Horological Meandering

AP Royal Oak chrono should be within striking distance. If you intend to buy in Hawaii, then go visit the AD there, Tourneau in Honolulu. i suggest you communicate with them first, before going down. They are along the main shopping belt along Kalakaua Avenue.

your budget of up to usd15000 is not insubstantial, and your choices are wide and varied. do also investigate offerings from JLC and GP as well. if however, you insist on either the Omega or the Chopard, I will have to cast my vote on the side of the Speedy. I personally collect Speedys, but only from the 70s and 80s, and only those with Caliber 861 or 1401. the Chopard you chose has a more "pedestrain" 7750 movement, please note that i use the word pedestrain to highlight its relative usage commonality amongst the watch brands, and not its mechanical qualities.

best,

Horo

A lot of us have gone trough that kind of indecision, given that you can only buy one watch at this moment.

What helps me a lot here, despite what all your friends and family might say is to imagine myself wearing certain watch,

in several environments and events (elegant, casual, sporty) and then...

just imagine seeing the other watch (or watches) in other people's wrists.

If...your first thought is: "beautiful, but I like mine more and could live without that other watch"

then everything is OK, you found YOUR watch.

But... if your first thought is: "Damn, I should have better got that one!"

then you took a wrong decision.

Because no matter how much a watch costs, the technological advances and the art and craftsmanship that go into a watch,

your best watch is the one that brings a smile to your face every time you look at it.

Now there are tons of beautiful watches that would go home happily with you Glenn, that's for sure,

just enjoy the hunt and go for the one that "speaks" to you

Happy hunting my friend.

Best regards.

René

He he... not true, but don't forget to do in deep research about your options.

Don't go with the first lady crossing your way

Best.

René

It's certainly a possiblility! 

The leading post on this thread was the result of a visit to my local AD of many watch brands.  The problem with this approach is that, while they have many brands, they often don't have the full selection of watches of a particular brand (not to mention ALL brands that they carry).

I will be visiting Los Angeles in the next couple of weeks with some time set aside for touring the boutiques on Rodeo Drive and other places nearby.

On my list:  Chopard, Omega, Breguet, JLC, Rolex (Geary's), and Westime (Vacheron, Zenith, GP, Breitling and I'm sure others).

There is no denying the beauty of the Chrono One...I have just never seen one on my wrist!

you're gonna pick up a gorgeous watch Glenn,

as I said before: enjoy the hunt, it's part of the pleasure of owning a fine watch.

Have a nice week.

René

PS: What you mentioned is very important, try take a look in the flesh at most of the watches you like,

you are going to get surprised.