Evolution.
The modular sec@12 movement has been in use for close to 30 years already and it’s high time AP moves on to have an integrated chrono movement, and makes changes to refresh the product line to maintain interest, and like all luxury goods, progress based on planned obsolescence to keep the orders coming.
Aesthetics wise, I think it’s just another thing which people will grow used to. Rep will be rep and gen will be gen, that is a chasm which will never be bridged when it comes to value of the watches. So honestly, even if the rep looks like the gen perfectly, the gen will always retain its value and that is what luxury watch ownership is really about: not just the looks and functions of a watch (which the rep can give to a large degree) but also the provenance, worth and history of the brand and model, which is something only gen watch ownership can provide.
I agree that this new series of offshores can be easier replicated than the older ones. This will benefit owners who want the novelty of wearing an accurate looking replica watch without spending money on the gen, but the gen collectors will still buy the gen no matter how radical the new designs look and how much he complains about it.
I like the progression in the brand myself and will like to buy one of these when I have the chance to. The changes in the design and details do take some getting used to, but look at how the once loathed 15500 elevated. This series of offshores will be like that for the loyalists of the brand.
Thank you for sharing and I appreciate the pics.