Reply With QuoteAP by a mile …
Obviously 2 different watches, and opinions very subjective, but out of the two which would you prefer. Thinking of trading my rootbeer in for an AP 15400 RO, white or black dial. So out of the two which would you choose.
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AP by a mile …
Didn’t you have an AP before? It depends on your lifestyle but for me I’d have the Rootbeer - then again I have a VC 4500V to quell my Genta desire.
AP costs of maintenance rules them out for me (personally).
good luck with your decision
Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 22nd April 2025 at 08:20.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Of course the correct answer is both 😉 but if I had to choose then for me the AP is levels above in every way I can quantify.
Out of the two I would go for the root beer
You’ve had a yellow gold sub and a rose gold gmt, in your shoes I might be tempted for a PM Daytona or DD.
No contest,AP
It is a difficult choice as to me both have pros and cons, the all gold rootbeer has a lovely weight to it, fits perfectly and is something different to my other stainless steel watches. Although the rose gold isn’t so flash in the flesh it is not a watch I can wear anywhere. I’ve always loved AP and have had a few 15300’s in the past and a 15450 which was too small. The pic in my earlier post is when I tried on a 15400 that I’ve not owned before, size wise I think just about ok. Downside to the AP is that it’s another stainless steel watch, plus, is it any safer to wear than the rose gold GMT as the AP is quite flashy and people who steal watches would know its value.
I got the rose gold GMT at a good price so shouldn’t loose anything if I decide to move it on. The AP should be quite a bit cheaper so would get some cash back to put to future purchases too! Hmm, decisions decisions.
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In that shot at least, the AP looks far too big for your wrist. A lovely watch though
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I'll go against the flow and say the Rootbeer , lovely watch .
I think this too.Originally Posted by numberjack
I'll go against the flow and say the Rootbeer , lovely watch .
I’m not sure a bunch of relative strangers with different tastes can really help.
FWIW I only like sports Rolex on steel, so that would be an easy trade for me. Your tastes may vary!
D
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servicing for the AP is a liberty. plus the AP is far more delicate than the RB.
A rolex can take lumps and bumps, the AP not so
Would be the AP for me as i've not owned one yet but have many a Rolex sports model.
Having recently bought an AP, I'd swap it for the Rootbeer. AP so much bigger than you expect.
This is coming from someone with a few Rolex but still lust after the RB.
Totally get what you mean-AP is way chunkier than it looks on pics. Rootbeer’s warm tone and lighter feel make it a clear win for me too
Neither are under the radar and both will be recognised. So no real difference there.
As others have mentioned a PM sports Rolex + SS AP RO really is a great combination if you can pull it off (I am trying in my attempted consolidation).
As a left field idea would a DD (WG/Pt) cover both bases ?
Otherwise from those two I would go AP though if it was AP vs YG Sub or a DD then it would be a harder choice for me.
Root beer for me. Possibly the lesser watch, but the one I’d choose based on taste and brand preferences.
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In all honesty I think the 15400 looks too big on you because of its lug/bracelet construction. I’d stick with the Rolex if it was that straight choice.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Root beer all day everyday
AP, white dial. So much more than a Rolex IMO.
On looks alone the Rootbeer by a country mile, the AP looks pretty boring.
Went to try the AP on again today and I think if I’m being honest with myself it is a tad too big for me, which is annoying as I love the watch. At least it takes the decision out of my hands and I can enjoy the rootbeer.
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*for another week
Out of the 2 my vote is rootbear
The ap is a lovely watch but is delicate and marks very easily for a ss watch also the reliability is poor.
This is coming from someone who has owned a couple .
Servicing costs are not as bad though as you’d think as they offer a transparent fixed service menu on their web site
If you have not owned one before and you need to scratch that itch they are genuinely a good watch and a lot rarer than the the rb
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If there’s a doubt about it being too big, then you’re making the right decision.
As a small wristed watch wearer, I’ve deliberated many times between an AP 37 and 41 mm RO and never truly found either to be quite right. Perversely I went with a 42 mm diver in the end and despite it being large, I love it.
Take your time deciding on your next move
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I agree that the Rootbeer fits and the AP doesn’t, so any ideas about which is objectively better go out the window. 15400 and 15202 don’t fit me either, the 37mm fits me absolutely perfectly and could be worth a try.
Rootbeer seen worn at a holiday resort, it’s quite a statement piece and a real beauty. That AP is way too big, seen many worn and never fits.
I had owned a 15450 previously but found it too small, I prefer my watches with a bit of presence.
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I’ve owned 2 x 15300 and 1 x 15450 so am familiar with the Royal Oak model….didn’t find any of them that delicate or marked that easy, but then again I am sensible with my watches.
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Or less!
The rootbeer is staying but thinking of consolidating the collection to get the AP.
Unsure why I’m dithering on size/fit for the AP 41, had a look back at some old pics of other largish watches I have owned and they look similar (or worse) than the AP I tried on and not once did I think they were too big.
I know it massively looks like I’m trying to convince myself but at the end of the day off this forum no one will care or have an opinion on if an AP41 looks to big or not.
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Not sure if that was to do with the older movements as I had only the newer movement models
The chronograph Royal Oak I had broke down after 2 months of light use .. the Chrono subdial would carry on rotating after the chronograph was switched off
And the time only version had a very delicate crown stem as I felt it was longer than Rolex models I’m used too making you very wary of setting time and winding.
They just felt very delicate .
To be fair the most robust was the diver .
But even that had its faults the strap changing system lost a little positivity when using.
And marking up was a nightmare with scratches. But I did wear mine out and about and not baby them.
Nothing major but the price point for a steel watch means the expectation was higher
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I think you’re taking the watch pictures way too close Michael. Try taking a picture in a mirror view or ask someone else to take one? You’ll tend to get distortion from the phone camera lens at close up?
How many of those others do you still have? Is there a common reason why they moved on?
Good hunting!
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Did you try a 15510 yet Mike? Whilst a 41mm just like the 15400 (and 15500) I felt that it wore a little smaller.
I think your sweat spot would be a Jumbo but worth trying a 15510
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None of those look outlandish to me, just looks like you prefer your watches a bit bigger. Don’t think I’ve ever seen you pop up with a DJ36 whereas others will wear one happily and say it’s the correct size when it’s visibly too small.
I’m biased but AP every time. All I really wear now.
I wasn't keen on the 15450 either, maybe the thickness combined with the tapering bracelet, it didn't sit well, it felt a bit unisex and never had the appeal of the much thinner old 14790ST. The 15550ST though is a different proposition. I'm not sure what they changed but it seems perfect now. Jumbo or chrono could work obviously, and Offshore may be the 'presence' option if that's your cup of tea. Apart from that I'm not sure Royal Oaks are a good choice for 'having a bit of presence', they either fit our they don't, and they have the best presence when they fit.
Not sure one can really compare the two as (aside from price in the market) as the AP is just in a different league to the Rolex. The hand finishing of the bracelet is worth the entry point to AP alone imv.
15300 every time for me Micheal. Obviously bias having bought your old one but I do think 39mm is the sweet spot for the RO. That one looks too big and overhangs way more than a normal case / bracelet watch in the other pics
The RB is lovely watch though with such nice tones together and on my list to own at some point as, relatively speaking of course, they seem reasonable value to me compared to the PM Daytonas.
Gratuitous pic of your old AP I still have and absolutely adore
I think the Rootbeer has more character, not something I'd often say about a modern Rolex but personally I find the AP very bland and generic aesthetically.
Still got the rootbeer, the more I wear it the more I’m warming to it, so I think it will end up staying (although trying to find a way to get an AP too!)
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None of them as they are too screaming watches...but if you like to wear this way then AP all the way
Try on an all steel bracelet - takes the edge off!Still got the rootbeer, the more I wear it the more I’m warming to it, so I think it will end up staying (although trying to find a way to get an AP too!)
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“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Funny you say that as I’m trying to get a 97200 bracelet for my BLNR, but doesn’t seem any about (if you have one to sell let me know), although having said that I think the brown bezel does goes best against the rose gold…I think it clashes against stainless steel and am not keen on the two tone version for that reason.Try on an all steel bracelet - takes the edge off!
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Would look rather daft with the OPs root beer…Try on an all steel bracelet - takes the edge off!
Solid rose gold case with a full steel bracelet.
Ah - I see I thought the OP had a Rootbeer (two tone) not solid gold case and full gold bracelet? If all gold fair comment.
I tried the experimental swap with my LV bracelet onto my rootbeer TT - I had at the time - both maxi cased. Also tried NATO and rubber straps. In the end went back to the original bracelet.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
I remember you switching the bracelets live during a zoom GTG. I thought it looked good, albeit I still haven’t got around to trying it myself. I think it would also look good with an Oysterflex.
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