Fresh from the Showcase at SwissWatchExpo. We've got the Audemars Piguet Brick. It is one
of the most sought-after watches in the world, but we've also got an alternative for you. Coming up.
This morning at SwissWatchExpo. We've got the Audemars Piguet Brick, so-called. It's the 26470OR
on the full bracelet, but we've also got an alternative for you. It is the 26331OR on a strap.
And the reason that these watches have caused so much of a wave through the world of watches
when this one came out, it was a little bit under the radar at SIHH 2018. And it wasn't so much
a gigantic tidal wave at the time, but it really has caused those kinds of gigantic tsunamis
throughout the watch world since then. And it's an interesting take on the Royal Oak Offshore when
this one came out in SIHH, let's see, it would've been in 2017. It was for the 20th anniversary
of the Royal Oak chronograph. They launched a lot of watches that year, including this one.
And a lot of people felt like the Royal Oak Offshore that, it sort of had a love it or
hate it following right from the beginning. It is a much bigger thicker watch, and
there is just no apologizing for the fact that it is a big hunk of
18-carat rose gold on your wrist. I mean, it is unapologetically aggressive. And
when you're wearing this watch, you absolutely know that you have on a big gold watch. But
my wrists are not really that big, and you can see it. It definitely can be carried and even for
someone with a wrist smaller than mine, I could see, if you like a big watch that is really bold
and one that you're not likely to see on anyone else, really, probably in the wild,
this is a great choice. It has a very nice double trigger clasp release with the AP logo.
It's a very robust clasp, which of course you would need on such a large watch. It is about
15 millimeters thick. And when you look at this, watch, the dial is really one of the stars of the
design element. It's the Grand Tapisserie dial so they are the large waffle-shaped
design in the dial. I love the black sub-dials on this one and the way they're offset the way
they're sort of counter waiting date window. And then there is a chapter ring that has
the tachymeter scale on it as well. So it's really got a lot going on. When you look at
the classic Royal Oak Offshore design elements, of course, you've got this ruthenium-coated
signature sort of porthole screws. And then that surface of the bezel is brushed.
The edges are high polish, and then you get to another layer of rose gold.
And then the classic Royal Oak Offshore, sort of a thick gasket that becomes part of the structural
part of the watch. Then we finally get to the case, and there's so much attention to detail on
the case, these crown guards, the way they're sort of angular and reflecting the shape of the watch,
the crown and the pushers are ceramic on this one. Really well made, and very durable. But when you
look at the different kinds of brushed finish on this one, there are even different brushings in
different parts of the watch. So the grain is actually different. It's all applied by hand.
And when you look at this edge bevel, that just fluidly goes right into the
edge bevel on the bracelet, and then the bracelets on these are so well made.
They really it's a master class on how to make a great bracelet that the other watch
companies could certainly do well to pay attention to the -- Everything's tapered
so perfectly. Everything's so tight. The center links are very tight compared to the main links,
you really just don't even see any sort of daylight between them at all,
but love the movement. Of course, on this particular one,
they did the exhibition caseback. So you can see the movement. It's a 22-carat gold rotor
on one side, it has the Audemars family crest. And the other side, Piguet, just to point out
to you that this is still one of the great watch companies that are still held in the hands of the
families, rather than some corporate conglomerate. So, can't say enough good things about the brick.
But if that seems like it's a little, much, maybe a little too aggressive for you, this is a great
alternative. This came out the year before, like I said, at SIHH 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the
Royal Oak chronograph and the dial on this one has been a little bit more, I'd say controversial.
The sub-dial at 6 is smaller than the others. And then the placement of the date aperture
is a little bit close to the 5. It's closer to 5 than it is to 4. It's not perfectly centered.
It's a little bit off-center and people tend to either kind of love that or hate it. It's got a
little more sparkle because the sub-dials have a high polish ring around them that you just
don't see on many other watches. So it has a great look to it. The dial on this one is brown. It's a
Tapisserie dial as well, but this one's on the rubber strap.
So it is not nearly as thick. It's about 11-and-a-half millimeters thick.
And at 41-millimeter, it's a smaller diameter than the 42 on the brick.
So it's not nearly as weighty. And when you put this one on, it's got the deployant buckle.
So that's very nice, but when it goes on the wrist,
it is not nearly as bold as the Brick and probably a little bit more practical for daily wear.
But if you are the kind of person that can pull off the Brick
by all means you should do it. I feel like this one would be more comfortable for me.
And I think because of the more widespread appeal of this watch, it's reflected in the pricing,
but this really tends to be one of the watches that when I talk to people about watches whether
I'm out and about, and one of the first things that they tend to bring up is, you know, what
about that AP Royal Oak Offshore Brick? And what else could I get? That would be something similar,
but maybe not as hefty. So they're both great choices. Give us a call here at SwissWatchExpo.
We'll be happy to do a FaceTime call and show you the watches we currently have in stock.
We love talking watches and we're happy to help you get one of your dream on your wrist.
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