NickO
1726
What’s brave and bold about this design?
Jan 25, 2020,15:09 PM
I, personally, just don’t see it. To me, brave and bold design is De Bethune, URWERK, Harry Winston Opus Collection, MB&F etc. These guys all blaze new trails in design and break some glass along the way. I just don’t see that here at all.
I think where AP lost me was on the pre-launch marketing where they were hyping this as the “next coming” in horology. I was expecting something truly iconic like a Royal Oak, Lange 1, or Patek Nautilus. Of course, these pieces did not reach iconic status on their immediate release, so maybe there is hope for this collection. But I just see a rather plain set of pieces where the only “unique” feature is a sandwiched octagonal in the middle of the case. The hands and the dials for the chrono and three-hand are dreadful, in my opinion. The perpetual and tourbillon are much better, for me. The new in-house chrono movement is the star of the show and should have got top billing.
Michael, I understand your frustration at the negative comments surrounding this launch, it was intense. But perhaps I’m a little more live-and-let-live. I think it’s okay for people to express an opinion if they have a visceral first reaction to a watch. And I also think it’s okay if that opinion changes when they see it in the metal as well, but that doesn’t change the first impression. They say the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. I was truly indifferent to this piece when I first saw pictures and I remained indifferent after I saw it in the metal a couple times. But, as context, I don’t ever get excited by round watches with round sundials. So I say, vive la difference! Whether you love it or not, I think all opinions if expressed cordially are valid. And I always remember my opinion is about three standard deviations away from the norm - I think 90% of the posters on this site would be truly indifferent to my collection, so it’s all good. 😀
NickO