AP problems...

Sep 21, 2015,11:46 AM
 

I've had a Royal Oak Chronograph for about 12 years, 2 or 3 months after I purchased the watch (New), it just

stopped for an unknown reason. It was returned to AP and they replaced the movement and have not had any problems since.

There seems to be an abnormal number of mechanical problems with AP watches, simply judging from the frequency of
these types of complaints. It's disheartening to hear about these problems with a company that is supposed to be one of 
the three top brands of watches one can purchase.


More posts: Royal OakRoyal Oak Chronograph

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What causes this to happen?

 
 By: kennygfunk : July 14th, 2015-09:24
A while back, I by deal4real"> purchased a Panda by deal4real"> new . Once, when I tried to set the time, the crown came out! Anyway, the AP Service Center in Clearwater fixed it, and returned it back to me two weeks later (great turn around time). Now, I...  

The same happened to me

 
 By: dr.kol : July 14th, 2015-09:36
with a new 15202. It was fixed very fast but the dropping crown was the smallest of the problems. My nice RO remains still out of order. Best, Kari

what...

 
 By: Ed Watches : July 14th, 2015-12:14
...did the AP Clearwater guys point as the cause for this issue? Of course, you should be able to confidently set the time if the problem has been properly fixed but it's totally understandable if you still feel worried for a while...

happened to me too

 
 By: cdmoore1855 : July 15th, 2015-00:02
I have had this happen twice, once on the plain steel version and once on a brand new Safari. I really like Royal Oaks but I do think they are prone to problems, the Safari had to be sent back 3 times in the first year for varying problems

I've had to send 2x 15300 RoyalOaks for Service

 
 By: bsodmike : July 15th, 2015-09:54
within 6-8 months of ownership, having purchased brand new. My steel 15300 is being attended to for the second time now, looking forward to getting it back. I'm hoping these issues won't continue, but I like the watch too much to sell it.

Yikes

 
 By: matthewking : July 15th, 2015-04:21
When it came out, did it pop off (broken part) or slide out smoothly (mechanism malfunction)? By the look of it, the issue is not with the crown or stem, so I would guess either the locking mechanism was not correctly assembled and therefor malfunctioned ... 

It came out smoothly [nt]

 
 By: kennygfunk : July 15th, 2015-08:45

I have never experienced nor seen this condition with AP.

 
 By: MichaelC : July 15th, 2015-08:28
Glad in my 15 years of collecting AP I have avoided what others claim is a "common" problem. But then again, I have never found my Royal Oaks to be scratch magnets either. So the blanket statements are usually lost on me.

It's a very rare case

 
 By: jvr1sta : July 15th, 2015-17:23
When the watchmaker rarely forgot to tighten the screw that hold the stem....

Not in my Oaks so far!!!

 
 By: exigesc : July 15th, 2015-19:14
My collecting time for RO & ROO offshore are not as long as some other members here but I never had this problem. I heard a case the crown came off but so as one of my old IWC I used to own. As for scratch magnet, I think my PP 5167 is more qualify fo... 

Its a normal problem on many watches, of all brands actually

 
 By: Ancienne Le Brassus : July 16th, 2015-01:15
Hi, Essentially, it's an issue of a pin slipping off the little notch that i point out. this is more of a 'watchtech forum' discussion. But the way the stems are held inside the movement (and hence, snug to the case) is by a pin that sits inside this litt...  

Disatrous image for AP

 
 By: fastback1967 : July 16th, 2015-02:39
As an humble owner , I feel sorry for AP and its bad reputation for reliability. On Hublot Forum ( I do not own one and do not like so much this brand), the CEO at the time (now former CEO) J-C BIVER came to speak with people unlucky as you to find a solu... 

Great explanation!

 
 By: kennygfunk : July 16th, 2015-09:44

good information about the crown

 
 By: ED209 : July 18th, 2015-11:14
Thanks for sharing this detailed explanation of the crown issue. Regards, ED-209

AP problems...

 
 By: jeffreysaul : September 21st, 2015-11:46
I've had a Royal Oak Chronograph for about 12 years, 2 or 3 months after I purchased the watch (New), it just stopped for an unknown reason. It was returned to AP and they replaced the movement and have not had any problems since. There seems to be an abn... 

Moving minute hand

 
 By: bankeal : September 21st, 2015-18:35
The issue of suboptimal QC has plagued many prestigious brands including AP in recent years. My first AP was a 15202, an icon that has made many including myself to turn toward the brand. But...15 minutes into wearing after acquiring it from an AD, notice... 

All products will have the few "issues"...

 
 By: rnaden : September 22nd, 2015-08:05
but I think at the end of the day, it is about the service that follows, and the rectification work, whether they're attentive enough and fixed the problem the first time correctly, is what that matters. I'm not one who's loyal to any particular brand, bu... 

Quality control?

 
 By: jeffreysaul : September 22nd, 2015-15:55
I've owned many watches and still have most of them, the AP's have given me more headaches than the others. VC, AP, and Rolex, all are beautifully crafted watches, but no matter what you about them, the Rolexes I've owned are tops, NEVER had a mechanical ... 

This happened to my 15305 4 weeks ago.....

 
 By: Andy : September 27th, 2015-11:16
As is documented on here.....I still haven't heard from them yet but I'm sure it will be fixed and returned shortly. Like you I will also be a little nervous when setting the time..!! Yours, Andy.