There’s just something about AP!

[Token74]

I always thought that Rolex would be my watch of choice, and having owned nine of them, and still owning three, it’s fair to say I remain a big fan and I have huge respect for them as ‘go anywhere do anything’ watches.

But the truth is, as much as I like the watches, I don’t really like the brand.

I then thought it would be all about Patek. Like many fathers, I completely fell for the Patek slogan and images of fathers and their sons. And the watches are terrific. I love my 5990, and would love a 5270 and a 5740.

But, the brand isn’t me at all. It’s a very ‘posh’ and sophisticated brand, and I am a long way from that!!

AP seems to sit somewhere in between. The Royal Oak is unbelievable. 49 years on and the uninformed would struggle to tell the difference between a 5402 and a 15202. That is super impressive, and even more impressive when you consider the back story.

The Offshore is the most ‘fun’ premium watch, with only really Richard Mille for competition in my view. Back in the day I couldn’t imagine having more than one Offshore, but I now have two and already want to add a third!

I really like the 11:59 Perpetual but it isn’t really ‘me’ so it’s unlikely I will pull the trigger (although lets see what the next few years brings!), but it is a stunning watch.

The fact is, there is just something about the brand that is ‘me’. The brand has class but is not snooty. I like the AP House concept. I’ve enjoyed every interaction I’ve had with the folk at AP. And i like the fact they don’t seem to take themselves too seriously, they’re prepared to have some fun.

I currently have five APs which is ridiculous. But i can only see this going one way!

There is no doubt that there is something special about AP. And interestingly, the AP forum here is the friendliest of all the forums in my view, I get more DMs from AP folk here than any of the other forums.

I am officially declaring myself an AP fanboy!


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[GS93108]

Bravo!

I know it's not the view that we all share, but I do feel that we are an AP family and I too have met a lot of lovely people through AP, not something that I ever did when I was into Rolex, but to be clear that's not a dig at Rolex at all.

Now you've made me feel bad though, so I'm going to go and 'apologise' in the other thread :)

Cheers Vince.

[AshAP]

I feel exactly the same as you Vince.


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[Token74]

Originally Posted by GS93108

Bravo!

I know it's not the view that we all share, but I do feel that we are an AP family and I too have met a lot of lovely people through AP, not something that I ever did when I was into Rolex, but to be clear that's not a dig at Rolex at all.

Now you've made me feel bad though, so I'm going to go and 'apologise' in the other thread :)

Cheers Vince.

Lol


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[Johnny Crystal]

When I got my AP at the AD and was welcomed into the family I got chills. What a marvelous feeling!

[Token74]

Originally Posted by AshAP

I feel exactly the same as you Vince.


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You’re my AP idol!!


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[Reign]

I totally feel the same way and echo your sentiment.

When I speak with AP, I feel like I’m speaking to people vs some corporate facade. You can easily speak to management which I can’t see myself doing with other brands (certainly not with Rolex and definitely not whale enough for PP). They are very focused on modernizing the brand, industry and even personnel. Off the top my head, the CEOs of HK / China, SEA and NA are now all females in a very male dominant industry.

I’ve been gradually adding pieces to my collection over the years and the next one will be the biggest yet.

Very excited for what’s next! You can call it drinking the kool aid but as someone that shops at other places a lot, the interactiveness of my relationship with AP has no peer

[Vivalas]

Still new to AP compared to many on here, even though a I’ve just got my second, but totally agree with all the above. Still yet to meet another AP owner in the flesh - you don’t see them down my part of the world :-)

[Vipes]

Nothing wrong with being an AP fanboy. I love my Rolex watches but when I put on an AP or Patek, it just feels different/special.

[soundserious]

Rolex, AP, and Patek are the real holy trinity. Everything else is just….everything else.

[HMHM]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Rolex, AP, and Patek are the real holy trinity. Everything else is just….everything else.

These days I think it’s more of fantastic four: PP, AP, Rolex and VC.
VC is gaining traction nowadays with their Overseas. And their recent releases of the Skeleton and perpetual Overseas are much better than any offering from Rolex. 1921 in platinum is another amazing release!

[7sins]

Originally Posted by Token74

I always thought that Rolex would be my watch of choice, and having owned nine of them, and still owning three, it’s fair to say I remain a big fan and I have huge respect for them as ‘go anywhere do anything’ watches.

But the truth is, as much as I like the watches, I don’t really like the brand.

I then thought it would be all about Patek. Like many fathers, I completely fell for the Patek slogan and images of fathers and their sons. And the watches are terrific. I love my 5990, and would love a 5270 and a 5740.

But, the brand isn’t me at all. It’s a very ‘posh’ and sophisticated brand, and I am a long way from that!!

AP seems to sit somewhere in between. The Royal Oak is unbelievable. 49 years on and the uninformed would struggle to tell the difference between a 5402 and a 15202. That is super impressive, and even more impressive when you consider the back story.

The Offshore is the most ‘fun’ premium watch, with only really Richard Mille for competition in my view. Back in the day I couldn’t imagine having more than one Offshore, but I now have two and already want to add a third!

I really like the 11:59 Perpetual but it isn’t really ‘me’ so it’s unlikely I will pull the trigger (although lets see what the next few years brings!), but it is a stunning watch.

The fact is, there is just something about the brand that is ‘me’. The brand has class but is not snooty. I like the AP House concept. I’ve enjoyed every interaction I’ve had with the folk at AP. And i like the fact they don’t seem to take themselves too seriously, they’re prepared to have some fun.

I currently have five APs which is ridiculous. But i can only see this going one way!

There is no doubt that there is something special about AP. And interestingly, the AP forum here is the friendliest of all the forums in my view, I get more DMs from AP folk here than any of the other forums.

I am officially declaring myself an AP fanboy!


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Well said Vince!

Originally Posted by HMHM

These days I think it’s more of fantastic four: PP, AP, Rolex and VC.
VC is gaining traction nowadays with their Overseas. And their recent releases of the Skeleton and perpetual Overseas are much better than any offering from Rolex. 1921 in platinum is another amazing release!

Couldn't agree more. Personally subjective but the quality, finishing and history on VC is in a different league than Rolex.

[eal15]

Originally Posted by GS93108

Bravo!

I know it's not the view that we all share, but I do feel that we are an AP family and I too have met a lot of lovely people through AP, not something that I ever did when I was into Rolex, but to be clear that's not a dig at Rolex at all.

Now you've made me feel bad though, so I'm going to go and 'apologise' in the other thread :)

Cheers Vince.

Lmao

[eal15]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

Still new to AP compared to many on here, even though a I’ve just got my second, but totally agree with all the above. Still yet to meet another AP owner in the flesh - you don’t see them down my part of the world :-)

I too love the brand for the people as much as anything else. The folks a Clearwater welcomed me with open arms a few years ago. Being in Toronto, I’d only get to service at a boutique or Clearwater on trips to the US which I did frequently pre-Covid. Anxiously waiting to go back later in the year to visit the NY boutique and AP House. I only have the one AP but it didn’t seem to matter to them at all. I’ll be getting another later this year. Like the poster above, I’ve only ever seen one other AP in the wild in Toronto at a restaurant. That guy was douchey and I was wearing my Panerai that day. Ironically enough, on the way home from downtown today, the wife and I saw a guy in a beat up Camry with his arm out the window. Traffic absolutely sucks here so I couldn’t get closer but he had a ROO on. I was going to comment but never got the chance. : (

[Jsol]

Here is a great example of why I too love the brand. They don’t sacrifice the small things. They are high touch with the all their customers and treat you like family. I did a little customer focus group and received a very nice gift and a nice ceo note. These touches are all but forgotten by many brans these days.




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[MileyCyrus]

Originally Posted by Jsol

Here is a great example of why I too love the brand. They don’t sacrifice the small things. They are high touch with the all their customers and treat you like family. I did a little customer focus group and received a very nice gift and a nice ceo note. These touches are all but forgotten by many brans these days.


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Way out of my price range, but it is nice to see.

What was the gift though


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[gregouille]

Very nice feedback, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[GW44]

Really great post Vince and interesting to hear your thoughts and journey in watch buying/collecting.

Thanks for sharing.

[robinmgb]

Originally Posted by Vipes

Nothing wrong with being an AP fanboy. I love my Rolex watches but when I put on an AP or Patek, it just feels different/special.

Totally agree with putting on the AP and it feeling special compared to a Rolex.
For that exact reason I don’t own a Rolex anymore and have no desire to do so, they are such a step down and I therefore can’t understand people that own a high horology watch and still rate or are even interested in a mass produced high street brand .

[AK797]

I'm with you, at first I stayed away from Rolex due to their status image, and Patek were a bit too conservative/older for me, so AP was exactly what I was looking for, sports prestige at its finest.

And while it still is for me, I have warmed up to Rolex, largely since joining this forum and seeing how many Rolex members here were classy and humble and cool, same with Patek, altho that probably also has more to do with me getting older and having a larger watch budget than a decade ago.

[Flying Doctor]

Originally Posted by Token74

I always thought that Rolex would be my watch of choice, and having owned nine of them, and still owning three, it’s fair to say I remain a big fan and I have huge respect for them as ‘go anywhere do anything’ watches.

But the truth is, as much as I like the watches, I don’t really like the brand.

I then thought it would be all about Patek. Like many fathers, I completely fell for the Patek slogan and images of fathers and their sons. And the watches are terrific. I love my 5990, and would love a 5270 and a 5740.

But, the brand isn’t me at all. It’s a very ‘posh’ and sophisticated brand, and I am a long way from that!!

AP seems to sit somewhere in between. The Royal Oak is unbelievable. 49 years on and the uninformed would struggle to tell the difference between a 5402 and a 15202. That is super impressive, and even more impressive when you consider the back story.

The Offshore is the most ‘fun’ premium watch, with only really Richard Mille for competition in my view. Back in the day I couldn’t imagine having more than one Offshore, but I now have two and already want to add a third!

I really like the 11:59 Perpetual but it isn’t really ‘me’ so it’s unlikely I will pull the trigger (although lets see what the next few years brings!), but it is a stunning watch.

The fact is, there is just something about the brand that is ‘me’. The brand has class but is not snooty. I like the AP House concept. I’ve enjoyed every interaction I’ve had with the folk at AP. And i like the fact they don’t seem to take themselves too seriously, they’re prepared to have some fun.

I currently have five APs which is ridiculous. But i can only see this going one way!

There is no doubt that there is something special about AP. And interestingly, the AP forum here is the friendliest of all the forums in my view, I get more DMs from AP folk here than any of the other forums.

I am officially declaring myself an AP fanboy!


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Could not agree more Vince and yes I would agree nearly all my DM's are the AP regulars on here!

FD.

[RiRi]

While I agree that AP people are very friendly indeed, I must also say that I never really felt welcome in the AP boutiques / houses in Madrid, Zurich or Paris ... Not sure whether the Anglo-Saxon culture is just warmer or whether I am extremely unlucky
Still love the brand though, and that speaks volumes

[MichelleP]

Love m 15450



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[cascavel]

Originally Posted by robinmgb

Totally agree with putting on the AP and it feeling special compared to a Rolex.
For that exact reason I don’t own a Rolex anymore and have no desire to do so, they are such a step down and I therefore can’t understand people that own a high horology watch and still rate or are even interested in a mass produced high street brand .

Because you can mercilessly beat the crap out of a Rolex sports watch and not really damage it and not live in fear of doorways, car doors, desk tops, kitchen appliances, water, other liquids and semi-liquids, trees, rocks etc. Or, at least, you used to be able to before everyone became so, what's the word, anal.

[ajw99]

Originally Posted by Vipes

Nothing wrong with being an AP fanboy. I love my Rolex watches but when I put on an AP or Patek, it just feels different/special.

Exactly.

[1William]

It is nice to read a definitive viewpoint from a fan of a brand that uses personal experience. I am not an informed person about AP but they do have some beautiful watches.

[KBM]

It's great to find the brand that best resonates with you. I agree that AP rules the high end sports watch category, and love many of their offerings.

I suppose all brands can rub you in a wrong way, depending on the interactions that you have with boutiques or other collectors, but we'll all have our favorites. Keep enjoying those amazing pieces, my friend.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by GS93108

Bravo!

I know it's not the view that we all share, but I do feel that we are an AP family and I too have met a lot of lovely people through AP, not something that I ever did when I was into Rolex, but to be clear that's not a dig at Rolex at all.

Now you've made me feel bad though, so I'm going to go and 'apologise' in the other thread :)

Cheers Vince.

So many classy people in the AP sub forum!

To OP, I’m with you! I was in the “never ROO” camp, but I guess secretly I was just hoping they would make it a hair smaller, and when they did, I will confess to being a convert! It’s stupid expensive for what it is, but somehow I find myself enjoying these disproportionately to the price.

[Burlington]

Agree with this.

AP, and specifically the diver range fits the bill perfectly for a tough, wear anywhere watch with top end finishing and HH on the inside.

All this with the brand history, modern approach and absolutely top end customer service is a winning package for me.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by cascavel

Because you can mercilessly beat the crap out of a Rolex sports watch and not really damage it and not live in fear of doorways, car doors, desk tops, kitchen appliances, water, other liquids and semi-liquids, trees, rocks etc. Or, at least, you used to be able to before everyone became so, what's the word, anal.

An AP sports piece need have no fear of those things either.

I would even say on average most of us on here wear our APs much harder than most on the Rolex board who are far more likely to worry about actually using them.