Is Less Really More? - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak | Watchfinder & Co.

In recent videos, we've explored some of the most amazing complications watchmaking has to offer, the most intricate and complex pieces of handmade micro engineering ever seen. This Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet, however, is not one of those watches. It doesn't have a tourbillon, a calendar or a minute repeater. It doesn't even have a date window. What it does have, however, is a movement that showcases one of the most impressive feats of watchmaking ever achieved.
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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked 15305OR.OO.D088CR.01
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[@watchfinder]

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[@amiri1986]

"this may be swiss, but it's not a cheese" well done sir.

[@satbirsingh4969]

Your presentation is much more interesting than the watch itself! Impressive.

[@watchfinder]

Thanks very much!

[@rbp365]

I hated british accent before but this gentleman made my mind!

[@spidos1000]

There are many British accents. Some are nice to listen to while some aren't.

[@bhagwan5385]

I ended up buying the 41mm version of the double balance open work. I agree simple is more, but the thing that attracted me most about the openwork is it really portrays unrivalled passion in watch making, also it exposes the ideology and mechanics of time it self. Time is a fundamental bedrock of society, yet this time piece reminds me it is a machine an idea that has enslaved our psyche so much. Sometimes wasting time is a great option because at the end of the day owning this watch reminds me does it even exist.

[@xel...]

if i may ask how much did you pay for it

[@FRonTLinES10064]

Less is more when you look at the price tag 😂

[@Oozywolf]

FRonTLinES10064 Says the user with a Mercedes logo 😁😋

[@FredBTs]

Oozywolf You could buy a nice Mercedes for less than this watch.

[@Oozywolf]

Freddy T My parents bought their house for less than this watch lol.

[@YourSideHoe]

Basically how to sell more with less materials 😂

[@Schizophrenic0]

@@Oozywolf lol thats a cheap ass house

[@bennymarshall1320]

'This may be swiss but it isn't cheese'. Words to live by!

[@golfpark94]

This Audemars Piquet is the reason i love watches, it may not be the most complex movement, as you say, but the skill and devotion to make it as beautiful as this is incredible. At the SIHH this year i saw students of the 'Time Æon Foundation', they specialize in old methods of watchmaking. Now everyone can see why this is so important. Thanks for another of your great videos.

[@gabrielprado9165]

You should do a series of videos talking about the most commons complications . Like , what it takes to build a tourbillion , in the same way you talked about the difficulties of building this skeleton , and so on . I’d really enjoy it .

[@cooperwardell8558]

I love this watch, but to answer your questions I think the most skillful watch finishing is done on pieces like ALange&Sohne. Their dials are immaculately finished, but they are subtle enough to avoid looking noisy or illegible. The casbacks reveal movements which are finished to perfection by hand, much like the AP. And because their watches in many cases are more complicated, the finishing has to be applied consistently to more components. And then it also has to work. And I believe from looking at the two, the Lange’s have a much higher level of finishing than the APs. The bevels are wider, and uncolored so the mirror finish has to be perfect, and the bridges are cut away to reveal so many components that the time involved must be crazy. The thing I like the most about their watches is the handworkis not visible through the dial, so they are more subtle but can still be appreciated by the owner.

[@letssuperfuntime]

some of the finishing, brushing, and bevels appear to be quite rough under magnification.....

[@HB45175]

Need to go Patek Philippe to get something where every single surface stands up to macro.

[@snazzy]

HB45175 You mean Lange. 😉

[@letssuperfuntime]

I second Lange over Patek just for pure anal attention to detail, but point taken from the rest of you guys.

[@Disinf3ctant]

I always felt the royal oak was meant to look somewhat industrial.

[@watchfinder]

This is most likely due to the extreme magnification we're using. We're going to do a video where we show exactly the scales we're looking at. In some of the shots in this video we're looking at just a few millimetres!

[@mb-watches]

I am not a big fan of skeleton dials. But first time I saw the AP I was fascinated. It is a beautiful watch. Even though, if I were about buying an AP I would choose the normal RO yellow gold Chrono. Just because would like it’s looks more.

[@avivkestin7103]

Interesting choice... I would take a normal RO yellow gold with the classic blue dial, nothing else...

[@mb-watches]

Aviv Kestin, Yellow gold and blue is the best match EVER! Good choice 👍🏻

[@aidenbrantley7973]

I like the silver and blue combos more.

[@chayneteam6282]

As a designer who has invested 7,500+ hours in the construction of just one online infrastructure, with an 1,800+ page document chronicling its development since inception I can most definitely empathize with the dedication and passion needed to overcome mind-numbing tedium in the pursuit of excellence. In short, I absolutely love this skeleton AP.

[@ernestokling]

Watchfinder: you keep raising the bar with your watch videos. This might just be the most incredible so far. Such a watch for allowing admiration of the movement. Please keep making these awesome videos and keep exploring educational and aesthetic masterpieces! --By means of a small request, can we please get a video on the following watches and complications: AP Equation of Time, Patek Worldtimer, Grand Complication watches, the Rattrapante complication

[@watchfinder]

Thanks very much! We'll certainly try to get those watches on the list!

[@alpinestarsssss]

I'm not a fan of skeleton dials, but this would be a real treat to watch. Really beautiful movement.

[@Justinpiano1987]

“This may be Swiss... but it isn’t cheese.” 😂😂😂

[@troman5000]

I think the practice should continue. It's for the person that really appreciates the little machine on the wrist. The watchmaker also has a chance to show off the movement usually hidden by a more traditional face.

[@locutusdborg126]

I desperately want the SS version of the skeleton AP. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@MrPrush-ji4gs]

Locutus D'Borg SS

[@masterartz7994]

I so blessfully am fortunate enough to own one. Is blessfully a word?

[@buzzufy]

The color of this watch is great. I kinda like this watch. Thanks for the review

[@NetMillionaire]

Stunning Watch and very well made video! I love the close up shots! Keep up the great work.

[@kootic]

I'm a simple man. Watchfinder & Co. posts a video, I press play.

[@watchfinder]

Thanks!

[@thatsbod1041]

Funny how when you go macro some of the work appears rough. Skeletonisation isn’t for me even if I can appreciate the work involved.

[@LiteSwitch]

I agree. It's suprising how rough the finish work is on a $70k+ piece.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

I think its amazing for hand tooling on metal.

[@tyson8585]

Scammed :D

[@jarenong]

Nah, I had the expectation that swiss watches were crafted to perfection with ZERO defects. Turns out I was wrong. Lost quite a bit of respect for the swiss watch "image"

[@Sturnburn772]

Look at Lange, certain Grand Seiko, Credor and some independents. They finish better than the holy trinity IMO

[@rajgill7576]

1:55 thats a bold move, cotton

[@BryanO92]

I think the answer to your question of a greater example of watchmaking skill is the one master craftsman who knows all (or many if not all) of these skills, rather than employing specialists who only perform one task. Daniels, Dufour, Voutilainen and Murphy, to varying degrees, have made watches that are all the more special for the sheer breadth of mastery on display.

[@danielholmes007]

A beautiful video - balanced as always - but clearly profoundly respectful of the immense artisanal skill apparent in this AP. Lovely.

[@bautistamarangoni8367]

Stunning. My second favourite watch after Panerai L'Astronomo, also openworked.

[@brianlloyd4796]

Efforts in, efforts out! Beautiful watch

[@carlwang6174]

thanks alot for doing justice to the timepiece where it's due. The macro shots are brilliant. I was going to order a steel version of the double balance. But seeing how the openwork is flawed in details, I would just vote for the newly released 15202IP. Hope you get to do one video for it next year!

[@richardsherwin3259]

‘This May be Swiss.... but it isn’t cheese’ Now that’s a quote 👌

[@stationplaza4631]

There are seemingly countless styles of watches out there these days...Thanks to modern production methods as mentioned in this video, a greater customer base can appreciate what is going on. In the end of course, it's all down to that price tag (for most of us)....And yet, to see a traditionally crafted masterpiece like this ...It's truly a wonder, what can be achieved by human hand.

[@escatel6889]

Love the historical tidbits in these videos, like the origin of skeletonisation.

[@MrPrush-ji4gs]

I love how slim but solid it is

[@menaseven9093]

The gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Skeleton is a gorgeous watch. The skeleton design in a watch is a clever way to show a timepiece heartbeat tic tac and craftsmanship to watch lover and watch connaisseur.

[@cloverhal2284]

The 15204 stays the holy grail open worked ro

[@maxmonaco]

One of the most breathtaking watches ever! Love it! 😍

[@Ivan-zu8nq]

Can you make a video explaning the use of the purple crystals in the watch?

[@zacharylagler242]

Ivan those are Jewels, they provide less friction for each moving surface. Less friction equals better time keeping and less wear on the material...

[@Ivan-zu8nq]

Oh, that's really facinating. Would still be very interesting to see why they choose jewels, and not some other material, and what types and what their properties are.

[@Ivan-zu8nq]

Thanks, I'll check it out

[@watchfinder]

The jewels sit either side of key moving parts as bearings, and the synthetic corundum they're made of is both incredibly hard-wearing, temperature stable and has low friction.

[@ibnbhai]

Beautiful. I'll own it one day soon within some years

[@samial-nuaimi2976]

Beautiful!!!! Great content, I love this channel. It would be nice to see a review on the F. P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu. Keep up the good work

[@watchfinder]

Top choice! If we get one, we'll feature it for sure.

[@______-im2cn]

this has got to be one of the best if watch channels on youtube, scratches that paul thorpe itch.

[@andrewparker6091]

Amazing video! Just like all of your others. Thanks for your effort in putting these together!

[@jimmysplit7729]

Oh man! You really do your homework. I was at an AP event a few months ago and the watch maker explained how much time goes into the hand filing and polishing also that a large amount of the cost is because of this. Also found out that AP makes some of the movement for RM!

[@tototestes]

One of my dream watch. With dial or skeleton. Doesnt really matter to me. Awesome.

[@PK-mx7nf]

Best watch channel on YT hands down.

[@bennymarshall1320]

I like skeletonisation a lot more after watching this video!

[@derzemel]

I do not like wearing wrist watches, but I keep coming back here to watch your videos. Soo soothing.

[@martinnewton1984]

F p Journe CHronometre bleu

[@jminkvihubyb]

If you were to hold a well made watch in person, you might change your opinion..

[@teuton8363]

maybe you will change your opinion some day, its a pleasure to own a nice mechanical watch.

[@avivkestin7103]

Bold statement there.

[@Karlemilstorm]

Since I'm a mechanics nerd I really like skeleton watches. I currently have an automatic watch but it only has a "window" on the bottom. So you can't appreciate the mechanism when it is worn

[@geeunit831]

I swear you have the most soothing voice ever lol

[@pilotstyle123]

Outstanding video as always. You are my watch guru.

[@ChetanAcharya]

Your videos are so slick and well made!

[@Dr.Sheffield]

Many many thanks one of the best informative watch channel

[@watchfinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@jcondruid]

honestly i love these videos! keep up the amazing work !

[@JohnSmith-cs8nc]

Absolutely staggering presentation. Would you be in anyway interested in doing a video for lesser brands, such as the Hamilton Spirit of Liberty?

[@watchfinder]

Thanks very much! We're hoping to do a feature on more affordable brands very soon.

[@ProjektKlover]

I'm pretty certain that a really high tech CNC machine with several axes can create those rounded off corners.

[@Sturnburn772]

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of skeleton dials. I think for 95% of watches out there it looks tacky. But this AP is beautiful. I would still much rather own a plain dial AP, but I can see why someone would buy this.

[@slashd0t]

What an amazing video.. Thanks so much for this!

[@watchfinder]

You're welcome!

[@chandanh.s7924]

I find skeleton dials very attractive and as a statement of craftsmanship... I will never be able to afford anything close this.. But I just enjoy watching the narration and the story behind the making.. I find it very informative and intriguing..

[@Milofchg]

If there ever is a movie of my life, I would like you to narrate my story. Great presentation, and close ups on the movement. We can see the work put into each part. Amazing!!! I think someone who's a perfectionist, like to focus, work with their hands and has a bit of OCD. That person would be perfect for that job.

[@stevepabb]

Unbelievable watch, unbelievable channel. Simply the best horology channel on KZbin..

[@user-wi9nn6dz8w]

This is the only skeletonized watch that I like more than my Arnold & Son Nebula.

[@CleanFinish2023]

Stunning, that’s the grail!

[@la_da_kid]

Skeleton AP is one of the dopest watches ever! Dream watch for sure.

[@Russxiang]

Awesome video. Well presented

[@user-mo8pp4yy9d]

OMG this watch is speechless and breathtaking

[@Oozywolf]

I knew there had to be an upload today 🎉⌚ WOOT!

[@timrobins3391]

A video on anything Bremont next please.

[@deftmaantrilla293]

Awesome review. I can feel that you like the watch alot too. Good job

[@chaosad8415]

Looks nice but best on the back,you need a dial you can read on the front especially in a life or death scenario

[@ianwoollard2063]

It’s an impressive skill to produce these types of watches. I don’t mind skeletonised watches but I would be more inclined to prefer a display case back. Can you do a video on Omega’s Planet Ocean 8900 and discus the technology involved in the reduction of magnetism? The new in-house testing by Omega looks interesting too,how effective are these new standards.

[@teuton8363]

as always...beautiful video!

[@andersonrosa2022]

I love this watch! Its amazing!

[@tinhnguyen5699]

Compare to the other brand with same segmentation, this watch's price is insane highly !

[@luismercado5646]

As you asked i think the double balance wheel its a better example.

[@BlueSnowOfficial]

I love your videos! Can you try to get ahold of an AP Royal oak offshore and do a tare-down of the movement. I’m fascinated to see the difference between that one and a Rolex sub

[@ReconVette19D]

I don't like watches that aren't round, though I admire the work and design here. A medium sized 24 hour brietling is my "grail".

[@jayjonas]

I love your Videos! Can you do one about the Junghans Meister or Junghans Max Bill?

[@henrytheninja1163]

Great watch! I wear mine quite often

[@RolexDSSD]

Excellent video!!!

[@barryg4760]

Great review. Thankyou

[@llgselement]

Should have gotten the golden balance bridge one

[@BobbyDazzler888]

LLGS ELEMENT except boutique salespeople are handing them out to grey dealers and then selling at a premium. Its a big problem that should be addressed.

[@matthewhoover6154]

Simplistic (looking) beauty. I love that bracelet.

[@thabest007]

I like to be able to see the inside of the watch but in some cases like this it feels sort of lazy in a sense as well, despite the challenges involved in the skeletonization. I prefer a watch that has a good balance of original design and skeletonization, like one with a beautifully designed dial, and a movement on full display through a crystal caseback. Or the Bovet virtuoso VIII, with an originally designed half dial, with a tourbillon on show, a display caseback, and all the bridges that do not hide too much beautifully hand engraved.

[@user-wi9nn6dz8w]

Why are there so many spots on the straight-grained parts?

[@anirudhpal6386]

Corners can be done using CNC Wire EDM.

[@robertlulek1634]

If you put a Royal Oak side by side with a Patek Philippe Nautilus. The Royal Oak kicks it 52 Swift kicks in the ass

[@verlicht]

The ultimate achievement in watchmaking is making a perfect movement, finish it by hand to the highest standard and then hide it behind a dial. Patek Philippe truly knows the meaning of this achievement, and is considered by most to be the holy grail of watch makers.

[@analeite4988]

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

[@lsberrios1]

I would love to see a video of this vs. the Zenith Defy 21 for value comparison and differences. I would also like to see a comparo of the Zenith Defy 21, Omega Speedmaster with 9300 movement and a Rolex Daytona since they are all within a similar price range.

[@robertlulek1634]

I like the zenith 0 gravity. the problem is it loses so much value unfortunately even though it is a great watch I love AP as well

[@stardust4711]

Beautyful watch. Great review.

[@watchfinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@hsuhaochang]

surprisingly that a lot of defects on the surface of the polished elements....

[@robertlulek1634]

Defects?? I just see a beautiful watch

[@Anonymous.User.0419]

Nice craftsmanship, but no skeleton impresses me after seeing the movement of A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split Chronograph.

[@jessicaagriani]

I’m going to work hard and I’m going to buy this gorgeous watch

[@ansjdbdbdkdjn]

only a 15400 will do for me, still a great piece though.

[@royv8003]

What is the retail price of this watch?

[@tomthompson7400]

not a watch to buy if you own a loupe and are fussy , but i like it.

[@israrkabir5356]

You could do these shapes via 3d printing

[@opa-dick]

IT is a beutifull watch indeed.. And facinating to see the inside.

[@YTGhostCensorshipCanSuckMe]

I like the Patek 5180

[@brandonbrodbeck6688]

You need to get some 4k content please unless it's just my phone not showing the 4k option which could be a possibility

[@MaucTopa]

nice work!

[@trinitiusw6145]

Absolutely beautiful !

[@neotoy]

They should make a watch with all internal parts made out of subtly different colored glass. Perhaps only the springs and weights would be metal.

[@pr0jectSkyneT]

Please review the AP Millenary 4101