Rolex vs AP

[watchlover135]

So many have such different views. Some think AP is a one watch wonder (Royal oak). Some swear by AP as the very best out there, some say AP is on a much higher level than Rolex. Some say Rolex is #1 and always will be. What are your thought as to which wins out in quality, design, reliability, durability, and holding of value ?


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[JP Chestnut]

I think that the all metal APs scratch if you look at them sideways. Seeing all those marks on the amazingly finished case would drive me crazy. For that reason alone, Rolex would be my choice for an everyday watch.

[Rocco21]

Not into aps at all,i appreciate there quality but as far as looks not a fan at all.as far as im concerned rolex are the best looking watches period and in my eyes the most rugged as well.

[Baco Noir]

Buy what you like and stop worrying about what others think.

[Bulldog21]

I have never owned an Audemars Piguet, but many of my friends have left Rolex to become part of the AP community. They told me when they left Rolex behind, it was not because they weren't amazing watches, they just felt AP was a notch above. In 2 years time, they are all back to Rolex. At the end of they day, it is in the eyes of the beholder but it seems people always come back to Rolex.

[Chadridv]

I recently bought my first AP and I'm absolutely in love with it. I trade a Yacht-master 2 to fund it and I have no regrets.

I will say though, as much as I love my new AP it has made me appreciate Rolex even more. I have no desire to flip my AP, but I certainly appreciate the ruggedness and reliability of a Rolex. To me Rolex is the perfect combination of beauty, design and reliability.

Funny thing though is that in 6 weeks I've worn my AP more than I wore my YM2 after 5 months. Especially on the rubber strap my ROO is just more versatile for my style.

She sure is pretty ;)

[Mainewatchman]

I am in a different boat then most seeing I got my AP first then got my Rolex. When I look at the two there is no comparison which I would choose over the other if I had to keep one, AP! There is not that much that excites me about my Rolex but everything excites me about my AP.

This has been debated many times in the past but one reference keeps coming back to me every time I think about it. Rolex = Mercedes (they have lower end and really high end models) AP = Bentley (they have only high end).

For the record my AP does not have one scratch! Can't say that about my Rolex.

[Bulldog21]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I recently bought my first AP and I'm absolutely in love with it. I trade a Yacht-master 2 to fund it and I have no regrets.

I will say though, as much as I love my new AP it has made me appreciate Rolex even more. I have no desire to flip my AP, but I certainly appreciate the ruggedness and reliability of a Rolex. To me Rolex is the perfect combination of beauty, design and reliability.

Funny thing though is that in 6 weeks I've worn my AP more than I wore my YM2 after 5 months. Especially on the rubber strap my ROO is just more versatile for my style.

She sure is pretty ;)

Beautiful

[Le Chef]

There are a number of armchair "experts" here who will slag off any other brand than Rolex, yet they have absolutely zero personal experience with owning another brand. They just happen to have an opinion, based on something someone once said to them, whatever that is worth. If you want the truth ask an owner, not an armchair expert, what their real experiences are. And that applies to any brand from AP to Zenith.

[ppalasthira]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I recently bought my first AP and I'm absolutely in love with it. I trade a Yacht-master 2 to fund it and I have no regrets.

I will say though, as much as I love my new AP it has made me appreciate Rolex even more. I have no desire to flip my AP, but I certainly appreciate the ruggedness and reliability of a Rolex. To me Rolex is the perfect combination of beauty, design and reliability.

Funny thing though is that in 6 weeks I've worn my AP more than I wore my YM2 after 5 months. Especially on the rubber strap my ROO is just more versatile for my style.

She sure is pretty ;)

Love the grey waffle dial!

I once had a black AP RO 15300. But flipped it cuz of my small wrist. There was a gap around the end links. The bracelet didn't hug my wrist very well. But truly miss it though. The craftsmanship is just on another level.

[Charlie_pace]

They're so different, but I love them both. I'd love to own a Royal Oak one day. I don't think pictures do them justice.

[Bulldog21]

Originally Posted by jhutch

Rolex = Mercedes (they have lower end and really high end models) AP = Bentley (they have only high end).

Hmmmm..... Not sure all would agree on this statement.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

There are a number of armchair "experts" here who will slag off any other brand than Rolex, yet they have absolutely zero personal experience with owning another brand. They just happen to have an opinion, based on something someone once said to them, whatever that is worth. If you want the truth ask an owner, not an armchair expert, what their real experiences are. And that applies to any brand from AP to Zenith.

Well said

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Bulldog21

Hmmmm..... Not sure all would agree on this statement.

Yeah I know it sounds ridiculous but Rolex is almost more like Lexus or Acura. Super reliable, well made, meant to be used every day forever.

Mercedes are beautiful and extremely well designed (especially recently IMO), but not exactly 'last forever' material.

[nick c]

Both are great companies

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by jhutch

I am in a different boat then most seeing I got my AP first then got my Rolex. When I look at the two there is no comparison which I would choose over the other if I had to keep one, AP! There is not that much that excites me about my Rolex but everything excites me about my AP.

This has been debated many times in the past but one reference keeps coming back to me every time I think about it. Rolex = Mercedes (they have lower end and really high end models) AP = Bentley (they have only high end).

For the record my AP does not have one scratch! Can't say that about my Rolex.

In your experience, how would you compare long term costs of ownership? Is AP as durable as Rolex over time? Are the service costs comparable over time?

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by watchlover135

So many have such different views.

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And there you have it. Get what you like.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

There are a number of armchair "experts" here who will slag off any other brand than Rolex, yet they have absolutely zero personal experience with owning another brand. They just happen to have an opinion, based on something someone once said to them, whatever that is worth. If you want the truth ask an owner, not an armchair expert, what their real experiences are. And that applies to any brand from AP to Zenith.

Can't disagree with this, except to say... Isn't that kind of what the OP is doing? Who is the "armchair experts"? He didn't walk into the Casio Boutique asking this question. Plenty of Rolex and AP owners around these parts.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by ppalasthira

I once had a black AP RO 15300. But flipped it cuz of my small wrist. There was a gap around the end links. The bracelet didn't hug my wrist very well. But truly miss it though. The craftsmanship is just on another level.

This is something that everyone with a smallish wrist needs to beware of, when it comes to watches with integrated cases and bracelets. These bracelets often don't articulate as well as a regular Rolex/Omega/etc. bracelet. I was rather sad to find that I could never where the Jumbo APRO for this reason. The Patek Nautilus was fine though - trying before buying is smart with this style of watch.

[Snow-Dweller]

Having owned various Rolex over nearly 30 years, I had a year with both a 15400 and an SS Diver. They're wonderful watches, but ultimately not for me. Others will disagree, but IMHO the APs are fragile when compared to most Rolex.

I'm pleased that I dipped my foot into the world of AP (and may do so again in the future), and the experience has made me appreciate Rolex more than ever.

[Foxglove]

This question gets asked all the time. Use the forum search feature.

[hoanghung45]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Yeah I know it sounds ridiculous but Rolex is almost more like Lexus or Acura. Super reliable, well made, meant to be used every day forever.

Mercedes are beautiful and extremely well designed (especially recently IMO), but not exactly 'last forever' material.

Well said. No offensive but AP also has better reputation than Rolex. I don't like the fact that even a person knows nothing about wrist-watches in general can write a paragraph about Rolex. Expensive and Rich must be in the title

[FremStar]

Both AP and Rolex belong in a watch collectors collection... With that said each brand has their faults. Love them both for various reasons.





The bottom is not my personal watch, however, from a photoshoot I did late last year...

[bmwatts]

I have both. I love both. They are different watches. Buy what u like and don't buy for what others think. If I had to choose one brand to stay with, I would choose AP. But that is because of the AP ROO's.

[Le Chef]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Can't disagree with this, except to say... Isn't that kind of what the OP is doing? Who is the "armchair experts"? He didn't walk into the Casio Boutique asking this question. Plenty of Rolex and AP owners around these parts.

You would post on the AP forum: greater likelihood that AP owners also own Rolex, than Rolex owners owning AP.

[FremStar]

A few more pics of my humble collection...



The day I acquired my DD40



I'll add this back and forth fan boy stuff of which brand is "better" has gotten a bit out of control. From Instagram and other social media outlets I read tons of garbage and will just add this, each person should buy what they like and can reasonably afford, to me there is no such thing as a better brand just better watches that work for your lifestyle. I've never publicly stated this, however, I would trade my most expensive watch in order to find the Lorus Mickey Mouse watch my Mom gifted me in the 2nd grade. I lost it many years ago and have yet to get the same feeling or enjoyment from any modern or vintage watch I own..

Most reliable...

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

You would post on the AP forum: greater likelihood that AP owners also own Rolex, than Rolex owners owning AP.

False statement... There is absolutely NOTHING special about both brands. Offline the tally of Rolex owners that comb this forum that don't post also own a handful of AP, Patek, JLC watches. Don't let this specific forum taint your thought process... i'm saying this as I have read tons of your post throughout the years yet never responded to you directly...

[Lordofrolex]

I think a complete collection needs both companies in it. Both have there pros and cons but both are watch power houses and should be respected equally for what they do.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

There are a number of armchair "experts" here who will slag off any other brand than Rolex, yet they have absolutely zero personal experience with owning another brand. They just happen to have an opinion, based on something someone once said to them, whatever that is worth. If you want the truth ask an owner, not an armchair expert, what their real experiences are. And that applies to any brand from AP to Zenith.

Originally Posted by Le Chef

You would post on the AP forum: greater likelihood that AP owners also own Rolex, than Rolex owners owning AP.

would you get more AP owners in the AP forum? definitely. but there seems to be no shortage of both so far here. and i still don't understand why by starting the thread here, you feel the OP has asked for the opinions of "armchair experts".

[salvadorsantana]

AP: since 1875
Rolex: since 1905

Own both brands, they are different watches. Rolex does have a larger selection of "conservative" not to loud watches over AP and the Royal Oak line, I have had Royal Oak Offshore but meh I prefer the comfort of the Royal Oak or any GMT, Sub, DJII, DD, etc from Rolex. Easy example is when an AP RO SS it is priced the same as a WG, YG Rolex, thats how can you tell why AP stands above Rolex over quality, history, etc. At the end of the day I like both of them.