Audemars Piguet

Hi all, this is my first post on the AP thread. Even though i've recognized this brand as one of the top 3, it just now that i have taken interest. I've always been into sports, chunkier watches: panerai logo, rolex gmt iic, iwc aquatimer galapagos, breitling blacksteel......but i feel as i grow older, The AP RO has caught my attention.

I'm about to pull the trigger on the 15300 but i would love to hear what the afficionados hear would have to say.

First of all, i'm a relatively big guy (6ft tall) with a relatively big wrist (not sure the diameter). I was thinking that this watch might be too small for me? Mind you, i have grown tired of the big watch craze and would like to go normal size, hence the decision to consider this.

Sorry but I really don't know what i'm trying to drive at but to try and get everyone's advice and personal experience on how your taste in watches evolve and if this move seem to be in the right direction as far as what my watch collection would be. I also lack a dressier watch and the AP also solves this part of the equation.

I've posted a similar question in a panerai thread and obviously got a negative response since to acquire the watch involves trading my base pam logo and the gmt ii ceramic (straight swap for a brand new black dial 15300).

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance!

and with the overall "flatter" appearance (not necessarily thinner, but appearances and perception count!) it, in my opinion, has more versatility - it can be dressed up or dressed down more easily.

The movement is in house, so if that matters to you, it is at least on par if not better than equivalent PAM's, with slightly higher "traditional" finishing.

Would I do the trade? Well, I am the moderator of the AP forum and founder of the first dedicated AP forum in the world, so I guess my personal preferences shouldn't be a surprise. Though I did "own" Paneristi for about a year...(glad everyone seems to have forgotten that!    )

In the end, all fine watches, tastes do change and evolve, and it seems, from your own comments, it might be about time for you to try something new.

Let us know what you decide, you can't go wrong either way!

TM

...

I posted similar threads in Paneristi and at the rolexforums and like you said they favor the brands that are dedicated to the mentioned sites.

I'm in a bind since I know that the answer I wanted was what you replied because honestly, I've grown tired of Panerais and it seems like a fad now (specially here in Asia). As for Rolex, I can easily buy them back at a later date and I feel that I would only want to have one Rolex in my collection and I'm more interested in the old sea dweller.

Main deal make or break now is the value put in the respective watches involved in the deal.

Also, what do you think about a 25721ti?

(edited to remove items in violation of TOS)

This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2010-05-15 13:41:47

Hi, John,

"I know that the answer I wanted was what you replied because honestly, I've grown tired of Panerais and it seems like a fad now (specially here in Asia). As for Rolex, I can easily buy them back at a later date and I feel that I would only want to have one Rolex in my collection and I'm more interested in the old sea dweller."

Whether I or anyone else agrees with the matters of opinion, ultimately, what matters to you is how YOU feel about it. Of course, this doesn't mean you should not ask for other POV, getting other POV, within limits, helps you to consider things you might not have on your own. But in the end, after considering everything relevant to you, it is how YOU feel.

That said, the open variable in the whole thing is the PAM005; I don't know anything about market valuations for such an early PAM.

But please keep in mind our restrictions about discussions about specific transactions (please check our Terms of Service - TOS - if you haven't already)

For me, if the PAM005 is "realistic" then I'd go for it. But again, that's just me.

Good luck and be careful out there! Use good sense and due diligence in any virtual transaction; I've been hearing alot about fraud and scams and outright virtual robbery lately.

TM

 

sorry about that Thomas. Thanks again for your valuable opinion.

I'm 6'1" with a 7.5" wrist, and the 15300 is definitely not too small. 

 

The watch didn't look like that when I tried it on. Thansks! I'll definitely try it on again.

No message body

What are the stuff to look for that should be included when buying an AP watch? Box (is there an outer box aside from the wood), warranty card (is there a COSC cert.?), documents?

Thanks in advance!

Outer box, inner wood lacquer box, warranty papers (hopefully signed and stamped by an AD), instructions and maybe even the original hangtag.

 

Paul

I'm ready to pull the trigger but will not be trading the Panerai and just top-up. Given the current situation where I live, I might get a good price for it.

Hi, John,

I've been traveling and typically can't reply to PM's by Blackberry.

Suggest you do the best research you can under the circumstances (online, local dealers) and make your decision based on that.

Don't suffer from analysis paralysis, and remember, no matter what you do, someone at some point later after you buy will offer a better one for less, but if you don't buy, you won't find anything like it ever again.

Not always true, but true often enough that when I am trying to make a decision, I just do reasonable research, make my decision, and then just enjoy!

TM

Thomas,

I have exhausted as much as I can from the internet in researching how magnificent the 15300 is. I've also done extensive reading on the Jumbo but I feel the 15300 is perfect for what I want from an AP.

I also found out that the downside to owning one of the top 3 is the expensive maintenance cost. Is it safe to say, given that the 3120 movement is the simplest complication it is also the cheapest in terms of service cost?

I own other chrono watches but I think 99% of us buy them only for aesthetics. The 15300 just calls to me as the simple casual sports watch which what Howard said, could be used dress down or dress up.

I can't wait to get myself a black dial. FYI, I'm only trading my Rolex and keeping the PAM005 for sentimental reasons.

All of you who have replied have been fantastic to say the least! I can't say it enough how much I appreciate your inputs.

Cheers!

I may be biased as the owner of the previous version Royal Oak.  No offense meant, but the Panerai may hold good value, but are not even in the same league historically and quality of manufacture/finish as an Audemars Piguet.  For me this would be a no-brainer.

 

Paul