Audemars Piguet

Have been adoring the royal oak jumbo since the early days I look into watches. Such an exceptional and avant-garde outlook while still keeping its class and elegance in a very natural way. (Other integrated bracelet stuff could looked a bit forced and old fashioned from my point of view.) I remember that time was around the 40th anniversary of RO when 15202 came out. It was still the heyday of ROO, I appreciated the RO more but not too obsessed with it, and it suddenly took over the world and become the "most beautiful watch" in the world. I finally have chance to get it recently, however it has become the 16202st without the stupid day setting mechanism😅. Of course it is far from the "most beautiful watch" in the world. It is still what it is, and thankfully, I am still who I am but have just reached my 40s already👶

I think Quattro has a good comparison of the 5402 vs 15202 vs 16202 but the newest iterations of the Jumbo also have some nice refinements to the bracelet as well as the movement.

Enjoy!
Peter

For me 15202 is still "the one", visually I like the new 7121 more for the better size and "completeness". The revamped bracelet also fits better for my slim wrist, so I can get along with getting 16202 instead.

It remains high in my wish list, and I hope I can finally own one at some point. To me, it is definitely the icon redefining modern horology as we know it today.

Hope you can enjoy it very soon.

Enjoy this beauty.

Best, Emmanuel

Great thanks Emmanuel🍺

It certainly has its magic to reach the "absurd" status nowadays. Strange but funny.

For me there is no contest, especially when comparing between the og/vintage models. I did enjoy some modern interpretations like overseas( more than 222)

may just be one of the most beautiful watches in the world. I’m with you in slightly preferring the 15202 but have neither (yet). Congratulations!
Cheers
Marc

15202 would always be the one from my era, as it represents how the affair began

Whether you acquired from the AD or pre-loved... acquisition stories are always very interesting!

I decided to reward myself this year as I had overcome a big crisis in my workplace, as well as entering my 40s. After targeting RO, grey market is the only way to go ( I started as an AD guy before the hype watch era but honestly trying to get stuff allocated will make you spend way more, while "market price" is somehow fair if think ing about demand and supply. In Hong Kong it is easy to source those unused hype watches. To be safe I still have to study the movement details before, which is easy for my 7121 with display caseback. Initially I would like to go for the yg 15202 with champagne dial since it is hard to justified the steel RO for today's price, but so sad the yg one is gone and I cannot source another. Anyway this is my fate, sometimes you have to be irrational and i can still enjoy the classic "Bleu nuit nuage 50" Thanks for reading my story, Robert🍺

Aware that HK is a watch enthusiasts HEAVEN! And entirely understand how the AD route is slammed shut for even the most famous, rich and storied collectors. Grey market has a justice and fairness that is driven by the very honest world financial markets - and the preferred way to go IMO. How did you choose the seller/boutique in your selection process? Had you already established a relationship with that person/boutique/location? Although we can all do a good job of louping a movement, dial, case, etc... did you also plan to take the RO to a third party authenticator or perhaps to an AP boutique for a casual verification? Please expand and don't be afraid to be long winded. These are the decisions, dilemmas and thoughts that many hundreds of potential RO buyers have.
Congratulations again on your success!
Best,
Robert

Yeah I bought my 5270j few years ago from the biggest 'grey' shop I know with long history which contains multiple branch shops in Hong Kong. It was also suggested by the richest guy i know who run overseas property business. They even can get you a certificate with your name, and have a 10% discount for the 5270. Overall good experience so I called the same agent this time for the RO. Honestly I believe they have close relationship with those big names and get stuff directly form them (or indirectly by a "ghost" person) This time they even asked me to sign confidentiality agreement🙃
For the authentication, I would say do homework and just believe in yourself. In worst case even AD can cheat you if the staff take risk to commit crimes. For watches with high end movements and displayed caseback it is hard to cheat. For stuff like rolex I have no idea though...

Very interesting story about acquiring the Patek 5270J... and in that transaction the seller actually produced a Patek ownership document with your name as the original buyer? That is an amazing offering from a grey market dealer.
Best,
Robert

Yes, they acted like me directly got form an overseas AD. Unwritten rules everywhere I always believed but only that time I had some 1st hand experience about the dealer/grey market manipulation, as well as the NDA thing for RO this time.

So very interesting and enlightening.
Best,
Robert