Audemars Piguet

[Rich2putt]

I've been "looking" in the Audemars Piguet forum here and Rolex doesn't seem as expensive any more. They have some very fine pieces that I fell in love with but out of my budget range. I'll keep peeking from time to time on the forum but I'll stick with Rolex.

[hehedavid]

Huh?

[bayerische]

It may be just me, but I'd say Rolex seem expensive compared to AP.

This thread would be right at home in the AP forum, not here.

Get an AP and you'll see.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by bayerische

It may be just me, but I'd say Rolex seem expensive compared to AP.

Bah, both are values compared to PP.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Bah, both are values compared to PP.

Which itself isn't so bad next to Philippe Dufour...

To the OP, Rolex is isn't not too expensive for a high end watch but I don't think a fair comparison can be made. Whilst it has been offering some very high quality timepieces for a long time Rolex doesn't offer as many different models as Audemars Piguet and hasn't been as much into complicated watches or models with a well finished movement. Whether one considers these important or not it sure changes the price of a watch.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by bayerische

It may be just me, but I'd say Rolex seem expensive compared to AP.

This thread would be right at home in the AP forum, not here.

Get an AP and you'll see.

Having owned 4 APs (15400 x 2, SS Diver and FC 26400), I could not disagree more

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Bah, both are values compared to PP.

Buddy, I love PP. I love both brands equal. (Perhaps AP a bit more)


Saying all that I see Patek in my future.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Having owned 4 APs (15400 x 2, SS Diver and FC 26400), I could not disagree more

Different strokes...

I love Rolex! Got more Rolex's than AP's. I think Rolex will be in majority all my life.

[jolimont]

Rolex will always be my no.1 brand

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Different strokes...

I love Rolex! Got more Rolex's than AP's. I think Rolex will be in majority all my life.

I love AP as well. The 26400 is my all time favorite watch ... by a long shot ... but (in my opinion) I don't think the quality / finishing gap is as big as it is made up to be. Just my opinion.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Bah, both are values compared to PP.

I know I still want the 5711

[jjnd08]

It comes down to design to me. I LOVE a lot of Rolex models, I LIKE some Pateks, and I haven't seen a single AP that I like.

If I'm going to spend a lot on a watch, I better love it.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

It comes down to design to me. I LOVE a lot of Rolex models, I LIKE some Pateks, and I haven't seen a single AP that I like.

If I'm going to spend a lot on a watch, I better love it.

+1. Not a fan of any AP. But they look much better in real life than pics.

[KINGROLESAR]

Originally Posted by masterserg

I love AP as well. The 26400 is my all time favorite watch ... by a long shot ... but (in my opinion) I don't think the quality / finishing gap is as big as it is made up to be. Just my opinion.

you my friend have hit the nail on the head.

[mike]

Posted in the correct forum.

[VICI]

Rolex is a tank.

AP is sophistication.

Different watches for different tastes.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

I know I still want the 5711

Yeah me too, even tho I know they are taking me to the cleaners

Originally Posted by masterserg

I love AP as well. The 26400 is my all time favorite watch ... by a long shot ... but (in my opinion) I don't think the quality / finishing gap is as big as it is made up to be. Just my opinion.

I agree the gap is not that wide, but little improvements in quality at the high luxury end make a large difference in price, it's very much more exponential than reflective.

[Cru Jones]

Since when is it a question of having one or the other? ;-)

[Colin W]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Since when is it a question of having one or the other? ;-)

Exactly, I always feel the need for variety in the rotation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Since when is it a question of having one or the other? ;-)

Very true.

[texex91]

Always good to have a few of each--that way you're covered

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by Rich2putt

I've been "looking" in the Audemars Piguet forum here and Rolex doesn't seem as expensive any more. They have some very fine pieces that I fell in love with but out of my budget range. I'll keep peeking from time to time on the forum but I'll stick with Rolex.

What do you mean by budget? The price of the watch? The servicing?

The only AP that I could possibly buy would be a 15300 or 15450- everything else is just too big. I like their all gold pieces but they are too expensive. So sure, a SS watch with a date window for $13-$16K depending on where you buy is a hell of a lot of money when you could easily get 2 Rolex SS models here. But I do like the RO design and, OK, I can stretch to get a RO.

My concern is the servicing and longevity of the AP. Don't get me wrong, I love the AP RO and I think it's a gorgeous watch. But I want something that will last my lifetime and something I can pass down to my children. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the impression I get online is that the APs are just a bit too delicate and too expensive to maintain over several decades. And I'll give you my reasons why I think this:

1) Based on what I've found online, with Rolex you have RSC and several good independent watchmakers (which are cheaper than RSC) to get your watch fixed. My impression of AP is that it's APSC or nothing else. And set aside a trust fund for the AP servicing.

2) Again, based on online research- Rolex watches are tanks and AP, while more beautiful, is a bit more delicate. In the Rolex section, you see tons of threads about 30, 40 year old Rolexes still going strong. You hear stories of Rolexes still working for 12yrs without any service. I don't see AP owners posting, "hey, my RO from 2000 is still going strong, should I send it in to Clearwater?" It seems like APs need more servicing than a Rolex.

Looking around at APs, again using the RO, I see loads of incomings for 15300, 15400, 15202, whatever, but you never see anybody showing off their E-series RO like the numbers that show off a root beer gmt. And since the RO design really hasn't changed, you'd think that picking up an older RO would be the best entry point into a RO. But it's not. I have not once run into any post that said, "If you really want a RO, forget the H or I-series and go to a trusted seller to pick up a E-series for cheap- same design since the 1970s" So I'm thinking either a) an E-series RO is just not worth it, the servicing is going to kill you or b) an E-series ROs will skyrocket in value to the point where it's cheaper to buy new. And from what I know, APs don't retain value as well as a Rolex.

Again, this is not to put down AP and if I've got something wrong, please tell me. I'm torn between getting a RO or another Rolex.

[B. Doggy]

Both great choices in a collection!

[KINGROLESAR]

The OP looked at some APs and although impressed found the pricing well above what he wants to pay for a finely made watch- makes sense.The difference between entry is around $7000 a quite large amount and hard for even the most enthusiastic amongst us to justify. What I'm trying to do is focus on Patek so the APs won't seem so bad - will help me with my own justification.

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

In the Rolex section, you see tons of threads about 30, 40 year old Rolexes still going strong. You hear stories of Rolexes still working for 12yrs without any service. I don't see AP owners posting, "hey, my RO from 2000 is still going strong, should I send it in to Clearwater?" It seems like APs need more servicing than a Rolex.

I don't agree.

If you can afford to buy an AP you can afford to send it for servicing at the recommended intervals (4-6 years).

Maybe Rolex owners are just tighter?

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by diver2012

I don't agree.

If you can afford to buy an AP you can afford to send it for servicing at the recommended intervals (4-6 years).

Maybe Rolex owners are just tighter?

OK, I'll agree with you- if you can buy an AP you can pay for the servicing. So let's put the cost aside.

So the question remains- why aren't there more people who have had their APs for 10, 20 yrs here? AP is a well respected brand, they didn't last this long without doing something right. So what am I missing? Anybody have their AP for at least a decade?

[bayerische]

I don't think an AP would require any more service than a Rolex. I can imagine an AP (because of it's higher price) get's sent in for service every 4-6 years.

My WG ROC is an F serial and is still running excellently with very strong amplitude, excellent power reserve and great time keeping roughly +2sec/day.

[masterserg]

I don't think any AP will have any long term durability issue. I do think they are more delicate and require more care (Lamborghini Vs. BMW so to speak).

[singe89]

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

OK, I'll agree with you- if you can buy an AP you can pay for the servicing. So let's put the cost aside.

So the question remains- why aren't there more people who have had their APs for 10, 20 yrs here? AP is a well respected brand, they didn't last this long without doing something right. So what am I missing? Anybody have their AP for at least a decade?

I'm sure there are people that have older APs but they are probably not on this forum. After all it is called Rolex Forum. Most people on here probably started collecting rolex watches as an entry into horology. As their tastes changed/evolved they started getting into newer APs,PPs, etc. I also think this is why we see so many RO and ROOs on here vs. the other AP offerings as well.

Personally I decided to get into APs instead of precious metal rolex watches. I like older/vintage ROs but I LOVE what AP is doing with the newer ROs, ROOs and Millenary. I buy what I like and what I'm going to enjoy wearing....that's modern APs.

With rolex producing over 1m watches per year and AP only producing around 35k there are going to many more people with older rolex watches and many more for sale. Also Look at the thread count. Between the modern rolex and vintage section Rolex has over 100k threads vs the 2,600 or so for AP. There is bound to be more discussion on older rolex watches just because of thread count.

I believe this also adds to your earlier point about service and the many independent rolex service centers vs APSC. The high production numbers of rolex over the years means there are way more rolex watches to service so there is enough demand for independents to buy the proper rolex approved tools, have rolex certified parts accounts and watch makers on staff. The low production numbers and higher cost of parts doesn't really make it economically feasible for many independents to provide service for APs.

I also believe AP wants to control the customer experience more than rolex. From purchase, to service to events AP provides a total luxury service model. Gifts, letter/emails, invites to events, hosted trips to LE Brassus are all things AP has done to improve my customer experience with the brand. Interaction with AP employees is outstanding. It's an absolute pleasure dealing with Jasmine, Betsey and John. After a decade of collecting rolex watches I never experienced anything even close from them. It's part of the reason I sold off all but 3 of my rolex watches and now buy APs.

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

OK, I'll agree with you- if you can buy an AP you can pay for the servicing. So let's put the cost aside.

So the question remains- why aren't there more people who have had their APs for 10, 20 yrs here? AP is a well respected brand, they didn't last this long without doing something right. So what am I missing? Anybody have their AP for at least a decade?

It is actually a question I have asked before...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=280976