Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

[GoldenBear]

WHERE did they WEAR their watches? LOL..

[Welshwatchman]

I think it is a bit unfair to label the majority of Rolex owners in a negative way.

I know that some people call Porsche owners "wankers" but that is another unfair stereotypical view and only applies to a relatively small amount of individuals.

Of course we all know individuals who live up to the "wanker" image, conceited, demeaning of other people's views, that sort of thing.

We tolerate them and seldom do we call them out on it.

Rolex enthusiasts are the salt of the earth, I find. Same applies to genuine Porsche enthusiasts.

[haakon59]

The AP Royal Oak is a very nice watch. I have tried one on many times and if you are going to compare them with Rolex, here is what I would say:

1. AP Much more exclusive, compared to Rolex
2. AP Real handwork/hand finishing, especially compared to Rolex.
3. AP Beautiful work all the way around. You will appreciate it's beauty as a work of art. You will be impressed.
4. AP Impressive horological skills.

1. Rolex More rugged by comparison (the AP bezel scratches much easier)
2. Rolex Much less expensive to maintain. Rolex is around $400.00 while AP is $1200-1500.
3. Rolex is well known and therefore has better resale percentagewise, even though knowlegible people (of which there are not too many) will far prefer the AP. But in general, Rolex is much better, especially in the wider public markets.

I would say your choice depends a little on how it will fit in your life. If you have some Rolex watches already, it might be fun to buy the AP and wear it and let it dazzle you. But if the maintenance costs would be high for you, I would say stick with Rolex and Omega. But if you have some Rolex and you have the money for maintenance, bring some beauty into your life by having a watch from a company which tries it's hardest to bring that beauty and buy AP.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by haakon59

The AP Royal Oak is a very nice watch. I have tried one on many times and if you are going to compare them with Rolex, here is what I would say:

1. AP Much more exclusive, compared to Rolex
2. AP Real handwork/hand finishing, especially compared to Rolex.
3. AP Beautiful work all the way around. You will appreciate it's beauty as a work of art. You will be impressed.
4. AP Impressive horological skills.

1. Rolex More rugged by comparison (the AP bezel scratches much easier)
2. Rolex Much less expensive to maintain. Rolex is around $400.00 while AP is $1200-1500.
3. Rolex is well known and therefore has better resale percentagewise, even though knowlegible people (of which there are not too many) will far prefer the AP. But in general, Rolex is much better, especially in the wider public markets.

I would say your choice depends a little on how it will fit in your life. If you have some Rolex watches already, it might be fun to buy the AP and wear it and let it dazzle you. But if the maintenance costs would be high for you, I would say stick with Rolex and Omega. But if you have some Rolex and you have the money for maintenance, bring some beauty into your life by having a watch from a company which tries it's hardest to bring that beauty and buy AP.

Stated perfectly!

[Altair]

I never undrstood this brand loyality thing myself, if I like a watch I buy it and as far as im concerned the company owes me for buying their product, not the other way around. Rolex makes some fine watches, and some stinkers too but they are all a step up quality wise from most Omegas (not all).

Having a personal opinion is fine, and you are free to express it in a sensible manner as a gentleman. However coming over to a Rolex forum where there are people who feel passionate about something and constantly bashing that product is the definition of trolling. There are tons of Omega forums and im sure you will find alot of people who would love to share your enthusiasm for hating Rolex, just as their are people around here who bash Breitling, Tag etc etc to feel better about their purchases.

If you think the SMP is a better chrono than the Daytona you are seriousely ignorant.

Lets just enjoy our watches people and the company and knowledge available here, no need to compare penise sizes.

[Altair]

As far as AP, they are fine fine watches and definately a step up from Rolex quality wise. A bit too much money for my blood though, with that kind of cash I am planning to get a JLC Reverso GMT as my only ultra high end watch.

That said I would take an AP over a Daytona (as much as I like it) anyday, the finish and workmanship on an AP is something to behold, the JLC Reverso GMT combines higher level workmanship with great style and tons of complications for a reasonable enough price (can be had from an AD for around 8k)

[time]

Thanks!


I have considered AP RO a long time while owning several Rolex'......

I think it is not common sense to buy a brand new AP due to the price. Indeed, I will consider to buy a AP RO 15300 99% new some day

AP is much better well-made, however, Rolex is the overall best for daily wearing. Owning a watch is not investment, so I will buy the watches I like. Now, I like AP indeed - in additional to Sub/Expl/GMT......of cause.

[abigsecret]

WOW WOW WOW Hold-on!
I did not say Omega was inferior!
I was just trying to make a comparison with mass production over more exclusiveness and higher price over a little less expensive....
I had no intention whatsoever to make Omega sound like a bad watch! Sh!t, if I compared it with Rolex, means I like it right?
I didn't want to put "Movado" or something, because that just really wouldn't have made sense!

OK gents, lets all kiss and make up! I mean, shake hands and forget about it!

Mireyna

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

WOW WOW WOW Hold-on!
I did not say Omega was inferior!
I was just trying to make a comparison with mass production over more exclusiveness and higher price over a little less expensive....
I had no intention whatsoever to make Omega sound like a bad watch! Sh!t, if I compared it with Rolex, means I like it right?
I didn't want to put "Movado" or something, because that just really wouldn't have made sense!

OK gents, lets all kiss and make up! I mean, shake hands and forget about it!

Mireyna

I'm up for the kiss, Mireyna.....the rest of the guys may ONLY shake hands with you!!

[vukotab]

My good friend have AP Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph wit rubber bracelet.I tried it billion times on my wrist and I`m 100% certain that I would NEVER buy that watch.Not that I don`t know anything about brand(I`m well informed with it`s history and I respect it very much),but I simply don`t like it.Like I said,I`m aware of it`s quality and in-house made movement,but I would go for Rolex or even Omega instead of ot in a less than a heartbeat.

[TARDIS]

Chuck Yeager - first past the speed of sound - Bell X-1, and subsequently to the edge of space.....he had some serious mishaps too.

BTW he wore a GMT Master. Still does I believe.

[TARDIS]

Not withstanding that AP is a superb watch...........

Please some one tell me how many sport Rolex I could buy for the price of a AP ROO?

Comparison?
It seems a few chaps here get a bit uppity about Rolex v. Omega, so I won't go there.

How about this comparison............

911 GT2 Porsche
Bugatti Veyron

I'll leave that open

Steve

[lardog]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

Not withstanding that AP is a superb watch...........

Please some one tell me how many sport Rolex I could buy for the price of a AP ROO?

Comparison?
It seems a few chaps here get a bit uppity about Rolex v. Omega, so I won't go there.

How about this comparison............

911 GT2 Porsche
Bugatti Veyron

I'll leave that open

Steve

The Porsche 997 GT2 is a Great car for $200,000.00

Is a Bugatti Veyron worth $1,000,000.00?

[rpryan55]

Steve -

The Bugatti. What a car. Beautiful, elegant, and fast. But the GT2 is a finely tuned, impossibly engineered racing machine. There is no substitute. Give me the one from Stuttgart.

Oh, and I'll always take a Rolex - each and every time. Just a better timepiece, IMHO. Maybe not as pretty, or as delicate, but as fine a watch as was ever made.

[TARDIS]

Is a Bugatti Veyron worth $1,000,000.00?

It is to some people.

[Jedi]

I have been looking outside of the Rolex stable recently, and AP RO and ROO have been on the list of possibilities, as well as Vacheron, and Patek.

Starting with the RO and ROO, I quickly ruled out the ROO due to the fact that they are mainly chrono's and furthermore, they don't seem to quite live up to the image that the names conjure. They are supposed to be sports models right? Meaning tough right? Meaning at the very least, waterproof right? And what's with calling a watch 'Offshore' if you can't take it down very deep with you? Yes yes yes, I know about the sailing connotations but you don't need a watch that looks like a tank to go sailing... Great design, but for me, let down by function. Also, some snooping here and there reveals that the movements may, and I stress here, MAY, not be as precise as what I'm currently used to.

VC Overseas, and I agree with Big Hat on many of the qualities he's already discussed. After all, they are resistant to at least 100m of water, and their Chrono models are designed to work to that depth too using similar screw down pushers to the Daytona.

But to me, the one singing and smiling the most, has to be the Patek Phillipe Nautilus. Water resistant, unique design of the case, and a kick-ass movement.

The DNA that runs through these watches though, has to be that the pen/mind of one designer had an influence at some point in time, starting with the RO then Nautilus... Gerald Genta.

[TARDIS]

AP make quartz models.

[Thurnau]

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Is anyone gunna post a pic of one?

[TheDude]

Here you go... Funny thing, I was watching "The Biggest Loser" last night on NBC, and the male trailer had one that was rose gold with black bezel on... Must be paying him too much. ;)

Could have been this one...




Lots more really cool looking shots of Royal Oaks here:

http://www.tp178.com/SJX/Basel_SIHH/...2007/ap/ap.htm

[thedips]

AUDEMARS ROYAL OAK IS DEAD SEXY... and DEAD HEAVY.... i love it....

[DoxaDavid]

Wow, I thought the original post was asking about Audemars vs. Rolex not Rolex vs. Omega?

I think there have been several perfectly stated posts comparing AOO to a Role'. With me, it comes down to "what moves me" when I wear a watch. I know it is a subjective thing but I buy my watches based on when I put them on, how do they make me feel the first time. With my Rolex Sub, I loved it the minute I tried it on and still do to this day. I will always have one. It would be the last watch I own if I was forced to sell all the rest.
I bought my first one not knowing diddly about quality, name recognition or anything else. I liked the way it looked, felt etc.

I have several Omega's and they are excellent watches. I'll save the comparisons for another post since they have been covered here already.

As to the AOO, I had an opportunity last year to purchase one from a watch dealer friend of mine. It was the chrono with the rubber pushers. I could have purchased it for 1/2 off which was a steal. I went to see him with the intention of purchasing it but when I tried it on, I was thinking."It's ok" but wasn't wowed as they say. Not knocking the watch it just didn't do it for me regardless how good a deal. I guess what I am saying is it doesn't matter how nice a watch is built, quality, exclusivity or anything else if it doesn't call out and hit that intangible feeling that says "BUY ME", it isn't the right watch.

If you try on a AOO and it does, it's the right one. If not, look for another..It's that simple for me.

Good luck.
David

[MIKWANA]

Hello,one and all
want to know your thought's regarding Frank Muller watches.

[Jedi]

Mikwana, I suggest that you start a new thread regarding Franck Muller as this thread is about Audemars Piguet.

[MAC4130]

AP vs Rolex?!?!?!? well very different watches IMHO! atough I respect AP and their lineage I have trouble likeing them! The one that catchs my atention best is the Royal Oaks Offshore, but still have trouble with the price tag (over 18k), I would go for a Rolex between them because I like Rolex Sports models a lot more just based on their looks, now if you mix in maintenance cost and reilability I think Rolex wins again!
On the other hand if I was to spend 18k or more I would probably consider a VC or a Patek, but only after owning a Rolex, since I would have a VC or a PP just for special ocasions! but hey that's just me!