AP Royal Oak Chronograh (instead of Daytona)

[oo7ml]

Hi,

I have been waiting for either a SS Daytona or a Yellow Gold Daytona for quite some time, and i'm recently starting to lean towards a AP ROC instead.

I know very little about the AP ROC other than what i've been reading and watching over the last 2 weeks, and I would really appreciate some advice and help.

01 - Waiting List: I presume there a waiting list for a SS AP ROC? If there is, what is the likely timeframe... is it as crazy as the "5 year waiting list" for the SS Daytona?

02 - The One To Get: Like many other brands and models, there always seems to be "the one to get". Can anyone point out the reference that is most desirable? I already have my preferred reference picked out, but want to know as much as I can before I pursue this any further.

03 - Value: do they hold their value or appreciate?

04 - History: does anyone have a good article or YouTube video on the history of the AP ROC?

05 - Movement Concerns: I'm slightly worried that it is a lot of money for a SS watch that doesn't even have it's own in house movement. Does anyone else share the same view?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[fullofboats]

1. The waiting time for a ROC depends on the model, but none will be as long as a SS Daytona. The blue 26331 is probably the hardest to get and maybe it takes you a few months or a year. The other two 26331 can be had in a few months. I got one literally one week after asking about it at a HK boutique as a new customer. The SS 38mm 26315 is hard to get right now because it was just released but both SS 26315 should be possible within a year.

2. Blue SS 26331 is the "hardest".

3. You can check C24. All the SS 26331 have resale value close to retail with blue commanding ~15% above. I believe the older ROCs have been appreciating over time though. AP prices new ROCs higher and higher which appears to bringing up the value of discontinued models, but this could always change in the future. Who knows.

4. Search youtube, lots of video reviews

5. Inhouse is overrated I think. The ROC movement is a F Piguet movement, very very high end and excellent. Try to find another chrono movement as thin or reliable. It's not like AP is putting an ETA movement inside. Note that the Code 11.59 chrono movement is AP's first inhouse chrono and the speculation is that AP will at some point put their inhouse movement into a new ROC. The Code11.59 chrono movement truly is something to behold. Check it out in a boutique, it's gorgeous. Only downside is that it's I think +1mm thicker than the FPiguet which would make any future inhouse ROC noticeably thicker.

[oo7ml]

Originally Posted by fullofboats

1. The waiting time for a ROC depends on the model, but none will be as long as a SS Daytona. The blue 26331 is probably the hardest to get and maybe it takes you a few months or a year. The other two 26331 can be had in a few months. I got one literally one week after asking about it at a HK boutique as a new customer. The SS 38mm 26315 is hard to get right now because it was just released but both SS 26315 should be possible within a year.

2. Blue SS 26331 is the "hardest".

3. You can check C24. All the SS 26331 have resale value close to retail with blue commanding ~15% above

4. Search youtube, lots of video reviews

5. Inhouse is overrated I think. The ROC movement is a F Piguet movement, very very high end and excellent. Try to find another chrono movement as thin or reliable. It's not like AP is putting an ETA movement inside

Thank you for your input, it's very helpful and appreciated.

What do the references mean after the 26331... for example: REF. #26331ST.OO.1220ST.02

[fullofboats]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Thank you for your input, it's very helpful and appreciated.

What do the references mean after the 26331... for example: REF. #26331ST.OO.1220ST.02

ST means stainless steel. The "02" at the end refers to the colour of the dial. There are three 26331ST variations, with the three references ending with 01, 02, and 03.

[oo7ml]

Super, thank you.

[fullofboats]

No problem. If possible, try one on before you commit to buying. The 26331 is 41mm and with the integrated bracelet extending the lug-to-lug length will wear much larger than a Daytona. The new 26315 at 38mm wears closer to a Daytona. The 26315 and 26331 are identical except for size and dial colours. There is a lengthy thread on this forum on the 26315 with lots of pics and wrist sizes for you to see.

[oo7ml]

Ok great thanks. I currently daily either a GMT Master II or a Navitimer GMT 48mm so I'm leaning towards the 41, thanks.

[JohnGT3RS]

The AP ROC wears big compared to the Daytona. I like them both.

I don’t know how hard to get it is in Ireland. I don’t really care about value retention, I’m not selling it. Not having an in-house movement doesn’t bother me.

[macrowatch]

I came to AP after thoroughly scratching my Daytona itch. Having them side by side, I think it's a both instead of either or if you can swing it.

re: Not an inhouse movement, I wouldn't obsess too much. I would further add that if you look at something like a Patek 5070, that wasn't an in-house movement, yet still coveted because it was a well executed watch.

re: Value, I think the brand going to full botique model will help retain brand value and thereby pricing power over time by controlling discounts.

Long run, I think the "one to get" is actually without the Chrono. This has less to do with value and more to do with I think the proportions of the current ROC (having recently gotten one) are just a bit off. I still like the watch, but the Daytona is perfect proportion wise on all design details, whereas I think the ROC numerals on the subdials just looks little bit too big, the second hand subdial being smaller is a bit odd, etc, etc.

Anyways, for me, you get the 116519LN if you're tired of waiting for a SS Daytona. You get the AP if you either love what the AP brand means to you, or you're tired of either watch collector also having a SS Daytona in your social circles and want to be a bit different.

Last thing, Rolex much easier to wear, ROC is a scratch magnet. Need more wrist awarness or lack of caring about scratches. Rolex ceramic bezel looks new no matter how old. Steel ROC bezel ages quickly with true daily wear.

[oo7ml]

Thanks all, much appreciated.

I need to be careful that I’m not fooling myself into wanting another watch because I’m tired of waiting for a Daytona :-)

[huncho]

was at the nyc boutique today and the SA said he could try and get a chrono in like 3-4 months or so

i have no prior history with them

[AK797]

Good points already mentioned, the F Piguet movement is very solid and widely admired, but a new inhouse chrono may be released early next year so might be worth waiting to see that first.

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Thanks all, much appreciated.

I need to be careful that I’m not fooling myself into wanting another watch because I’m tired of waiting for a Daytona :-)

It never really stops even when you get all the Daytonas you need. It’s a journey it seems.

That said, Daytona is more robust and keeps better time.

[JohnGT3RS]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Thanks all, much appreciated.

I need to be careful that I’m not fooling myself into wanting another watch because I’m tired of waiting for a Daytona :-)

You know you want. Need it is another story.

[Grnvette65]

2 very different watches. I find the roc is great at dinner cause the bracelet is amazing at how it catches the light. I find the 320 is nicer as I like the same size sundials. In terms of the movement I find the f. Piglet to be an excellent movement. The concept of in house is nice but long term I don’t think the f piglet will be that much cheaper than an in house. It might be worth more. Look at the Daytona movement, clearly the 4130 is better in all ways but the zenith commands more money. If you can get both watches as each has its place on the wrist

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Grnvette65

2 very different watches. I find the roc is great at dinner cause the bracelet is amazing at how it catches the light. I find the 320 is nicer as I like the same size sundials. In terms of the movement I find the f. Piglet to be an excellent movement. The concept of in house is nice but long term I don’t think the f piglet will be that much cheaper than an in house. It might be worth more. Look at the Daytona movement, clearly the 4130 is better in all ways but the zenith commands more money. If you can get both watches as each has its place on the wrist

Piglets and sundials, man you are drinking early this Xmas, salut!

[Grnvette65]

Originally Posted by AK797

Piglets and sundials, man you are drinking early this Xmas, salut!

Hah, can’t type or maybe too much scotch. Salut

[din64]

I love both watches but that ROC is really something.

[RHIII]

All great responses above.

For me. I’ve always loved my ROC more than any of my Daytonas.

And right now the Daytona is WAY over hyped — IMHO.

Just my .02

[Token74]

The AP is more special, but for daily use I prefer the Daytona. It’s a little more versatile and can be bumped around more. But if you have other watches for that, then AP is a class above.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ufboy73]

Originally Posted by Token74

The AP is more special, but for daily use I prefer the Daytona. It’s a little more versatile and can be bumped around more. But if you have other watches for that, then AP is a class above.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well said and totally agree.

The reality is although may be overlapping materials, functions, etc...AP and Rolex just really have a different appeal from each other - on paper, on the wrist, and a daily life...just different.

[oo7ml]

Thanks all.

I think I might wait and see what they bring out next considering they are supposedly not selling the ROC from this month on.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Hi,

I have been waiting for either a SS Daytona or a Yellow Gold Daytona for quite some time, and i'm recently starting to lean towards a AP ROC instead.

I know very little about the AP ROC other than what i've been reading and watching over the last 2 weeks, and I would really appreciate some advice and help.

01 - Waiting List: I presume there a waiting list for a SS AP ROC? If there is, what is the likely timeframe... is it as crazy as the "5 year waiting list" for the SS Daytona?

02 - The One To Get: Like many other brands and models, there always seems to be "the one to get". Can anyone point out the reference that is most desirable? I already have my preferred reference picked out, but want to know as much as I can before I pursue this any further.

03 - Value: do they hold their value or appreciate?

04 - History: does anyone have a good article or YouTube video on the history of the AP ROC?

05 - Movement Concerns: I'm slightly worried that it is a lot of money for a SS watch that doesn't even have it's own in house movement. Does anyone else share the same view?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Replying...

1) Surely not as crazy as the ceramic daytona. How long to wait will depend on your purchase history with your AD or boutique. Some refs like the blue dial will take longer. But generally speaking, I think you can get it within a year.

2) My ROC is the 41mm panda blue dial 26331ST but there seems to be a lot of interest in the newer 38mm. I suggest you try them both and choose what sings to you, not what is popular with others. Take note the earlier ROC refs doesn't have pushable pushers. You have to unscrew them. Personally, I can't stand screw-down pushers in chronographs, which is why Daytona never appeal to me.

3) Generally speaking, not as well as the time/date only royal oaks. Although due to AP restricting supplies, resale value have generally improve in the grey market.

4) I think Hodinkee wrote a very good article about ROC. Google it.

5) The F.Piguet is a very reliable and proven movement although not inhouse. My only nitpick is that it doesn't hack. AP has released it's own inhouse automatic chronograph movement in the Code series but due to the thickness of the movement, any ROC build on this is likely to be significantly thicker as well.