AP and PP - what don't I get?

[PopsandBangs]

I realise it's all horses for courses etc, and having seen some of them up close it looks like the quality/engineering is very splendid indeed.... but is it just me who thinks you almost could not design a more uglier style of watch

Stuff like this?








Those offshores look like something Judge Dredd times his eggs with.

What am I missing?

[simong800]

I wouldn't say you are missing anything, but it's simply a case of different people having different tastes surely.

If not there would only be one style of watch with one design and everyone would have that.

I really like the old 42mm Royal Oak Offshores, but don't have much time for the new ones.

Some people love the Cartier Santos, I think it's horrendous. Rolex "presidential" does nothing for me but is an icon. Etc etc.

With such a wide range of watches available it's very likely there will be ones others like that you don't and vice versa.

[toon10]

I'm not a fan of their designs but as you say, you can't fault their quality or finishing. If I were in the market for a Patek, it would be one of their dressier watches. We all have different tastes. I'd still rather have any of those AP or PP's than a watch with a jubilee bracelet, roman numerals and a fluted bezel but I realise my own tastes are not the same as others!

[the-norseman]

I'm not a fan.

[troc]

Never liked the Nautilus either, or the Royal Oak. If I was buying a PP, it would also be one of their dressier watches and I’ve never really fancied any of the AP designs. Is probably lean more towards a VC anyway. Meanwhile, I’ll stick with my preferred JLCs

[Jamescrs]

Not a fan either, I wouldn't buy one with my own money, I also don't particuarly rate any of the Cartier's people get excited about or the Rolex presidential but I guess it would be boring if everyone liked the same things

[jgrewal]

Just comes down to personal taste and how much you can afford. I would also agree PP and AP for where they are in terms of price just makes no sense. Richard Mille even worse with some watches upwards of 500k. I cannot comprehend having a watch on my wrist that is worth a house! Give me a Rolex or Omega any day.

[Ascayman]

Can’t speak for all models but the bracelet on a AP Royal Oak is a thing of absolute beauty.

I could stare at it all day long.

[simong800]

Ascayman said:

Can’t speak for all models but the bracelet on a AP Royal Oak is a thing of absolute beauty.

I could stare at it all day long.

Agree, so uncomfortable though. I sold mine, I could never get the exact right fit. Add a link it was too loose, take one out it was too tight. Watches at £20k + not having micro adjustment seems criminal to me!

[F8Spiderman]

PopsandBangs said:

I realise it's all horses for courses etc, and having seen some of them up close it looks like the quality/engineering is very splendid indeed.... but is it just me who thinks you almost could not design a more uglier style of watch

Stuff like this?








Those offshores look like something Judge Dredd times his eggs with.

What am I missing?

I’m picking up a Rose Gold ROO (the one on the left) next week, but I have eclectic tastes, and not everything I like would be universally liked.

Tried one on a month or so ago, whilst browsing Royal Oaks and really liked it. Was holding out for a 116515LN but this ticks the Rose Gold / Rubber Strap combination.

First AP, and looking forward to it.

[Ascayman]

si800 said:

Ascayman said:

Can’t speak for all models but the bracelet on a AP Royal Oak is a thing of absolute beauty.

I could stare at it all day long.

Agree, so uncomfortable though. I sold mine, I could never get the exact right fit. Add a link it was too loose, take one out it was too tight. Watches at £20k + not having micro adjustment seems criminal to me!

Mine fits fine and sure I got a half link included in the box but I’d have to check.

[Raptor7000r]

In person the finish, thin case and overall styling of AP are really nice, however this comes down to personal opinion.

I've had an AP Royal Oak 41mm Steel many moons ago and would have one again had it not been for the crazy prices they've gone now but comparably I don't see anything great about Pateks sportier range specifically the nautilus. Does nothing for me.

[simong800]

Ascayman said:

Mine fits fine and sure I got a half link included in the box but I’d have to check.

Looks great on your wrist!

I realise I am in a minority, the AP RO bracelet is overwhelmingly seen as comfortable by most so I must just have a stupid shaped wrist

The Rolex easy link is a superb bit of extra flexibility though, it just strikes me as odd that you can get that on a £5k watch but brands charging 4-5x that can't offer the same?

I am looking at a 42mm ROO on rubber or the 3rd Gen Vacheron Constantin Overseas as options at the moment - the former gives the AP experience without bracelet issues, the latter gives you a micro adjustment on the bracelet PLUS interchangeable strap with leather and rubber options in the box.

I love the old ROO Safari, far more than the newer models OP posted;

• not my pic

[TheJimi]

PopsandBangs said:

As someone else said, you're missing nothing - it's down to personal taste.

For example, I wouldn't wear an AP ROO - even if it was free, they're just not my thing.

I'd more than happily wear a Nautilus, however.

[anonymous-user]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.

Personally, I can't stand either the PP Nautilus or the AP Royal Oak either. Both very ugly watches to my eyes, but to others they will be a thing of beauty.

I would go one step further and say that having just browsed all the watches on the AP website, I can honestly say I found them all to be unattractive, so I think we can safely say that AP isn't for me. I find AP to be very much a one trick pony. Pretty much all their watches are the Royal Oak or a variation of the Royal Oak, with the exception of their fairly recent Code 11:59 range.

PP is different, as they have a large range of varying and very beautiful designs. In fact, with so many nicer PP's to choose from, it amazes me that people are so excited by the Nautilus.

I'm sure there are numerous watches that I like, which others find absolutely dreadful.

[gregs656]

You don’t have to spend 5k to get a micro adjust clasp these days. I have one on a watch that retails for maybe £650, and I’m sure you can get them on even cheaper watches than that.

I really like some ROs and some ROOs, more than the Patek sports offerings. The VC Overseas doesn’t do much for me.

[RDMcG]

Not for me, and nor are Rolex nor Richard Mille. Understand completely that tastes differ, but have no idea why anyone other that divers or pilots by watches with all that capability.

I am a fan of JLC and Breguet watches but again not for everyone.

[DP14]

PopsandBangs said:

What am I missing?

As mentioned, some people like them, some people don't like them.
Others aren't capable of thinking for themselves, or don't care, but the market and price-point tell them to like them*


*Applies to many things, not just watches.

[eccles]

We all have different tastes. I personally don't like Omega Seamaster pro's or NATO straps. When watches start getting very expensive the looks don't matter to many people, just the name on the dial.

[Mosdef]

I don’t get them either, hence I bought a VC blue faced overseas chronograph, plus a couple of smaller volume brands such as Blancpain and Breguet. I see far too many PP and AP around but very few people with any of the brands I’ve mentioned or even really nice JLCs. Horses for courses of course but I wouldn’t even pay the RRP on PP or AP.