What draws you to the APRO?

[piratfisk]

Very nervous venturing away from the crown-faithful with this post, but there has been so much hype surrounding the APRO recently. I'm not one to follow the whims of celebrities & other trends, but I'm curious: as an APRO owner, what is the X factor to your watch that I'm naive to? I hope I'm correct in assuming this esteemed group of e-colleagues also don't buy the "current hype watch," so what's it all about?

I've never handled one, just seen videos online & the rare occasion of seeing one "in the wild." The 37mm 50th anniv. with the ice blue dial is very attractive (like this one).

Do I have a spare $50k to spend on another watch? Not at the moment, as my Smurf is my pride & joy. Do I browse C24 whenever I'm not actively working? I plead the 5th.

jlg

[jedione65]

They are very well finished and the bracelet is very unique in the way it bends. It is very angular and each polished angle shines like a jewel. The dial pattern with the tapisserie is also very intricate. Case is unique. Often imitated but never replicated.

That said - these APROs are usually not as accurate or reliable as a Rolex for every day wear. It looks unsightly with scratches and they do scratch a lot. You have to try to keep it pristine. And IMO the only attractive watch AP makes is the classic Royal Oak, not the offshore or the code or the other jewelry royal oaks.

[HMHM]

Transitioning to AP from Rolex previously, the first thing that struck me with AP was the bracelet. I remember having dinner with family and saw a guy walking by with a RO which greatly raised my interest as the bracelet was spectacular. The shine and finish of the bracelet on the RO is unrivalled. Next is the octagonal bezel. The polish and shape of it, with all its screws perfectly aligned, as opposed to other brands with visible screws such as Hublot and Cartier, demonstrate why the RO is a class above these brands. I think the dial of the RO can be hit or miss, depending on which RO you are getting.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by jedione65

...
That said - these APROs are usually not as accurate or reliable as a Rolex for every day wear. It looks unsightly with scratches and they do scratch a lot. You have to try to keep it pristine. And IMO the only attractive watch AP makes is the classic Royal Oak, not the offshore or the code or the other jewelry royal oaks.

This is a fascinating observation, one that I've never heard before. I guess I falsely assumed that as one "goes up" in watch "tiers" towards haute horologie, the movements become better. I don't wear a watch daily, as I currently WFH, living & dying by my Outlook calendar but I'd be so sad if I wore a hard-earned APRO on a night out/week vacation/special occasion & it couldn't keep time!

I concur that the scratches would be immediately unsightly & I assure you, I am now showy enough to wear something bejeweled. Thank you for your insight!

[Commandopat]

I will agree that my RO is not as accurate as my Sub ND which after weeks is running at +.5
That said, the bracelet on the RO is amazing and what sets it apart from everything else.
The shape of the bezel too is unusual and makes it very different from other watches I had.
The bracelet scratches at roughly the same rate as anything else. The bezel being highly polished does show fine scratches more. Unsightly is a matter of perspective - I love wearing my watches so if they get scratched then so be it. Eventually i will service/polish them and it’ll be as good as new.
Honestly, the day to day accuracy compared to my Rolex bothers me more than the ease with which it scratches, but neither are enough for me to not love them.

[EdwardC]

bracelet. #1 factor for sure.

[westoque]

I would describe the APRO as “iconic” with it being the first stainless steel watch, the story that it saved AP from collapse and pretty much starting the stainless steel watch movement. This together with its unique design and incredible finishing makes the RO a must have for any watch collector. For me, it’s the combined history, quality and looks make me love my RO. Romanticizing, but there is a different feeling looking at my wrist with an AP vs say looking at my Rolex.


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[m3tek44]

It all started with Rolex which I thought it was world's BEST watch but you start reading books/article it turns there are iconic/history other brands such as AP. Bracelet along with dial of 5402 is when I fell in love. I knew AP was IT. Rest is history... journey continues.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by westoque

I would describe the APRO as “iconic” with it being the first stainless steel watch, the story that it saved AP from collapse and pretty much starting the stainless steel watch movement. This together with its unique design and incredible finishing makes the RO a must have for any watch collector. For me, it’s the combined history, quality and looks make me love my RO. Romanticizing, but there is a different feeling looking at my wrist with an AP vs say looking at my Rolex.


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Pretty much covers it. Plus the history around how Genta designed the Royal Oak is fascinating I find. Absolute genius design.

[WatchEater666]

The bracelet finishing and design is it for me.

Outside of the bracelet, they are not well finished really.

Seriously considering a vintage tropical dial quartz APRO because of the above...

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

This is a fascinating observation, one that I've never heard before. I guess I falsely assumed that as one "goes up" in watch "tiers" towards haute horologie, the movements become better. I don't wear a watch daily, as I currently WFH, living & dying by my Outlook calendar but I'd be so sad if I wore a hard-earned APRO on a night out/week vacation/special occasion & it couldn't keep time!

I concur that the scratches would be immediately unsightly & I assure you, I am now showy enough to wear something bejeweled. Thank you for your insight!

No one is saying Rolex movements are better than AP’s. Rolex has accuracy and reliability; AP has nicely decorated movements. Some prefer reliability, others want a beautiful movement.

[spellmanski]

Do people think a APRO could be a daily?

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by spellmanski

Do people think a APRO could be a daily?

Unless I’m in the field for training possibly, I usually daily my RO or ROC.

[srvrf]

The bracelet and bezel are great, but don't forget about the tapisserie dials. There's nothing quite like them.

As for daily wear and scratches, I never worry. You'll scratch any non-ceramic watch but you can have AP polish it whenever it goes in for service.

[jedione65]

Also don’t forget that if you want to polish it or refinish it with a service, it should only be done by AP or very few other refinish specialists. Anyone else will ruin your watch. These watches can be outright ruined by improper polishing.

[Ichiran]

I'm drawn to the industrial aesthetics of the octagonal bezel with screw-heads along it, the blue Tapisserie dial, beautifully finished tapering bracelets with chamfered edges and last but not least, the story behind the creation of this watch. This watch is perfect.

[agsstructures]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I'm drawn to the industrial aesthetics of the octagonal bezel with screw-heads along it, the blue Tapisserie dial, beautifully finished tapering bracelets with chamfered edges and last but not least, the story behind the creation of this watch. This watch is perfect.

This pretty much sums it up. I also compare it to an Eames lounge chair, some absolutely love the iconic design and some think its hideous.

[neal.jy]

Most of it’s been covered by the other replies above me already, but I love the history of the RO - how it was conceived and how it arguably saved AP and the Swiss watchmaking industry from the Quartz Crisis. I also love the boldness and elegance of the design, and of course the way the bracelet and overall watch shimmers is truly something special.


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[crispyness87]

Originally Posted by neal.jy

Most of it’s been covered by the other replies above me already, but I love the history of the RO - how it was conceived and how it arguably saved AP and the Swiss watchmaking industry from the Quartz Crisis. I also love the boldness and elegance of the design, and of course the way the bracelet and overall watch shimmers is truly something special.


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100% agree with the above, and the similar posts.

Royal oaks showed the horology world the concept of a luxury steel sports watch, so in my mind Royal Oaks are the purest.

[crispyness87]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I'm drawn to the industrial aesthetics of the octagonal bezel with screw-heads along it, the blue Tapisserie dial, beautifully finished tapering bracelets with chamfered edges and last but not least, the story behind the creation of this watch. This watch is perfect.

Nicely put.

[leisen]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

I will agree that my RO is not as accurate as my Sub ND which after weeks is running at +.5
That said, the bracelet on the RO is amazing and what sets it apart from everything else.
The shape of the bezel too is unusual and makes it very different from other watches I had.
The bracelet scratches at roughly the same rate as anything else. The bezel being highly polished does show fine scratches more. Unsightly is a matter of perspective - I love wearing my watches so if they get scratched then so be it. Eventually i will service/polish them and it’ll be as good as new.
Honestly, the day to day accuracy compared to my Rolex bothers me more than the ease with which it scratches, but neither are enough for me to not love them.

In my own experience AP watches are neither accurate nor reliable. They're beautiful.

[construda]

Nothing out there is like a RO. I have a rose gold 41mm on leather strap and I have never received so many compliments on a watch in my life - most of them from non-watch people - the design, finishing etc. are all top notch

[Ashj52]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

I've never handled one, just seen videos online & the rare occasion of seeing one "in the wild." The 37mm 50th anniv. with the ice blue dial is very attractive

jlg

The Royal Oak is spectacular, and I think you will appreciate it more once you have your hands on one. The finishing, in my opinion, is magnificent, and I would encourage you to have a look at the movement through a loupe.

This ice blue dial variation is also very, very nice.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by leisen

In my own experience AP watches are neither accurate nor reliable. They're beautiful.

Fair enough. My own experiences in the last few years is somewhat different but each to their own.

And yes they are beautiful watches

[2loaded]

Not a g'damn thing...No 70's skrewhead octagon styling needed in the collection.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

I will agree that my RO is not as accurate as my Sub ND which after weeks is running at +.5

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

Rolex has accuracy and reliability; AP has nicely decorated movements. Some prefer reliability, others want a beautiful movement.

Originally Posted by leisen

In my own experience AP watches are neither accurate nor reliable. They're beautiful.

Thank you to you three who shared this insight. The accuracy can't possibly be that bad, can it? These days, it's rare I wear one of my Rolexes for more than a day. I am by no means obsessive about accuracy (the +2/-2 of Rolex is more than enough), but I expect paying tens-of-thousands I can rely on a watch to be better/more accurate than an off-the-shelf NH35A. Are you all talking about worse than 10sec/day accuracy?

Originally Posted by Ashj52

The Royal Oak is spectacular, and I think you will appreciate it more once you have your hands on one. The finishing, in my opinion, is magnificent, and I would encourage you to have a look at the movement through a loupe.

This ice blue dial variation is also very, very nice.

I'm not normally drawn to the industrial school of design thought. I'd love to handle one in person, wear it for a few minutes. Hey, if you're ever in San Diego...

[huncho]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

Thank you to you three who shared this insight. The accuracy can't possibly be that bad, can it? These days, it's rare I wear one of my Rolexes for more than a day. I am by no means obsessive about accuracy (the +2/-2 of Rolex is more than enough), but I expect paying tens-of-thousands I can rely on a watch to be better/more accurate than an off-the-shelf NH35A. Are you all talking about worse than 10sec/day accuracy?
I'm not normally drawn to the industrial school of design thought. I'd love to handle one in person, wear it for a few minutes. Hey, if you're ever in San Diego...

mine loses roughly 3-5 sec a day

[Palex]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Transitioning to AP from Rolex previously, the first thing that struck me with AP was the bracelet. I remember having dinner with family and saw a guy walking by with a RO which greatly raised my interest as the bracelet was spectacular. The shine and finish of the bracelet on the RO is unrivalled. Next is the octagonal bezel. The polish and shape of it, with all its screws perfectly aligned, as opposed to other brands with visible screws such as Hublot and Cartier, demonstrate why the RO is a class above these brands. I think the dial of the RO can be hit or miss, depending on which RO you are getting.

This was exactly what I wanted to post

[APhound]

I have two royal oaks and two offshores.
They are my favorite watches to wear.
To me, they are more like wearing a piece of jewelry than a watch. Your sub is a better watch, I also have a gold sub and it’s fantastic.

Put it this way, I have a platinum day date, I would compare it to a stainless royal oak, they’re about even, and if I could only keep one id keep the ss royal oak..


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[huncho]

Originally Posted by arbees319

I have two royal oaks and two offshores.
They are my favorite watches to wear.
To me, they are more like wearing a piece of jewelry than a watch. Your sub is a better watch, I also have a gold sub and it’s fantastic.

Put it this way, I have a platinum day date, I would compare it to a stainless royal oak, they’re about even, and if I could only keep one id keep the ss royal oak..


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yeah to me a steel RO = a day date. they both have the same balance of watch/jewelry/specialness imo