Has a £130,000 Tourbillon Ruined Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak? | Watchfinder & Co.

One of the industry’s most famous-or infamous, depending on how you feel about it-designs, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak set new standards for luxury watchmaking in the face of complete annihilation. It’s been heralded as an icon, a milestone, a game-changer-but does a tourbillon make it better, or worse?
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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra Thin 26510ST.OO.1220ST.01
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[@watchfinder]

We know you want more watches…. click here: linktr.ee/watchfinder

[@bombazine2]

Did he just say “like Patek Philipe making decorative bongs instead”? 😂

[@thegorn]

I now want a Patek decorative bong

[@Froobyone]

@@thegorn You'd get too many complications. :)

[@theviewfromthepanopticon1852]

he talks so much bollocks though doesnt he?

[@mrsir1872]

lol. i was like "did he just say bong?" my man!

[@MrJayPuff]

he said "bomb" like for militias. Dont be such a drugy

[@Drakovox]

How can a US$150,000 watch can have that kind of imperfections on the reserve markers? 5:12 Excellent video... again!!

[@illyapetrov6092]

It can, all have imperfections, maybe a lange or hand made doesent

[@stefanfreestylez]

Its about money at this point not about artistic perfection. There are other brands out there for that money or less that make higher quality products.

[@dertgild]

That is a VERY close zoom

[@LudicInterface]

@@dertgild Yes it is and? Is this comment trying to suggest it's not a fair critique? Do you not realize the watchmaker has a loupe of greater magnification? This imperfection would have been apparent to the watch maker during assembly and at over a $100,000 no such perfections should be visible with yes even a 10x zoom.

[@LudicInterface]

Perhaps these apparent "flaws" will make you watch enthusiasts realize the outrageous prices of all haute horology is bullshit/scam material at this point? Probably not as I've never seen a subculture with such little critical thought much of which of could be deemed cultish. Oh wait there is always the high end audio idiots with their $2000 power cords, $50,000 power amps and $45,000 turntables. I love when a trinity piece comes out like this demonstrating this absolutely apparent fact as though a steel Rolex going from $3500 to over $8000 was not an indicator enough. The finish on the reserve markers is laughable isn't it. BTW did any of you see the Air-King double nines video?

[@tommyrin5969]

"Hexagonal bolts that do not turn" a mystery that's puzzled my brain since the beginning of my interest in watches was solved today. Because I always thought that they did turn but had no idea how that was possible, I just settled at "probably another horology magic" Thank you @Watchfinder&co

[@MattVLRocks]

They hold the bezel to the case and are screwed tight from underneath - can be see from the case back... Functional, just not in a traditional sense ;)

[@JakubSvoboda23]

At least they are aligned, not like Hublots...:)

[@JakubSvoboda23]

And the quality of power reserve display is terrible

[@MattVLRocks]

@me hee kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXSQqmiHh6iIi6M

[@LoderMike]

Don't let them tease you. They turn

[@ritethumstik]

"What's the point of a pointless complication if it doesn't do anything and you can't see it not doing it?" I laughed so hard, the sarcasm is THICC 😂😂😂

[@RoelfvanderMerwe]

I almost fell off my chair 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@oneal14attnet]

That was the best! I’m stealing that one for my next watch meet-up!

[@santhoshwagle9857]

6:28

[@nintendokings]

ritethumstik That’s not sarcasm that was just a savage witty comment. Guessing you’re American, so many Americans don’t understand sarcasm for some reason

[@santhoshwagle9857]

nintendokings what is the difference?

[@SWatchik]

They could atlease bevel the cutout for the tourbillon... looks like someone just took a dremel tool to a dial

[@davidjb3671]

Yeah, and the central wheel hanging over it looks crude and unfinished. For a one-watch brand you'd have thought they'd take more care on the design, especially with the Code 11:59 having utterly failed. Just goes to show that even a 'Trinity' brand can't get away with everything. Maybe this is just AP soaking the punters so they can afford to pay for the redesign on the 11:59

[@mehtabbhogal5591]

Agreed...and this is coming from an AP owner too. I think the way AP inserts complications on the face of the RO to be poorly thought through in general.

[@robertsullivan4773]

Oh I was thinking to same thing.

[@AK-jl5xt]

SevenW25 V agreed!!

[@MattH-wg7ou]

I agree a bevel would definitely be better.

[@Wvk5zc]

Was gonna get this AP tourbillon. But after watching this video, I got a G-shock instead

[@gomlbondoc]

Same

[@cultav1x]

@@gomlbondoc God Mode !

[@flow104]

G shock always god tier

[@edwintschopp1493]

Good choice.

[@Ben.N]

GOD TIER

[@lefroy1]

The tourbillon looks incongrous on a watch designed to be simple.

[@Tigrt6150]

Spoken like a true peasant

[@lcsxwtian]

The misspell of the word incongruous is a bit incongruous in an otherwise good comment.

[@lefroy1]

@@lcsxwtian thaks fro you're imput

[@marcd7332]

Terad Mousa Who says peasant? Lmao

[@Munkenba]

Who ever said the royal oak was meant to look simple?

[@MyAffordableWatchCollection]

It's like trying to ruin ice cream with whipped cream

[@AlwaysBolttheBird]

My Chinese Watch Collection it’s more like trying to add whip cream to an ice cream sundae but in order to add the whip cream you need to remove the nuts chocolate syrup and Carmel syrup. You have to decide which you want more. They removed the second hand the date and automatic winding for it so you have to decide what you want

[@meekmili1199]

It's like McFlurry with Oroeo, it's not good for you but you still want it.

[@SavedbyHim]

Yes but the took some stuff away. You might ruin an ice cream by taking the cone and cherry away and putting whipped cream on it

[@rashid_art]

3:52 “ So, watch-guy Louis Breguet -you may have heard of him, he was kind of a big deal-.” You are incredible 😂😂😂😂😂

[@FarikoClass]

I think I’m in the minority, but I love the way it looks with the tourbillon, also the fact that it doesn’t have a date makes it look more symmetrical.

[@ahuca117]

130,000 for this level of finishing, 5:15, is quite depressing.

[@DANIEL-ct7jl]

Hoàng Giang Nguyễn true

[@ankitmehta4924]

When he said "heralded" I was hoping he'd say "geralded" like genta 😂

[@ivangray2591]

I think it looks good without the tourbuillon

[@meekmili1199]

no ugly and it doesn't add anything to the design it destroys the elegance of the original.

[@jonwik7056]

looks far better with tourbillon

[@ivangray2591]

Am I the only one who thinks the finishing on the screws is rough?

[@chris5k132]

Rough they are. Smh.

[@nuttynut722]

no, I see it too, also the finishing on the movement!

[@inscrutablechicken]

That's why i think AP ROOs are for people who want to show that they've made it rather than watch enthusiasts. All they care about is that it can be recognised from 5 metres away (which the more refined classic styles cannot). That's the reason why the RO tourbillon is sold out. There's too many people with RO money now so the new way to show you've made it is with this watch because the cutout can be recognised from 5m away too.

[@ivangray2591]

@@inscrutablechicken I agree. Real watch enthusiasts would rather pick a Lange or an fp journe over this

[@edwardblack7133]

Agree....also the power reserve and the logo.....this is not a GS

[@chinchinche]

It's a good day when watchfinder releases a new video.

[@barfymann362]

6:07 I see what you did there, you naughty little bugger.

[@deus_ex_machina_]

Crocs? Women?

[@thegorn]

Any hole is a goal.

[@jazzbeaunola]

"Sure....it may have achieved its fame in the same way as Paris Hilton..." Classic!

[@thegorn]

Or that Kardashian slag

[@herbhandyman8933]

"Going around in circles", love it. No great horological achievement here, only ostentation. You'd think for that amount they'd clean up the power indicator. As always, nice work!

[@jishudas4979]

6:58 was the best pun I’ve ever heard

[@RobertBrownieJr]

Decorative bongs 😂

[@debmalyorudrasarma2747]

I challenge you to review the cheapest automatic watch... aka the Winner Automatic Watch which is about 10 dollars

[@Stigstigster]

I'd love to see that. What a good suggestion!

[@debmalyorudrasarma2747]

@@Stigstigster Yeah man

[@dirtyhipstergolf8412]

“Breguet - he was kind of a big deal”

[@nukie404]

Tourbillon on a sports watch is like saying I have money to burn on a very expensive sports watch that I can't use as a sports watch because of its delicacy. #richpeople

[@valisechi2492]

My God, does the power reserve look like crap in that macro! Where’s the quality control? I guess I’m too used at looking at videos of Greubel but there’s no excuse for it to be looking so sloppy at over 100k. You kinda want 99% perfection at that price point. That hand and those painted indexes look like they belong to something coming out of China. I wonder what’s the finishing like on the parts you can’t see. So disappointing

[@paintballplayer700]

That got my attention too, that looks like it belongs on a Poljot, not a $100,000 AP. Lange would never release something that sloppy looking.

[@ronjenkins4257]

This look at the Audemars Piguet factory explains all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWi2Y2awhs2lfNE

[@SavedbyHim]

These prices are ridiculous no matter how perfect it would be

[@itsokaylah]

paintballplayer700 really?

[@donaldasayers]

@@ronjenkins4257 I love that video.

[@alexeria5351]

Watchfinder: Just buy both AP: *S T O N K S*

[@bravawatch]

A good example of holes improving the breed are the thirties Mercedes-Benz SSK and successor SSKL which added lightness

[@mb3318]

5:14 At that price, those reserve markers are just offensive.

[@Makaweli90]

AP is trying Apple's marketing strategy: paying more for less

[@AlwaysBolttheBird]

For me the reason I love the Royal Oak is that it can be an anything watch. Dress watch going to the mall watch anything. The tourbion (spelling?) one not only removes a bunch of features like automatic winding the second hand and the date is pretty much a dress watch now. Not for me but if it’s for you then you rock it.

[@anthonyiodice]

Never thought I’d hear “decorative bongs” on this channel!

[@dnv8703]

I love the voice over and the story each time - well done!

[@maddee2548]

Every Video is a Religious Experience

[@c.w.9615]

Another function of the tourbillon is showing that it is mechanical. I also agree that it is bling for the rich. My question is, isn't the tourbillon functional because it averages out the regulated positions no matter how the watch hangs from the wrist or what position it is in when stored?

[@pukenanginang]

“Tourbillion is a bunch of technology to be a wall clock” By Mr. JC Myer

[@Dan-56]

Oh no ! 😱 Someone has “chopped a hole” in the face of that beautiful watch.....so I guess you know how I feel about it now 🤨.

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Let’s just call it for what it is- A fuckoff watch for very rich people!! Great marketing from AP - a tourbillon sports watch- a must have for millionaires and billionaires!! Great vid.

[@notazip6814]

Complete NOB HERE . I'm seeing RUFF edges on the back power indicator registry . NOT IMPRESSED . NOT up to a. Lange , or most others I've really examined PASS

[@AbstractMan23]

i saw that too, pretty sloppy...

[@karlmadsen3179]

It's the expensive watch equivalent of automotive "go faster stripes".

[@aranmeredith5040]

So excessively delicate for a chunky, industrial watch.

[@connoisseurswatchesuk8958]

Such an amazing channel with great content, thanks for the knowledge and advice guys, I’m learning something new everyday for which I’m grateful and appreciative. Keep up the good work👍🏼

[@ianberg6534]

I seriously died when i heard "what's the point of a worthless combination that doesn't do anything if you can't see it not doing it"

[@AbstractMan23]

Watching full screen in 1080p, and at 5:32 I noticed that the word AUTOMATIC is slightly askew within that rectangle.

[@sam_the_man]

AbstractMan23 and if all of the dial print is applied in a single process, chances are the rest of the print will be slightly askew also

[@cykelhjalm]

I’m really impressed by the work put in to your videos👌🏻 Just excellent work and storytelling! Well done! I’m wondering what lens gear you use to shoot those amazing closeup shots?Im looking for a great macro lens setup. Just so pleasing to watch🙌🏻 Thanks!

[@craig2100]

Beautiful video and interesting content. Well done Mate!

[@tariqabdullah7044]

Am i the only one who LOVES the open tourbuillon? I can watch it all day long

[@devilevic]

It's such a joy watching your videos. Thank you!

[@costrat]

Such brilliant videos all. I pour myself some single malt and enjoy hugely these.

[@DarthMalaks_Missing_Lower_Jaw]

The dial is so beautiful-why mess it up with a useless complication? Spending money for spending money’s sake.

[@TKsheng]

Anyone else spotted the difference in depth of the brushed finishing on the case and bezel between the two?

[@CaptainFury767]

On some watches a tourbillon is an attractive, if unnecessary, shiny object. On the AP, it's just an epic fail.

[@Bronilli]

the royal oak gaining its fame the same way Paris Hilton did is the biggest rip I've heard on a watch in my life

[@doomfathertm8771]

I HATE that there's no bevel on the edge of the hole, it looks like they just punched out a hole for the tourbillon and thought 'fuck it that will do', it looks rough and unfinished. I am quite shocked!

[@DonLee1980]

simple steel watch that looks brash, costs more than a gold complex one... just shows people like to buy things that yell "I'm rich" rather than actually care of how much value the product is made of.

[@donovanshea3308]

I’m sorry but this has been bugging me for years; HOW DO YOU GET THOSE SCREWS OUT???

[@rodrigovaltierra9993]

Freaking excellent video as always 👍👍👍

[@ajidavinhui6152]

Lets just say the tourbillon is a diamond. And i dont actually mind having diamond(s) on a watch. I just wish it was done more a tastful way. That "hole" can be decarated better, right?

[@JH-ty3ic]

The most beautiful of complications and beauty is never pointless.

[@albertociaociao]

The best written script on any watch video to date. Bar none. Witty and wise. Just hope other watch commentators could come closer to this level.

[@arnoldduran4953]

@ 7:59 - Best Watchfinder quote ever. period.

[@simonassouline45]

Isn’t, beauty in the eye of the beholder! Function, simplicity, and aesthetics, is what separates the norm from the masses!

[@jamied931]

“Does putting a hole in something make it better?” Kaitlyn Jenner: 😮

[@100kmp]

The AP needs to be simple.

[@markdance574]

I would rather have an AP that has that case shape etc etc but has a automatically moved digital face like the stunning A Lange

[@SalvatoreCaruso24]

''If you have to ask the price of the tourbillon, it's not for you'' Hit and sunk

[@WatchGeek]

Firstly an AWESOME video and I love you humor! Secondly, cheap Chinese open heart watches made real tourbillions look cheap somehow

[@longdayattheoffice]

best watch channel ever! Thank you!

[@yaaxarr8977]

Great review as usual. Ty!!!

[@krokodyl1927]

The tourbillon addition did for this AP what the date placement did for the Longines timepiece shown in a previous upload. 😖👎

[@Digital-Dan]

For us techies, it's fun to look at. Otherwise, the one on the left.

[@renebense]

Look at the power indicator up close. On 5 min 13 sec. It looks realy bad. This looks bad on a £10 watch, let alone a £130.000,- one. The corners are cut out with a Stanley knife?

[@OBWAT]

Please review any Grönefeld watch! 👍

[@rageshgr]

"This is the Royal Oak, that's the Royal Oak to the other Royal Oaks" haha spot on

[@breakingtoast2255]

in a room full of royal oaks this is the royal oak that is the royal oak to all the royal oaks that are royal oaks in a royal oak full of royal oaks

[@shubin7217]

What's with the awful finishing on these watches? The rugged edges on the AP logo at 1:10, and the uneven power reserve gauge and hand at 5:13. Such poor finishing on a holy trinity? What blasphemy!

[@marcoguardi9963]

Completely agree with you.. It is kind of scandalous for a watch with that pricetag. They should learn how to do that from Lange & söhne artisans

[@KM-sn2kw]

Shu Bin have to disagree with you there...the tourbuillon is completely useless however it’s not there to be functional it’s there to be decorative and it serves that purpose....in this modern day n age of technology a date moonfece are longer purposeful

[@Stigstigster]

I was really surprised too. I understand and appreciate that when things are handmade/finished there will be imperfection. Take a macroscopic look at some of the world's finest engraving work and you will see imperfection but the overall object is beautiful and may not even require the finishing one would expect on a watch of this level. The real problem with this particular imperfection is that it didn't need to happen. How can they finish other parts so perfectly yet leave those marks looking like they were dug out with a blunt screwdriver, all relatively speaking of course?

[@shubin7217]

@@marcoguardi9963 or even grand Seiko. Some of their offerings have better indices and hands finishing at a fifth the price.

[@marcoguardi9963]

@@shubin7217 Yes, of course Grand Seiko too. That should be embarassing for AP, not because Grand Seiko makes bad watches, (obviously they are astonishing) but because of the enormous price difference. Unbelievable

[@JamesBardolphCS]

Please review the Tissot Janeiro Z199! If you do not have one I will lend you my own!

[@johnepic2422]

I'd wish we talked here more about more affordable watches, not just the ones for billionaires. Finding out about a perfect watch for yourself through this channel would be awesome.

[@AbstractMan23]

have a look at the Tudor videos he's done.

[@mikesomerset6338]

A Royal Oak says "I'm stinking rich". A Royal Oak with a tourbillion says "I'm stinking rich but I have no taste". If Delboy were a millionaire then he would pick the tourbillion.

[@hkyper]

Please review the Grand Seiko SBGD202 that dial deserves some macro shots.

[@rpakapohi]

Did he just compared a Royal Oak to Paris Hilton? that detail killed me hahaha

[@xx1j]

@6:30 lmao Patek Philippe

[@SnowBunneh]

$150000 is 3/4ths of a nice house in Denver. Reguardless of how much money you have, there comes a point where I have to ask is that even ethical when people in Flint Michigan don't even have clean water.

[@KIRIWANG]

I thought the ap Tourbillon on the right is a replica?

[@kovko69]

Personally, I think that the tourbillon should only be showcased through the caseback, as if it were any other part of the movement. Why? It frees up the dial's real estate.

[@vishalkalra2431]

Great content !

[@garyg3617]

Didn’t John Arnold invent the tourbillon but couldn’t make it work. Allowed Breguet to use any of his ideas and Breguet made the first working tourbillon.

[@OvidiuHretcanu]

9:30 "would you care about what time it is on such a watch, would you care about a stupid accuracy that is in any bloody stupid computer? ...No. Leave the accuracy, leave visibility on to technology (that's why technology is there) but we have technology and you have art. A technology has no soul, it just has perfection." -- Jean-Claude Biver, discussing the Hublot All Black ;)

[@SomeOneOneOne]

The reason every watch is Displayed at 10:10?

[@guillaumevachon2997]

To look like smiling 😉

[@danh5977]

Royal Oak: *Exists* Tourbillon: Its free real estate

[@markusyeetus]

Exactly what I was thinking about😂👌

[@HalmarkCreates]

Some decorative bongs cost more than a Patek haha. Look up BuckGlass, JenkinsGlass, Banjoglass, Cha_glass. All these people make $10,000+ smoking devices

[@badenpobjoy1877]

give me the date and second hand everytime....another great Video BTW...

[@Ben.N]

Futurama reference? 😳

[@LudicInterface]

If you look at the tapisserie dial and compare the squares where they meet the hole and are cut away you will notice the hole isn't square. Near the middle/bottom it's offset to the left enough to have cut into a tapisserie square on the left whilst not cutting into it on the right. The workmanship on the bridge reserve indicators at 5:12 is ridiculous for a $100,000 plus watch. I vote for AP being removed from the trinity.

[@matthias6661]

Do one about Nautilus 5800, 3800

[@superradicalmechagrandpa]

now im curious what an AP bong would look like

[@Krrish85]

Looks much cleaner without it. Also the cutout looks kinda cheap.

[@styx4947]

You gotta give AP respect for taking that chance. If you were given the spec's without seeing it, you would think it insane to spend that kind of money on it.

[@FireBlade57]

Where can I find that amazing background music?

[@thegreenfish21]

The only issue is they've forgotten to put the logo on

[@CJ-rb3do]

I endorse this message. Also, any piece without a second hand freaks me out.