New arrival, only 1letter out from my grail...

[luckyal]

All,

I had a recent thread where i pondered the wisdom of selling 3 or more of my watches & 'trading up' (much debated here!) to a PP Nautilus. Well that discussion got me thinking & was quickly followed by a hunt for a flat by the sea that quickly escalated to the point that the extra funds i would have required began to stretch even my flexi man maths.

So after more thought, the sale of my JLC Navy Seals & GO SE GMT, the latter of which i am definitely missing more, i had an amount of cash which didn't get me to a PP.I then developed an infatuation with a Blowers sale offering that was only one letter away, being this AP RO Day Date (26330), so after about a 100 visits to the site pondering, it finally got bought.

I've tried to take a few decent pics, but my skills will never flatter it as much as it deserves.

Initial thoughts are that it is definitely a step up in quality from what i've had before, the level of detail in the dial & the finish is superb. The varied amount of brushed & polished surfaces is a sight to behold & works so well, although i can see it's scratch potential. From previous write ups i expected it to sit very high but the whole thing feels positively dainty (imho) whilst solid at the same time. Am very impressed...
















So i've sacrificed some diversity , but feel with these remaining :


& my Sinn UXS, Azimuth Bombardier + beaters, i'm in not bad shape.

Alex

[Kozzy]

Lovely!

[andybourke]

stunning trio. nicely done!

[feilersen]

Hi Alex

Are you still happy with the watch?

What is your experience after wearing it for some months?

HAGWE

[luckyal]

Fred,

Absolutely loving it. It impresses me more as time goes on, the quality feel, solid well engineered bracelet & imho transfixing dial. I've recently had an opportunity to try a Nautilus on & tbh it was a bit of a disappointment by comparison.

Only itch is that i keep looking & seeing nearly £10k on my wrist & think to myself i could sell & get a couple of nice watches & put £5k back in the bank too, but you only live once & as i don't have to go down the more sensible route yet, then i won't!

If you're toying with the idea, i'd try one & you won't be disappointed i'm sure.

Alex

[feilersen]

Hi Alex

Thanks for the response.

I find the day date model more interesting than the standard Royal Oak.

How sensitive is the watch to scratches? I hear scratches and dings show up very easy on the fine brushed case and edges of the AP Royal Oak models.

How large does it wear compared to a Rolex Sub (the old 16610)?

Thanks

[paulrlx]

Wonderful AP. I've always fancied one, but haven't come across the right Royal Oak at the right price yet.

[DB9yeti]

Lovely; I had no desire for an AP until very randomly I tried on a ROO; next thing I know the Daytona is gone an it's on! Fantastic design and a lot of presence on the wrist without being too showy.

However, I am also acutely aware that I consider my ROO the deposit for my Nautilis 5980 one day. Surprised to hear you were disappointed in it..? What let it down?

[luckyal]

Hi Alex

Thanks for the response.

I find the day date model more interesting than the standard Royal Oak.

How sensitive is the watch to scratches? I hear scratches and dings show up very easy on the fine brushed case and edges of the AP Royal Oak models.

How large does it wear compared to a Rolex Sub (the old 16610)?

Thanks

Fred,

I am a clumsy so & so who has picked up a ding or two in my time & this watch has an abundance of brushed surfaces, however i am yet to pick up a single one! Maybe i'm being extra careful because i am aware of it's reputation but thus far it isn't proving as delicate as i thought.

I've not had a 16610 so cannot comment but would say the AP seems to hit a sweet spot for me with my 7.75 inch wrists. I've had 34mm Rolexes that are too dainty, 47mm pilots that are frankly too big & a number of 42-44mm Panerais or GOs that feel "ok" but always conscious of the fact they are hefty. The AP seems to sit right in the middle & be a near perfect size, with a height that i had heard was on the high side but doesn't feel that way to me at all.

I really liked the DD too, as much as i like the standard plainer dial, the DD jumped out at me.

DB9 - a misunderstanding, not dissapointed at all, i love it, classic design, lots of presence but goes under the radar for 99.9% of most people. I inhabit a world where the majority seem to be Rolex wearers & most haven't a clue what it is, whereas a lot of non WIS colleagues who know my proclivities have remarked on it being their favourite of the ones they have seen on my wrist.

Alex