I decided to look into my AP "B" box today and saw that I own a 26470SO Dark Knight, and decided to write a little review about it to remind me of why I purchased it in the first place.
And so, after obtaining repeated feedback from AP watch owners, and finally seeing the light, AP decided to release in 2018, 2 42mm with ceramic bezels. One is the grey monochrome 26470IO and the other is the 26470SO model. They were colloquially named the "Ghost" and "Dark Knight" respectively. I purchased the Ghost first, and then the Dark Knight some months after. They are both very different both visually and in this short review we will focus on the Dark Knight.
This is a model I wore a lot less than the Ghost, partly due to the heftier weight. The 2018 Dark Knight is actually IDENTICAL to the 2014 Vampire save that it has a black brushed ceramic bezel added and also a new dual tone straps, which is black with blood red accents. Striking colors, but decidedly softer than the usual rubber straps AP opted to use for the offshores.
The watch itself is strikingly good looking, and has a gloss black mega tapisserie dial with sunburst charcoal subdials, which are each surrounded by metallic silver rings.. The red chrono hands sit strikingly against the black dial, and in the same red accent, the second counter ring surrounds the dial in seemingly defiant contrast. The dial markers are stark white and provide stark clarity to mark off the hours. The hands are the usual perfect white gold finish, and provides added legibility when reading the time.
A pic of the watch sitting in its case
I personally love the contrast of the ceramic bezel with both the bezel screw decoration and the mid case. Other than creating a layered aesthetic appeal, the ceramic bezel also provides some resistance against scratches compared to stainless steel bezels, especially for chunky watches like the Royal Oak Offshore. The crown and pushers are both made of black ceramic as well (brushed for the crown and gloss for the pushers). It is overall a watch which can be worn daily, and a watch which looks a lot better in person than in pictures, especially the sad photography skills I have for capturing watches.
One minor thing is that since 2019, AP uses a random double alphanumeric series prefix for the serial number. It no longer follows the alphabetical series previously used. This watch for example has a "HM" prefix as seen below
This is overall a rather striking watch visually. The colors of black, red and metal all blend well in an artful fusion and this makes for a good everyday watch. If you were ever on the fence regarding the rep, I will urge you to get it. Visually the rep is close to the gen, especially with the black dial and datewheel (get the updated V2 with cyclop and dw already upgraded) blurring lines on the actual position of the date window.
On the wrist, after dusting it off
TGIF guys and thank you for reading this short little post of mine. It is more a reminder to myself then me trying to sell you guys anything. The rep is excellently crafted. Get one if you like the looks of it, and you won't regret it.
