Audemars Piguet

Hello to all.

I am browsing the secondhand market for my first AP. It will probably be a 26300 or 25860 (although I haven´t ruled out the 15300 either).

Anyway- I notice there are some differences in dials, other than the different designs/colors. I see versions where the 15. 30, 45 markers are round and others where they are square.

Did the versions change at some point? Is there a way to determine new/old version?
Is there anything else one should notice or look for when looking at the secondhand market for these?

All input appreciated.

There also seem to be variations in bracelets/clasps. Any insight on that as well would be good.

ThW,

In the standard production line (i.e., excluding limited editions), I believe the square hour markers were used only for gold models.  The clasp evolved from a simple one-fold to an AP-logo one-fold.

Park

ThW,

The most important issues to look for in the second-hand ROC market are:

(1) When was the last service by AP?  Both the seller and AP should have a record of this.  If it hasn't been serviced in the last five years, it may well need it soon.

(2) Has anyone other than AP ever opened or polished the watch?  If so, beware, as the odds are very high that the angles of the bezel were destroyed by polishing without proper tools. 

Park

 

Thank you for your input.

I´m looking at a watch stated to be 26300ST.OO.1110ST.03. It has the old (not AP-logo shaped) clasp. The dial has square 15,30,45 markers. Is there a way to distinguish the 26300 from 25860 in dial variations or other external factors, or is it just the case construction that is different?

Does this look ok:

That looks like the earlier version of the ROC, the 25860, see how the squares (tapeserie) are smaller than on the newer 26300?

Thanks. Yes- you are right. It was mislabeled by the seller. It´s an E-series 25860.