We Have An Incoming! AP T-3

[SubKing]

I feel like this has been a long time coming..

These days, AP has really changed their approach. The company is not producing as many limited editions as they used to. I can only assume that cut back was done so when a limited does come out, it will be very special and not another over saturated "limited".

The materials AP is using now are cutting edge and for good reason to. Rubber is being replaced with ceramic, The classic machined tapisserie dials are starting to be stamped in more and more pieces instead of the classic machined technique.

But it's that classic machining technique that gives the dials those textures and depth. I'm sure AP will always revert back to classic techniques, but on the more main stream pieces like offshore models, things are definitely changing.

Going forward into the future, AP is taking a direction to make sure things become more and more efficient, that's for sure.

But there is something about the older pieces that really make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Almost the same as rolex used to make me feel.. Back when rolex didn't use green plastic presentation box's, but instead gave you leather wrapped boxes with real polish cloths and little goodies inside the box.. Those beautiful certificates are now replaced with a green plastic credit card!

Anyways, the T3 piece gives me that same kind of warm and fuzzy feeling. Almost feels like it's the end of an era with watches.

Something about purchasing a new watch today feels very sterile, I definitely don't get the same feeling I used to when I get a new piece. Sure I'm happy when I get a new piece, but something is missing from that still.

Recently, I was able to jump into a time machine and relive that old feeling.

On to the story:

When I started getting into AP, My AD was already long sold out of the T3 edition's.

So it's something I put on the back burner for years.

Being I am so particular about the condition of my timepieces, I did not want one pre-owned..

Every T-3 piece on ebay has been refinished and serviced by a third party (I have asked) and when it comes to AP, I only want AP to have serviced it.

Even a couple dealers that list them as "new" when I called, they stated that it had been serviced previously by a third party..

Every T3 AP I saw over the years in person that was for sale, was in rough shape. I suppose due to the massive size, the thing is a scratch magnet.

The Last T3 I viewed to go purchase had a gash on the crystal, scratches on the dial and hands, and the bezel was installed incorrectly. Safe to say I passed.

The watch was released 13 years ago, so my chances of finding a new old stock piece were slim.

My AP Dealer had a T-3 piece that was tucked away in his vault that was Brand New and it was the dial color I wanted to boot. I only found out about it through casual conversation with the owner of the AD who happens to be a friend.

For almost two months, I been trying to make a deal for this piece that would make him want to part with it... The price it would take to get the piece was more than I was looking to spend, but where else was I going to find a new one?

The piece has been verified by AP to have had 0 service history and AP also confirmed the watch has not been tampered with since it left the factory new.

It has been sitting in the box for 13 years..

In fact, the watch has been sitting for so long, the certificate folio was literally stuck to the bottom of the inner leather box and had to be ripped off.. Thank god the certificate was safe inside the folio...

The piece came in the rare and earlier style all leather T3 box that was released before the release of the T3 DVD, that came in the steel topped box later on.

The watch is HUGE and wears big, but it is a T3 after all and that's what makes it so special. More of an iconic collectible than an every day piece.

I thought maybe the watch would need a service, being it has been sitting for so many years.. But it actually keeps time perfectly, so I will hold off for now.

I told myself that if I ever land a T3, I am going to fit it with the aramid Kevlar strap that comes on the AP Legacy piece.

My dealer had received the special order strap, I left the piece there for instillation. When I arrived back, I walked up to the AP boutique and look down in the case and there it was.

It blew my mind, the combo was so perfect. I'm sure if AP had thought of this strap back then, they would have used it.

This strap Just seems so much more appropriate for a T3 than the black leather strap that comes on the piece from the factory. It's completely made from titanium so it is so light on the wrist.

Please enjoy some pics below.

[911Cab]

Congrats on the find. Looks like a different watch and has a much better look on the Kevlar. Just not a fan of the pushers or guards. Wear it in the very best of health.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

Congratulations

I'd try wearing it below your wrist bone as those pusher guards looks like they might be digging into your wrist.

Interesting piece

[SubKing]

The pusher guards are actually not uncomfortable at all. They feel the same against my wrist as my panerai does.

[brandrea]

I really like stories like this. Lots of research, and in the end, finding an amazing piece just as you were looking for. Congrats again

[Manofsteelpt]

LOVE the T3, HUGE 48mm congrats!!!!

[Luv2XcelR8]

Very cool piece and nice write up! I can't imagine how special that felt after such a long journey.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gummy]

Real Cool...Congrats!

[AshAP]

Looks cool, the Kevlar strap is the right choice.

[csi-n]

Congrats on such a special piece.

[LordBird]

Congratulations!!!! Very cool piece!!!!!

[Colin W]

Big congrats - that is one heck of a lucky find, brand new. The Kevlar strap looks amazing, as if it were made for the T3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sssteel]

Good for you!! Big congrats!
Thanks for sharing with us - I almost felt like I lived it too!

[singe89]

Awesome find! Huge congrats on a bad a$$ ROO!

[m32]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I really like stories like this. Lots of research, and in the end, finding an amazing piece just as you were looking for. Congrats again

+1! Love reading stories like this! Huge congrats!!

Edsin

[masterserg]

Love it! Congratulations and enjoy!

[mynameistaken]

Nice, congrats


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lapince]

Congrats it is very special

[The B]

That is a fantastic! No doubt you will know exactly how to care for such a piece of movie/watch culture. Thanks for sharing the story...

[Tourbeon]

Nice!

[speedfighter]

That's an awesome watch-Wear in good health!!!

[Hairdude1]

Major Congrats!

[AJM914]

Congrats wow thats cool!

[benlee]

A special piece. Congrats!

[SamGMT]

Wow! Congrats! This is cool!!

[jschmidtdmd]

Congrats!!! Great story

[drgoro]

Awesome find my man, enjoy the hell out of that watch!

[SubKing]

Thank you all for the warm comments. Here is a pretty cool screen shot from the movie Terminator 3, where Arnold Schwarzenegger breaks into a truck to steal it, he pulls down the sun visor expecting the trucks key to fall down, and instead the AP falls into his hand.

This one must be an earlier prototype they used on screen for the film, because the screws are protruding out above the bezel. The production pieces were never like this


Here is another picture of the actual watch used on screen that is in the AP museum.
If you look close, you will see the watch is incredibly rough form. The dial doesn't have the tapisserie design, rather just a rough bead blasted finish. The chrono pushers also are different and very rough. I can imagine since filming began so early, AP probably only had a very early prototype for them to use to feature the watch on screen.

pretty interesting and thought I would share it with all of you.

[Left wrist]

awesome!!