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***Pictorial review*** AP Royal Oak Blue 26331ST from Trusty

mike00

Known Member
20/4/11
144
50
0
Hi there!

Before my 2 week trip I ordered the new AP Royal Oak 26331ST. Once I came home my package was there waiting for me!:D

As usual I ordered it from Andrew (Trustytime). Shipping took about 4 days but unfortunately i was not home. A few days ago I came back and finally I was able to open it and... WOW what a watch. I had no AP in my collection anymore and I missed the brand a bit. I noticed in Andrew his earlier posts it seemed they put allot of effort in this watch. Well... I can confirm that 100%.

I took the blue version because the blue version is pretty rare in real life. Only the Boutiques sell these and they are pretty much not availabe/ sold out. I believe the blue version is also a bit higher prices compared to the black or white dialed version.

The finishing of the case/ bracelet is regarding finish pretty much equal to GEN. I hardly could notice any difference with the piece a business friend has. The polished parts are done very well just like the brushed area's on the watch. Absolutely stunning!!! The clasp is also pure art and it closes and opens smooth like butter.

The crystal is very clean looking, No AR applied which is same as per GEN. Nevertheless it looks very crisp and it doesn't need any AR anyway in my opinion.

The blue dial has a bit of a sunburst effect and pops out beautifull when the light hits it. Also the dial seems to be made very accurate just like all the inscriptions which are applied. Pics don't do justice with this rep. The non recessed datewheel was also something which attraced me, just like the different subdial positions compared the earlier Oaks.

Some specs from trusty: AP0558 - Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST SS/SS Blue/Wht OMF A7750 [AP0558] - $488.00 : Trusty Time Online Store, Your Trusty Watch Shop

OM Factory Best Edition Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST Stainless
No recessed datewheel for the first time!!!

MOVEMENT: Nickel Plated Asia 7750 Valjoux Automatic Movement with fully decorated rotor like Genuine movement Caliber 2385 (Specially customed with working Subdial @ 6:00 and 3:00 & 9:00 Subdials are non-functional - Datewheel is like genuine and not recessed at all)
CASE DIAMETER: 41mm
THICKNESS: 15mm
DIAL COLOR: Blue Checkered Dial with White Subdials and Stick Markers (With Green Superlume Applied)
CASE MATERIAL: Solid Stainless Steel 316F
BRACELET: Solid Stainless Steel 316F Bracelet with Deployant Buckle
FRONT GLASS: Sapphire Crystal
CASE BACK: Solid case back with Detailed Engraving
BEZEL: Stainless Steel Bezel
HACK MOVEMENT:
CLASP TYPE: Deployant Buckle
DATE INDICATOR: At 4:30 position (Adjusted via the crown) - Non recessed datewheel (Like Genuine 1:1)

OTHER REMARKS:

Waterproofed to 30m direct from Factory

On to the pics, enjoy them!

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Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk
 

legend

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I agree with all that the OP has written regarding the details and features of the watch. My friend has the exact same one and the watch is well-executed.

There are two obvious flaws for this replica IMHO
1. The hands base is too wide. This can howwever be trimmed.
2. The watch is of course about 4mm thicker than the gen. This changes the profile of the watch entirely vs the gen. This cannot be helped at this point due to the A7750 sec@6 movement.

These aside, I think it is fair to say that the factory as good as they could. It is a nice looking watch, details are well-executed and material quality is visually as good as the gen. But it is also way too thick, and I do not know if it can be thinned down.
 

mech500

Mythical Poster
6/4/12
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Looks great.
Nice pics also.
Thanks for sharing and wear her well!
 

M_Hall

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Great pictures, thanks a lot.

Was so excited for this release but it’s too thick for me, shame as it’s otherwise a really well executed Rep.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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legend

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Great pictures, thanks a lot.

Was so excited for this release but it’s too thick for me, shame as it’s otherwise a really well executed Rep.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1.
Until the rep factories release the clone movement for this model (and it is definitely possible, given they did one for the Rolex 4130), the thickness will always be an issue if they base it on a fully working and modified A7750 movement, with gear transfers.
 
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SuperLory

Well-Known Repist
22/10/15
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i'm always against non functional chronos but for this particular model I wouldn't mind a solution a-la-ARFdaytona to trim it down as much as possible

best would be a clone movement obviously. As it is, it's really hard to stomach the obesity of it. Especially because it is such well made otherwise
 
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team

Horology Curious
9/7/15
16
1
3
Wow what a fantastic looking Rep. I have been contemplating buying something with a stainless band and that might do it. With this one actually being a bit bigger than a gen it might work out!
 
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legend

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Wow what a fantastic looking Rep. I have been contemplating buying something with a stainless band and that might do it. With this one actually being a bit bigger than a gen it might work out!

It is not bigger per se. It’s merely a lot thicker. The proportions of the rep royal Oak chrono are just wrong. If you’re after a chunky watch you’re better off with the ROO diver or 44mm ROO.


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legend

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i'm always against non functional chronos but for this particular model I wouldn't mind a solution a-la-ARFdaytona to trim it down as much as possible

best would be a clone movement obviously. As it is, it's really hard to stomach the obesity of it. Especially because it is such well made otherwise

Best will be gen bro. It’s always 1:1 lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

flofas

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i'm always against non functional chronos but for this particular model I wouldn't mind a solution a-la-ARFdaytona to trim it down as much as possible

best would be a clone movement obviously. As it is, it's really hard to stomach the obesity of it. Especially because it is such well made otherwise

Could a modder tear down the watch and remove the chrono functions to thin it down? It does sound like too much work, but a RO chronograph is a dream for a lot of people, and OMF made huge steps towards that dream.
 
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team

Horology Curious
9/7/15
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It is not bigger per se. It’s merely a lot thicker. The proportions of the rep royal Oak chrono are just wrong. If you’re after a chunky watch you’re better off with the ROO diver or 44mm ROO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have 2 of those currently and they are wonderful. Thanks for the information.
 

m1994

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Amazing pictures...

But the thickness of the watch is huge, I am against non-functional chronographs, but in order to reduce the maximum thickness of this it would not bother me if it were not functional.
 
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rek001

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16/3/06
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I'm contemplating getting this watch - even with its flaws, but am worried about how it would look on my 6.5" wrist.

What do you guys think?

BTW looks great on you Mike, and beautiful photos, thanks.
 

Goodwood

Known Member
30/1/11
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Can't believe that 4mm in the caseback which disappears into your wrist anyway is a deal stopper.
 

legend

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Can't believe that 4mm in the caseback which disappears into your wrist anyway is a deal stopper.

Yes, to each his own and that is why every model of AP replica produced gets purchased, despite having this flaw or that.
We all have different threshold regarding what we can accept in a replica. I cannot comment on your acceptance of the caseback thickness, but objectively speaking, a 4mm changes the case profile of the watch quite a fair bit, through feel, and sight. A 1mm difference in thickness will easily be absorbed by the wrist when wearing the watch yes, but 4mm is tough for total negation. Besides, its also about the comfort and balance when you put the watch on. In general, whenever a large caliber watch sits too high on the wrist because it is thick, it is going to feel very off in terms of absolute balance, and this feeling is amplified when you have tried on the gen and knows how the designer intends it to feel on the wrist.
I do not own either the gen or rep ROC, but yes I have tried on both before and the feeling when wearing the rep one is akin to wearing the Rolex DSSD, top heavy, chunky, and totally off balance.

Ultimately though, you decide what is your deal breaker, not the rest of us. Nobody can stop you from buying what you like.
 
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