MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
22264
The style holds no appeal for me
I bought my first AP in 2001, a silver dial rubberclad. As I have learned about this storied brand, I have much appreciation for creations from days gone by. Like this design from nearly a hundred years ago! But I would not have been interested then, and I'm not now.
That said, it's exciting that they resurrected such a piece from the past. My biggest recommendation would be for the movement to be shaped as the case. This is not an entry level timepiece. Alas, many modern AP buyers won't even notice, or care.
First live photos of the Neo Frame
Thanks to Monochrome , we can get a better idea of how this watch wears . According to Monochrome and Hodinkee , the dimensions are 34 mm width without the crown x 47.1 mm lug-to-lug and 8.8 mm thickness , which is coherent with the only "size" mentioned ...
For what i see on the pictures online i must admit i like it .
Ofcourse seeing it IRL and on the wrist can change my thoughts but for now i think it looks good. Size wise i have a pretty big wrist so the dimensions aren’t a concern for me
I personally don’t like it as much as I would like too,
but I’m definitely influenced by the fact that it would (almost certainly) wear too big on my wrist. If you have the wrist for it, then I fully understand why you are attracted to it! Best, Emmanuel
They did not have to fiddle around with the size.
Cartier has been making various special editions of the tank a guachets since the 90s. They never deviated this much from the 1930s original. It almost feels like AP had automatic movement they want to put into this watch, then engineered the case around ...
Again, I fully agree with you and I think the comparison with Cartier is very relevant.
You might be right about the movement and it would be a shame. I also wish they would have made a shaped manual winding movement...
I want to like it, but...
...it kind of looks cheap in pictures? I'd need to see it in person before I make up my mind.
I don’t think it looks cheap at all in person.
The photos never do justice to the watches. But it is too large and massive looking, at least imo. Best, Emmanuel
Mixed feelings.
I like it, but don't love it from the pictures as it does come across oversized for its design language.... Naturally, I'd love to see it in person........
Like you, I’d be very happy to see it in person.
But I really think it’s too large and massive looking, except perhaps for very strong wrists. Best, Emmanuel
Cheap? Maybe, but every time I've seen such a luxury watch in real life,
it didn't feel cheap at all. I think the photos might be misleading here. Just, my guess, of course. Best, Emmanuel
Different taste is fine Emmanuel but
a watch should never be too large for the wrist especially a rectangular watch.
I like it a lot
It does seem a little large jugging from pictures, have to be seen live
It's a fitting AP
Big, impressive, a little bit sinister. Not my style but certainly a style.
Definitely "a style", as you say.
But the original model shows what it could have been (should?)... Best, Emmanuel
The style holds no appeal for me
I bought my first AP in 2001, a silver dial rubberclad. As I have learned about this storied brand, I have much appreciation for creations from days gone by. Like this design from nearly a hundred years ago! But I would not have been interested then, and ...
I personally find the original model appealing,
but I fully understand that you find no appeal here. Even if I kind of like this design, it's far from being my favorite. Of course, I fully agree concerning the (should have been) shaped movement. Best, Emmanuel
Not a fan
Maybe it’s the size it looks on the wrist. Or the strap pattern. Does not exude class or high horology 🤷♂️
I'm definitely not a fan either.
But I like the original model, though. Best, Emmanuel
Maybe it’s just me, but the watch looks like it’s wearing a black ski mask
the target audience may be the NBA bling crowd
I agree with your "black ski mask" impression!
You may be right about the target audience, but some of us here like the watch and legitimately so (even if I personally don't like it): as we say, to each his own! Best, Emmanuel
All good… it is encouraging that AP is willing to take some chances
There may be an invigorating period of innovative designs coming in 2026
A watch to wear in combination with a Smoking on the red carpet for the Oscar awards
Therefore it have to be bigger to be spotted by everyone. AP has been always Avantgarde, from this point of view it fits to their DNA. Also you can be sure that it will be a one of, like the other remaster Models. So it will remain a rare watch and will f...
Interesting thoughts, Martin,
thanks for sharing. Not on my personal radar either, but I really like the original model, though. Best, Emmanuel
I'm personally not fully convinced, but I definitely understand the appeal.
Are you going to try to get one? Best, Emmanuel
I've read the reviews and it sure is a good looking watch.
The painted glass and fluting on the case are pillars of Art Deco design. The apertures are very attractive and well done. The strap by itself is beautifully detailed however it integrates too much with the dial and makes what is already a pretty large wa...
I fully agree with your comment, Greg.
It's a very interesting release, but it leaves much to be desired in several respects. Best, Emmanuel
David Ichim at SJX mentions the dial/strap integration...
...sort of suggesting that it is intentional : "Ironically, the sleek profile of the Neo Frame’s case looks much like a sports smart band — albeit much glossier. Specifically, the way the polished black face connects with the strap is suggestive of certai...
How sad if this is the true reason behind this design...
I couldn't be more disappointed. Thanks for sharing this.
Deployant matters
I actually like it but do not like the pin buckle on something that $$. Too many manufactur are taking that shortcut these days. Thanks JLC for keeping the folding deployant!
I see what you mean, but don't feel the same way, personally.
I'm not fond of deployant buckles on dress watches. Just my taste, of course. Best, Emmanuel
I very much respect your opinion too,
especially since you endured such an unhappy accident with a pin buckle. In fact, when I purchased my Cornes de Vache, I started by replacing the pin buckle by a double deployant. But I ended up coming back to the pin buckle because it's far easier to see...
Question: If this watch didn't say AP on it, would we be giving it a lot of thought?
If I saw this watch without the Audemars Piguet on the case/dial, I probably wouldn't be very interested nor keen about it. The design isn't especially beautiful. However, because it does say "Audemars Piguet" on the case, I feel we give it a lot more con...
You are absolutely right,
but how can we remain distant and uninvolved when a major watchmaking brand, whose past achievements we so admire (at least some of them), tries to draw inspiration from a significant design from its past? I believe many of us would be deeply happy to see...
We would, I think, but only insofar as brands are looking back at the art nuveau and art deco periods for inspiration
Brands like Vacheron have tapped back into their past for decades, and Patek arguably has never strayed too far from their past in all of their releases, with all models being not too different from the models of the 40s - 60s (with the exception of the n...
This AP Neo Frame and Cartier's Tank à Guichets might give other brands some ideas:
let's wait and see! Best, Emmanuel
Interesting point of view, Marc!
It’s a very divisive piece, obviously. Best, Emmanuel
Looks big on wrist?
I worry it will wear too big on my wrist.... The dimensions on paper seem all good, but i worry from the pics it will look really chunky. Kinda similar to what happened with the planet ocean for me. Was excited to see the reduced dimensions, but it looks ...
I'm afraid there might indeed be good reasons to worry about the fit on the wrist.
But I'm sure the watch has to be seen in person to be sure. Best, Emmanuel