?

[Adam K.]

I believe the ROC case uses the monocoque (1-piece) construction like the original Jumbo and 15202, rather than the more conventional 3-piece case seen on the 15300/15400, etc.. Now of course the modern 15202 DOES have a sapphire back incorporated into its 1-piece case but the ROC case has not been designed that way from the get-go. So short of a custom job where the ROC's monocoque case was remachined to have the aperture for the sapphire crystal window, I think you'd be out of luck.

As to "why" AP has never had an exhibition window on the ROC, I honestly don't know. The FP 1185 is certainly a pretty enough caliber to warrant it.

[Starwalker]

Originally Posted by Adam K.

I believe the ROC case uses the monocoque (1-piece) construction like the original Jumbo and 15202, rather than the more conventional 3-piece case seen on the 15300/15400, etc.. Now of course the modern 15202 DOES have a sapphire back incorporated into its 1-piece case but the ROC case has not been designed that way from the get-go. So short of a custom job where the ROC's monocoque case was remachined to have the aperture for the sapphire crystal window, I think you'd be out of luck.

As to "why" AP has never had an exhibition window on the ROC, I honestly don't know. The FP 1185 is certainly a pretty enough caliber to warrant it.

Thanks for the reply! Incredibly informative

[Adam K.]

Very welcome, and you certainly can't go wrong with an ROC chrono if you decide to "go for it".

Remember, the classic 39mm case size is now on the way out so grab one of those classically proportioned beauties while you can!

[Watcheroo]

The case front is pretty nice! ;)

[TSW]

Originally Posted by Adam K.

I believe the ROC case uses the monocoque (1-piece) construction like the original Jumbo and 15202, rather than the more conventional 3-piece case seen on the 15300/15400, etc.. Now of course the modern 15202 DOES have a sapphire back incorporated into its 1-piece case but the ROC case has not been designed that way from the get-go. So short of a custom job where the ROC's monocoque case was remachined to have the aperture for the sapphire crystal window, I think you'd be out of luck.

Correctamundo

[Starwalker]

I finally found it! A picture of an ROC with a sapphire case-back. These pics aren't mine, I found them on puristspro - http://ap.watchprosite.com/?show=for...&ti=609711&s=0 . "It's the Dubail AP ROC LE with the platinum bezel, stainless case and transparent caseback with blackened rotor. "

It looks fantastic!

[Slider817]

Originally Posted by Adam K.

I believe the ROC case uses the monocoque (1-piece) construction like the original Jumbo and 15202, rather than the more conventional 3-piece case seen on the 15300/15400, etc.. Now of course the modern 15202 DOES have a sapphire back incorporated into its 1-piece case but the ROC case has not been designed that way from the get-go. So short of a custom job where the ROC's monocoque case was remachined to have the aperture for the sapphire crystal window, I think you'd be out of luck.

As to "why" AP has never had an exhibition window on the ROC, I honestly don't know. The FP 1185 is certainly a pretty enough caliber to warrant it.

Is that also why the Royal oak Dual time does not have an exhibition back?

[Dino944]

Originally Posted by Starwalker

I finally found it! A picture of an ROC with a sapphire case-back. These pics aren't mine, I found them on puristspro - http://ap.watchprosite.com/?show=for...&ti=609711&s=0 . "It's the Dubail AP ROC LE with the platinum bezel, stainless case and transparent caseback with blackened rotor. "

It looks fantastic!

Interesting. I wonder what they did to the rotor it looks black. The rotor on on the 1185 as used by AP is usually 18Kt.

Originally Posted by Slider817

Is that also why the Royal oak Dual time does not have an exhibition back?

It may be part of it, although I suppose they could have changed the case on the Dual Time and the Calendar watch when they increased the case size from 36mm to 39mm.

I also think part of it could be they are using movements that were small enough to be used originally in cases for smaller watches. The 1185 was used in the 38mm Cartier Pasha Chronographs and I think also in some Blancpain chronos that were only 37 or 36mm, and the calibers for the Dual Time and Calendar watches were previously used in 36mm ROs.

Sometimes when one continues to use movements of the past that fit in smaller watch cases and you make a larger case with a display back, it becomes very evident that the movement was intended for a much smaller watch and you end up with a lot of extra metal surrounding the back saphire crystal (thats how I felt about the new 41mm 15400...its a nice watch but the movement looks more fitting to me in the 15300). Also as for the chronograph, its movment might have looked quite small in a 41mm case if it previously fit in watches that were 38mm or smaller.