anyone got an AP bumblebee?
Discussion
z4RRSchris said:
looking at these,
how do the look in real life?
is the case pretty scratch proof?
how does it feel on the wrist?
Hello,how do the look in real life?
is the case pretty scratch proof?
how does it feel on the wrist?
I don't have one, but from the few I've seen:
1) they look great in real life, but I would swap out the yellow/black leather strap for the softer black rubber option - I just think the yellow stitching doesn't age all that well, but that's a personal preference thing
2) all the ones I've seen have looked almost "mark-less". My rough rule of thumb is that whilst carbon is better than steel/gold/platinum for dealing with daily dings, if a carbon watch has chunky dent in it, then look elsewhere. You need to really crack these things to mark them up. So my view is that it won't have been looked after.
3) I personally like the heft of the steel models, but whilst FC is noticeably lighter its still no featherweight. It all depends on your wrist and how it feels to you. It has a flat back like (all?) ROOs so whilst the chrono wears tall, the lighter weight means it doesn't make your wrist become some sort of pendulum. It's comfortable, I thought. Now the 'Pounder', the pink gold chrono, that must be one of the heaviest watches in production! The bully on the block if you like that sort of thing.
A great watch. I think the "End of Days" is the ultimate collectors piece from their range of black watches, but the Bumblebee is so much nicer, in proportion and for day to day than the later 44mm Alinghi Team, Ceramic and Forged Carbon chronos.
Hi, I've got an AP ROO so can give you some ideas. Mine is the (fairly) recently revised model though, so a few changes vs the Bumble Bee. Also it's navy which makes quite a difference to yellow & black!
The main thing I'd note re the changes vs the Bumble Bee is that it doesn't have a sapphire case back, so you can't admire the beautiful movement inside which is a real shame, especially at this price point. The 26470ST does now have that and I really get a lot from that feature, of course your colours would be restricted as they don't have the yellow & black.
The watches look awesome! In terms of your actual colour scheme that is down to your personal choice of course, I think it would look fantastic in yellow & black but haven't tried it myself, but I can tell you the ROO is a really high quality watch, it's definitely a league above Rolex in terms of finish and that is obvious even from a little distance, when you notice the watch in a mirror for example. It's a beautifully designed modern watch and very, very well made.
The case I think is a different material on the Bumble Bee so can't give you an idea on durability of that, but on my steel case it gets scratched up a little, but I do wear it daily and also when going out on the boat where things are a little physical and it can easily get knocked.
To me the feel of the ROO is great, it's the perfect size. I had a Yellow Gold GMT-IIC as a daily before this, and the weight seems comparable. Shape and dimensions are spot on, it wears nicely.
I can't be of specific help to the bumble bee, but that's my thoughts on the ROO after 6 months ownership. It's great, and I really appreciate the upgrades done on the 26470ST so I'd recommend checking the options there just in case you like any of the colours, as they are about the same price (more or less) and you can get them brand new with 3yrs warranty from AP (got mine for £14k).
The main thing I'd note re the changes vs the Bumble Bee is that it doesn't have a sapphire case back, so you can't admire the beautiful movement inside which is a real shame, especially at this price point. The 26470ST does now have that and I really get a lot from that feature, of course your colours would be restricted as they don't have the yellow & black.
The watches look awesome! In terms of your actual colour scheme that is down to your personal choice of course, I think it would look fantastic in yellow & black but haven't tried it myself, but I can tell you the ROO is a really high quality watch, it's definitely a league above Rolex in terms of finish and that is obvious even from a little distance, when you notice the watch in a mirror for example. It's a beautifully designed modern watch and very, very well made.
The case I think is a different material on the Bumble Bee so can't give you an idea on durability of that, but on my steel case it gets scratched up a little, but I do wear it daily and also when going out on the boat where things are a little physical and it can easily get knocked.
To me the feel of the ROO is great, it's the perfect size. I had a Yellow Gold GMT-IIC as a daily before this, and the weight seems comparable. Shape and dimensions are spot on, it wears nicely.
I can't be of specific help to the bumble bee, but that's my thoughts on the ROO after 6 months ownership. It's great, and I really appreciate the upgrades done on the 26470ST so I'd recommend checking the options there just in case you like any of the colours, as they are about the same price (more or less) and you can get them brand new with 3yrs warranty from AP (got mine for £14k).
The only thing I would add is that you definitely need to try one one.
The ROO is a big watch and I found it just didn't sit right on my wrist. Which is a shame as I really liked the watch.
I've got a Radiomir that is just very very comfortable even though it is massive and I just couldn't get the ROO to work for me.
The ROO is a big watch and I found it just didn't sit right on my wrist. Which is a shame as I really liked the watch.
I've got a Radiomir that is just very very comfortable even though it is massive and I just couldn't get the ROO to work for me.
Comparing a standard ROO to the "Bumblebee" is like comparing a standard Carrera to a GT3RS. Same shape and proportions and that, but the weight saving makes for a completely different watch when worn.
The vaguely mottled look is cool, but aside from the colour scheme, it just wears in a far more balanced way. It's a 115g watch, so just a little bit more than a 34mm Datejust. Compared to other ROOS it's almost imperceptible on the wrist. And if you wear your strap loose then doesn't wobble around as much.
The ceramic keeps it untarnished too.
The vaguely mottled look is cool, but aside from the colour scheme, it just wears in a far more balanced way. It's a 115g watch, so just a little bit more than a 34mm Datejust. Compared to other ROOS it's almost imperceptible on the wrist. And if you wear your strap loose then doesn't wobble around as much.
The ceramic keeps it untarnished too.
t?The Bumblebee has been discontinued for a couple of years now, so don't expect to see it in Selfridges or Harrods.
But I guess you are looking at well known used / pre-owned dealers stock but I'm sure you understand what I am trying to say. They are around but you have to hunt a bit.
Genuinely if you want to have a free for all and work through a lot of AP (and Richard Mille if you're interested) in one sitting then make an appointment with Official Watches up in norf lahdaaan. I was up there not long ago, thought the visit was going to be unpromising but the guys were really courteous and let me work through stacks of rare stuff. I think they have one of the best stocks anywhere. They always have a load of rare and LE stuff - check it out...
As for the Daytona....well for sure it's a nice watch, but if you've got an RO already, then in my mind you've already left Rolex behind! A RO for the week and a ROC for the weekend. Winning!
The Daytona is cool, but quality wise ain't in the same park and ten a penny in town - still, get what sings to you. That's the only thing that matters.
But I guess you are looking at well known used / pre-owned dealers stock but I'm sure you understand what I am trying to say. They are around but you have to hunt a bit.
Genuinely if you want to have a free for all and work through a lot of AP (and Richard Mille if you're interested) in one sitting then make an appointment with Official Watches up in norf lahdaaan. I was up there not long ago, thought the visit was going to be unpromising but the guys were really courteous and let me work through stacks of rare stuff. I think they have one of the best stocks anywhere. They always have a load of rare and LE stuff - check it out...
As for the Daytona....well for sure it's a nice watch, but if you've got an RO already, then in my mind you've already left Rolex behind! A RO for the week and a ROC for the weekend. Winning!
The Daytona is cool, but quality wise ain't in the same park and ten a penny in town - still, get what sings to you. That's the only thing that matters.
Have a look on chrono24 for who has stock of the bumble bee in London, give them a call to make sure it's available in store before heading over though. But there should be a few about.
The Daytona is great - certainly not in the same league as the AP for finish or detail, but a friend recently got a rose gold one on a brown leather strap and it looks really nice - but it wears a LOT smaller than a ROO, quite a different proposition really.
The Daytona is great - certainly not in the same league as the AP for finish or detail, but a friend recently got a rose gold one on a brown leather strap and it looks really nice - but it wears a LOT smaller than a ROO, quite a different proposition really.
I love the carbon AP's.
I have a carbon Diver (which is as close as you can get to the BB) and I love it - so light on my wrist and pretty scratch proof...especially with the ceramic bezel.
The case is also really cheap (relatively!) to replace if you do ever damage it - off the top of my head it's only £500-1000.
It got more wrist time than my SS Diver so I ended up selling that one.
I have a carbon Diver (which is as close as you can get to the BB) and I love it - so light on my wrist and pretty scratch proof...especially with the ceramic bezel.
The case is also really cheap (relatively!) to replace if you do ever damage it - off the top of my head it's only £500-1000.
It got more wrist time than my SS Diver so I ended up selling that one.
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