The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[Warren G.]



 

[Hayward]

This looks great. Details on the Tudor?

9411/0, provenance unknown. On a Rhein Fils nanotech brown leather strap. Rolex triplock crown. Need to find an 18mm Rolex or Tudor Buckle for it. Looking for 1680 head only to keep it company.

 

[in stitches]



The 210 and the 112 would be the two contenders I would be looking at. I initially was much more interested in the 112, but lately the 210 has really caused me to have doubts. Fortunately, it is a decision I need not make for quite some time .

its really an impossible decision. i flip flopped daily on it. only real answer is to get both.

you'll get your due, fear not. patience my good man.

 

[aleksandr]

Shiny new toy!

In an ideal world, I would've gone with the 7 day power reserve, but ultimately decided I couldn't justify the additional cost. It could've gone a fair way toward my /next/ shiny new toy, but that's another story. I also took a long time deciding between the black dial and the white dial, and I would honestly have been happy with either, but a killer deal came along on a black dial so.. here we are!

 

[in stitches]

lovely choice, aleksandr!! enjoy!

---
stupid customs has delayed my watch delivery.

 

[Sander]



The matte dials Rolex and Tudor made for these watches tend to gas up and bubble under a lot of sun. It's a testament that the watch was used in the environment it was designed for. Nothing wrong with a little wabi-sabi. Rolex then switched to an enamel dial which is less vulnerable to the sun, but awfully shiny. 

I think it looks nice.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Shiny new toy!
In an ideal world, I would've gone with the 7 day power reserve, but ultimately decided I couldn't justify the additional cost. It could've gone a fair way toward my /next/ shiny new toy, but that's another story. I also took a long time deciding between the black dial and the white dial, and I would honestly have been happy with either, but a killer deal came along on a black dial so.. here we are!

I agree with your logic. Beautiful watch.

 

[aleksandr]



lovely choice, aleksandr!! enjoy!
---
stupid customs has delayed my watch delivery.

good things come to those who wait

 

[in stitches]



good things come to those who wait

they freaking better!

 

[Dino944]

Shiny new toy!
In an ideal world, I would've gone with the 7 day power reserve, but ultimately decided I couldn't justify the additional cost. It could've gone a fair way toward my /next/ shiny new toy, but that's another story. I also took a long time deciding between the black dial and the white dial, and I would honestly have been happy with either, but a killer deal came along on a black dial so.. here we are!

Congrats and enjoy! I like the black dial, it often seems most in my area that have one have the white, so at least to me the black is a nice change.

 

[Dino944]

I really like the first Jumbo with the solid case back but agree that the new one is very well designed - not sure which I'd actually prefer.
For those of you with the new 15202, does it have the same font for the date as the original 5402?

From a collectors standpoint, the original Series "A" Royal Oak 5402, will always be the most desireable model to own. However, only 2,000 of the model pictured above were made. They also were not all that popular when new and took a few years to sell (I'm sure in part due to the incredibly high cost when new...I believe it was about the price of 10 all steel Submariner Date models in 1972). There are the series B, C, and D Royal Oaks, but they do not have the original style of dial. While the Jumbo is often considered the most iconic of ROs, it is the Series "A" that is truly coveted by AP collectors.

However, with only 2,000 having been made in the early 1970s, finding one in very good shape can be a very difficult task. Most good ones are probably in the hands of dedicated collectors and the AP museum. In addition, it may not make for the best choice for regular wear, the weak stem/tube of the original means they should avoid any water, and some parts are no longer available. The bracelet and clasp was made by Gay Fere (sp?), which has since been absorbed into Rolex, and there are not any parts available for the original bracelets and clasps. The bracelets were a tad thinner back then so any with a lot of wear or stretch, can't be replaced, or if you need an extra link there are not any.

The design and fucntion of the solid case back are very nice on the original, and if the modern one came that way it would be ok with me. However, its nice to be able to view the famous cal 2120 of the more recent 15202. I think for most of us, a Series "A" just isn't a realistic or reasonable purchase, and for those of us that love its dial, small waffle pattern/clous de paris, AP symbol at 6, and double stick markers at 12, yet also appreciate a few difficence (see through back and blue date wheel) the modern 15202 might be the best and most wearable alternative. I actually, think AP did their current 15202 perfectly, using key elements of the original series "A" RO, but not making it an exact copy, and thereby keeping the look of the original series "A" watches special and rare.

I really have not looked at the font for the date window carefully to compare to the original. I'll try to check it soon and let you know, but I'd guess its probably a bit different.

 

[CHRK33]

The past week or so has seen very helpful discussion of the RO 15202 and I, for one, have been following the discussion with great interest as I am debating going with the 15400 vs. the 15202.

I agree that the 15202 is iconic, but I do think that the updated 15400 in 41mm merits strong consideration for daily wear. I think there are advantages to the larger 41MM size (being 6'3, I think it transitions from dressy to casual a bit better), as well as a personal preference for the type font and AP positioning on the 15400. Additionally, the 15400 with blue dial is available to me NIB from Audemars boutique in Milan for 10K euros whereas the 15202 would cost 18000Euros; a pretty significant difference in price that is a factor (for me at least).

I would really welcome anyone's thoughts on the 15400 (many of you have a lot more experience with Royal Oaks than me); I am really firmly on the fence, but leaning towards the 15400 currently. Thanks in advance.

 

[Kaplan]

Thanks Dino, great insights. I've always enjoyed the original Jumbo design, down to the font used for the '7' in the shot above. Minor detail obviously, but I thought it would've been nice if they'd kept that for the new 15202.

 

[Dino944]

Thanks Dino, great insights. I've always enjoyed the original Jumbo design, down to the font used for the '7' in the shot above. Minor detail obviously, but I thought it would've been nice if they'd kept that for the new 15202.

Hi Kaplan,

The original font on the date wheel is very cool. As mentioned, I believe its probably different, but I'll let you know when I get to the 7th. No quickset on the date of the 15202s.

The past week or so has seen very helpful discussion of the RO 15202 and I, for one, have been following the discussion with great interest as I am debating going with the 15400 vs. the 15202.
I agree that the 15202 is iconic, but I do think that the updated 15400 in 41mm merits strong consideration for daily wear. I think there are advantages to the larger 41MM size (being 6'3, I think it transitions from dressy to casual a bit better), as well as a personal preference for the type font and AP positioning on the 15400. Additionally, the 15400 with blue dial is available to me NIB from Audemars boutique in Milan for 10K euros whereas the 15202 would cost 18000Euros; a pretty significant difference in price that is a factor (for me at least).
I would really welcome anyone's thoughts on the 15400 (many of you have a lot more experience with Royal Oaks than me); I am really firmly on the fence, but leaning towards the 15400 currently. Thanks in advance.

The 15300 and 15400 are great choices especially if one is maybe a bit harder on a watch and both give you a quickset for the date, and also the are each significantly less expensive than a 15202. I'd feel less badly about banging a 15300/15400 around a bit, compared to a 15202. Part of the price is that the 15202 is an ultra thin sport watch and has an ultra thin automatic movement, and its produced in much smaller numbers than a 15300 or 15400. Years ago, it was very significant to make thin movements and thin watch cases. The cal 2120 is famous and very costly to produce. With the trend favoring larger watches, ultra thins matter less to some people today.

There really isn't a bad choice. Its what you are more comfortable with in terms of fit and cost. I tried on several ROs before deciding...including the 15300, 15400, the 39mm ROC I believe 26300, and its replacement the 41mm RO Chronograph. For me it came down to the Jumbo 15202 or the 41mm chronograph. I greatly prefered the dial, lack of second hand, and the iconic design, the famous movement and that its closer to the original design than a 15300/15400. The 15400 although nice, I just did not think the proportions worked as well as on its predecessor the 15300. I'm sure technically everything was enlarged by the same percentage, but to me the bezel and case size looked more balanced and correct at 39mm rather than 41. The 15400 looked larger, but a bit empty, having to shift the date inward a bit on the dial and I didn't like the wider metal ring shape holding the saphire crystal on the back making it evident the movement was from a smaller watch and just got recased. But those were my personal hang ups with the 15400, but if you like it its a great watch. I think the RO Chrono at 41 worked out a bit better since they had the subdials filling out the dial. In the end I have some chronographs, and I just thought everything about the Jumbo came together perfectly. I hope to get another AP some day, but I bought with the mindset if I only ever buy one, which would I most want to own. After trying each on, the decision became easy.

I'm not very hard on my watches, and its not something I would bang around like maybe one of my Rolex watches. If I were going to treat it that way, maybe I'd have more strongly considered a 15300/15400 which has a thicker case and might better withstand some harsh treatment (although I know guys that have worn 15202 Jumbos as daily wearers). Also with a 15300/15400 you will get a quickset date. Try each one on and see what you think, and consider how you will use/wear it (are you tough on watches), and do you need a quickset date. AP makes great products and each version of the RO can be a great choice for differnet people.

 

[Kaplan]



Hi Kaplan,

The original font on the date wheel is very cool.  As mentioned, I believe its probably different, but I'll let you know when I get to the 7th.  No quickset on the date of the 15202s. 

Thanks, I'm not in any kind of hurry, just curious