Dino944
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2011
- Messages
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I actually like the Pepsi and the Batman and I’m on a waiting list for a modern Pepsi with a jubilee bracelet. About 18 years ago my wife wanted to get me a GMT function watch for our honeymoon, since we would be traveling. But she preferred the more understated look of its sibling with the brushed steel bezel, so she bought me a black dial 16570 Explorer 2.
As for my owning a Kermit but not a Hulk, I like the old 5 digit Sub, it’s maxi dial, and the old aluminum bezel insert. The green is a nice contrast to the black dial. I also like how the more interesting shades of green or red/blue of the old aluminum insert more than the ceramic ones. While I like the deep green dial of the Hulk, I really dislike the shade of green used for its bezel. It has such a deep beautiful shed of green for the dial and then a sort of lifeless medium green that to me is not attractive. I realize they are probably limited in terms of colors based on the material used, but it doesn’t work for me.
AP 15202 vs the Patek Nautilus, Both are great watches. When I was a teenager my dad owned both at the same time. However, I always liked the design of the Royal Oak far more. I love the octagonal bezel, and how movement was inserted through the front, with white gold hex bolts fastening the bezel onto the case to create a watertight seal. This was very forward thinking in the early 70’s. Genta did great work, but IMHO the RO was his best luxury sport watch.
The Nautilus is a nice watch, but its design always felt a bit forced to me. Genta had to provide Patek with a worthy competitor, but it’s largely the same concept with different styling cues. I like the bezel of the Royal Oak and hex fastening bolts more than the Nautilus bezel and “Ears” for fasteners. I also bought mine in 2012, with the idea of wearing it daily. The bracelet of the RO felt more robust, while the Nautilus bracelet felt too thin and light, and maybe not quite up to the task of daily wear.
in addition the movement used the the 15202 is very special. When developed it was the thinnest automatic movement (I believe it may still be). It’s the only movement ever to be used by AP, Patek, and VC. Whether one has the earliest or the newest Jumbo they all use this movement. It’s a movement that is labor intensive to make and is the only time only movement that AP builds in the same department that makes their high complications. Patek has used their own in-house movement with seconds function for many years, but I prefer the clean look of these watches with 2 hands.
As for not having other APs, I do like the RO chronograph, but I have other chronographs. My Pasha uses the same FPiguet 1185 that AP was using at a fraction of the cost. I’ve never been a fan of the Millenary line and AP offers very little in terms of dress watches today. I like some of their vintage dress watches a lot. However, I’m very OCD about condition and having boxes & papers, so that limits pieces I’d consider.
Anyway, hope that gives you some insight into my choices.
