New AP 26240 with 4401 Super Clone movement is coming

[Rangerfan]

Where would one get a 22k rotor? Thats disappointing that the factories just cant use a heavier plate. Cant be that difficult or expensive can it?

I was told by my TD/modder they could CNC a 22K rotor for me for about $1000. If the weight of the rotor impacts functionality that much, it seems like a great opportunity to use tungsten.

Have people with the 26240 and a stock rotor had power reserve issues?

 

[munichman]

Cant be that difficult or expensive can it?

Depends from where you are coming.
One gram of 22k costs ~ 80,- €, one gram of brass costs ~ 0,4 C.
So right, the difference is not really big.
So why do they make such a fuss about it?

 

[Db9s]

I assume that it´s not cost cutting, but more strength/stability of the steel bolts.
Gold is a rather soft material, no matter which alloy.

The gold versions still have gold bolts. The steel versions started out as gold and are now downgraded to steel.

Otherwise the gold versions would also be downgraded to steel.

…it’s cost cutting.

Also the reason why a lot of AP components, over the years , have been moved “in house” is that they can outsource them to China without getting caught.

 

[legend]

The gold versions still have gold bolts. The steel versions started out as gold and are now downgraded to steel.

Otherwise the gold versions would also be downgraded to steel.

…it’s cost cutting.

Also the reason why a lot of AP components, over the years , have been moved “in house” is that they can outsource them to China without getting caught.

I agree with the fact that it’s cost cutting. The newer batches of APs do not come with instruction booklets/manuals either. Here and there things are getting cut out or simplified. This does not go unnoticed by the regular clientele but the new clients will have no clue.

 

[elusive1]

I think a similar thing is happening across most brands. Panerai for example used to come with an extra strap, but many these days do not.

 

[GeneralRep]

I agree with the fact that it’s cost cutting. The newer batches of APs do not come with instruction booklets/manuals either. Here and there things are getting cut out or simplified. This does not go unnoticed by the regular clientele but the new clients will have no clue.

Considering AP's margins surely have increased over the years, rather than the opposite (due to inflation on high-end watches being close to 100% in the last decade) one would hope they don't skimp on the craftsmanship and outsource.

Further, if Chinese replica factories can produce a watch that is visually and mechanically 95-97% identical to the genuine sibling at a cost of around 500USD (guesstimate) and a gen costs 50K to buy in retail, AP are make incredible margins. Obviously, it doesn't cost AP 25K or 50% of retail price to produce a watch.

 

[CrazyOCD.RepWearer]

Considering AP's margins surely have increased over the years, rather than the opposite (due to inflation on high-end watches being close to 100% in the last decade) one would hope they don't skimp on the craftsmanship and outsource.

Further, if Chinese replica factories can produce a watch that is visually and mechanically 95-97% identical to the genuine sibling at a cost of around 500USD (guesstimate) and a gen costs 50K to buy in retail, AP are make incredible margins. Obviously, it doesn't cost AP 25K or 50% of retail price to produce a watch.

Don't forget professional sponsorships and marketing are very expensive! (not that it excuses watches to cost as much medium to high level cars / houses)

 

[Amaiel]

Considering AP's margins surely have increased over the years, rather than the opposite (due to inflation on high-end watches being close to 100% in the last decade) one would hope they don't skimp on the craftsmanship and outsource.

Many years ago I red a report about the luxury market and the estimated gross margin for the super premium watch was 80% and the AD mark up was about 35%. So 30.000 euro of retail price means approx 4.000 euro of cost.......

 

[love_in_jumbo]

White one finally arrived!
Dial looks so good. Hard to capture indeed.
Bracelet does feel sharp tho on the inner edge, but this is my first ap rep/gen, so cant compare to other models.

Great fit! May I ask wrist size?

 

[memox]

Great fit! May I ask wrist size?

Thanks, roughly 17,5cm

 

[Db9s]

Considering AP's margins surely have increased over the years, rather than the opposite (due to inflation on high-end watches being close to 100% in the last decade) one would hope they don't skimp on the craftsmanship and outsource.

Further, if Chinese replica factories can produce a watch that is visually and mechanically 95-97% identical to the genuine sibling at a cost of around 500USD (guesstimate) and a gen costs 50K to buy in retail, AP are make incredible margins. Obviously, it doesn't cost AP 25K or 50% of retail price to produce a watch.

I’m willing to bet it doesn’t cost AP $500 to make a watch. But they are definitely outsourcing a lot of their stuff to China to bring it down to near $500.

I’m betting a lot of the caliber and watch components made “in house” are done in China with close links to APS. Then the assembly is “Swiss”

Simply put, AP isn’t willing to pay enough for the Swiss manpower for what they claim as Swiss made. Their illusion of handmade doesn’t exist beyond their press photos.

Rolex on the other hand is definitely Swiss. They have huge factories in Switzerland and the automation to get it done.

Ironic but true.

 

[locvs]

According to that ordinance, the geographical indication Switzerland or Swiss can be used on a watch if:

• its technical development is carried out in Switzerland;
• its movement (the motor of the watch) is Swiss;
• its movement is cased up in Switzerland;
• the manufacturer carries out the final inspection in Switzerland; and
• at least 60 percent of the manufacturing cost are generated in Switzerland.

A movement is considered to be Swiss if:

• it has been assembled in Switzerland;
• the technical development is carried out in Switzerland;
• it has been inspected by the manufacturer in Switzerland;
• at least 60 percent of the manufacturing cost are generated in Switzerland; and
• the components of Swiss manufacture account for at least 50 percent of the total value, without taking into account the cost of assembly.

Well developement is always swiss.
Final asembly and inspection are done in Switzerland. The gold/platin Rotor is installed in Switzerland. The Rotor beeing the most expensive part of the movement (more than 50%). That alone acounts for over 60% of manufacturing cost.

Buy movement in China without engraving for 250USD. Add engraving and gold rotor making it 550USD total cost. Put it into the case and inspect it in Switzerland. That would take 2 hours - 125USD each hour - labour cost, facility, management, etc. Your watch is now 800 usd and can be called swiss made.

I'm not saying that how AP operates, but you can turn a 75USD chinese movement into a 1500+USD MSRP watch.

 

[munichman]

I´m seriously doubting that Ap is "faking" anything.
Comparing the numbers of AP and Rlx, they are of corresponding.
Rx manufactured 1,2 Mio Pieces, made 10,6 Bilion CHF revenue and had 10.000 Employees in 2024.
AP manufactured 0,05 Mio pieces, made 2,4 Billion CHF revenue and had 1.450 Employees in 2024.
https://thehourmarkers.com/articles...uxeconsult-top-50-swiss-watch-brands-for-2024
Especially the number of employees would be too high for AP when they would outsource major fractions of the production to China or elsewhere.
And besides these numbers, the risk of something like this coming to light is much too high and it would ruin the reputation of the brand beyond repair.

 

[locvs]

I´m seriously doubting that Ap is "faking" anything.
Comparing the numbers of AP and Rlx, they are of corresponding.
Rx manufactured 1,2 Mio Pieces, made 10,6 Bilion CHF revenue and had 10.000 Employees in 2024.
AP manufactured 0,05 Mio pieces, made 2,4 Billion CHF revenue and had 1.450 Employees in 2024.
https://thehourmarkers.com/articles...uxeconsult-top-50-swiss-watch-brands-for-2024
Especially the number of employees would be too high for AP when they would outsource major fractions of the production to China or elsewhere.
And besides these numbers, the risk of something like this coming to light is much too high and it would ruin the reputation of the brand beyond repair.

That would depend how you count your employees. Do Boutique salesepeople count as your employees, or are they employed under a different entity.

Hasn't ruined Richemont, that all they movements are made by ValFleurier.

Again - I#m not sayint AP is doing this, but they sure as hell source parts from all over the world.

 

[alibo70]

Either way, wouldn't be a huge surprise for many of us if confirmed majority of AP and Rx production is outsourced.

 

[memox]

Dial: Stern
Case: Favre & Perret
Bracelet : Gay Freres
Movement: JLC

That is how the first Royal oak was made. And most brands nowadays outsource parts and that isnt something bad imo, but saying that they outsource from aps is...interesting

 

[QueTip]

Wow, some of your conspiracies surely deserve a tinfoil hat. I hope you got that on right now.

Ironic but true.

Let's not call things facts that you can't 1000% back up, ok? I can tell you with certainty you are wrong in many of your assumptions and conspiracy theories above. And I'm sure @legend will also be able to further confirm that.

 

[j21]

I’m willing to bet it doesn’t cost AP $500 to make a watch. But they are definitely outsourcing a lot of their stuff to China to bring it down to near $500.

I’m betting a lot of the caliber and watch components made “in house” are done in China with close links to APS. Then the assembly is “Swiss”

Simply put, AP isn’t willing to pay enough for the Swiss manpower for what they claim as Swiss made. Their illusion of handmade doesn’t exist beyond their press photos.

Rolex on the other hand is definitely Swiss. They have huge factories in Switzerland and the automation to get it done.

Ironic but true.

Nothing is outsourced from China. They do outsource parts of the watch but with factories from inside Switzerland

the final cost of the watch is not so simple, a business has expenses and must be factored at the asking price, and at this level the expenses are pretty crazy

 

[Phan.tom]

Same model we have been talking about the entire thread, 26240 although the suffix of the model number is CE for ceramic.

All dealers should have them readily available, but keep in mind we saw a couple of failed bracelets, so I can only assume many buyers are holding out until an official revision is made public.

Thank you. I had an error in my search text for the CE. Appreciate the guidance.

 

[leo6929]

So much speculation in the latest posts... some of you guys do have a lot of information, apparently.... I just want to know how to fix the autowinding problem, I have that issue too with my APs