Understanding 'The Owl' RO 25572

[midnight10]

Hi guys

So, I'm not the biggest AP lover. I've always gravitated towards JLC but I've always been a fan of 'the owl', the RO day date (with or without moon phase). I think they are works of art in their simplicity and have had a love affair with them for some time now.

I've only purchased one or two brand new pieces and tend to go for vintage watches and have my eye on a 1984 steel and gold variation of the owl (25572SAO/0789SA02). As ever, I research the hell out of the watches I eventually pick up (or don't) but I've now been thrown two curve balls in my current 'owl' pursuit.

The first is understanding what movement actually powers this particular RO? Having now seen the archive extract of the watch it states "2224/2810" when up to this point I believed that it was the "2124/2810" combination inside the case, particularly for one this age. Why/how could this be inside the watch?

Secondly, the crown of this particular owl is gold. Again, all my research, discussions and previous watches I've viewed had presented the 25572SA with steel crowns. AP seemed to introduce gold crowns on steel and gold ROs much later than this possibly 'C-series' watch. Might this be an after market replacement at some point over the last 30+ years or did AP actually produce a version like this themselves at the time?

As an unashamed AP novice, is there anyone out there who might be able to help me understand the piece I'm looking at?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by midnight10

The first is understanding what movement actually powers this particular RO? Having now seen the archive extract of the watch it states "2224/2810" when up to this point I believed that it was the "2124/2810" combination inside the case, particularly for one this age. Why/how could this be inside the watch?

AFAIK

The calibre 2120 which is based on the JLC 920 is the base movement and is the source of all of these.

A 2120 becomes a 2121 with a date and no seconds hand, a 2122 with a date and seconds, and a 2124 when used without seconds or a date as a base movement as is the case with the day date. So the watch was fitted with a 2124 calibre with a day and date module attached which is the second number.

I don't know what the difference is but i think a 2124 evolved into the 2224 but i don't know the story behind it but it is all based on the 2120. There should be no real difference between a 2124/2224 as they both should be a 2120 w/o seconds or date and attached to a module.

[midnight10]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

AFAIK

The calibre 2120 which is based on the JLC 920 is the base movement and is the source of all of these.

A 2120 becomes a 2121 with a date and no seconds hand, a 2122 with a date and seconds, and a 2124 when used without seconds or a date as a base movement as is the case with the day date. So the watch was fitted with a 2124 calibre with a day and date module attached which is the second number.

I don't know what the difference is but i think a 2124 evolved into the 2224 but i don't know the story behind it but it is all based on the 2120. There should be no real difference between a 2124/2224 as they both should be a 2120 w/o seconds or date and attached to a module.

Hey Tyler,

I see what you mean. Having spoken to a friend today who is an avid collector of ROs, he mentioned a similar evolution of calibre references. A little confusing if you don't know your way around ROs as well he some people. It's helpful information though.

Are you an owner of a 25572 yourself?

I've looked for manuals and articles on that particular calibre (2224) but not had any luck finding further details myself. My friend did suggest calling AP as a last resort but said pulling this this type of specific information from them can be time consuming.

I'm now just trying to make sense of the aesthetic and the appearance of the gold crown. It strikes me as out of place but what do you think?

[tyler1980]

it may be a case AP just renumbering the calibre without any changes from 2124 to 2224. Id call AP to confirm.

Im pretty much clueless on older model AP's. It looks nice but as to the gold crown i have no idea

I don't own that model but I want a 15202 from the same calibre family so I've red a bit about them.

[jfradkin33]

I have this watch and recently sent it in for service. The paperwork from AP indicates that it is in fact a calibre 2224/2810 in mine. Regarding the crown, mine is steel and original so I am not sure on the gold crown you mention.



Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[midnight10]

Originally Posted by jfradkin33

I have this watch and recently sent it in for service. The paperwork from AP indicates that it is in fact a calibre 2224/2810 in mine. Regarding the crown, mine is steel and original so I am not sure on the gold crown you mention.



Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

So it took a little while longer than expected but I finally picked up my watch. I ended up settling on a mid 90s owl moonphase over the original owl. I know steel and gold is not massively in vogue now, which is probably why I was so drawn to it, but it's just a thing of beauty if you ask me.

Thanks for all of the help with the calibre and crown. I'm turning my attention to hunting down a new vintage love of mine but am really happy to to have gotten hold of one of these.

[midnight10]

And here it is...

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by midnight10

And here it is...

looks great

Didn't even know it came with a moon phase.