Why I Avoid These Watches

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a classic luxury watch with exterior metal finish so exquisite many owners are afraid to wear them. After all, what could be more upsetting than putting the first scratch or dent on a $37,900 watch? But what if Audemars Piguet were to apply a battery of scratches and scuffs before retail sale? That would encourage owners to wear their Royal Oaks, discourage flippers, and even give AP a chance to charge a premium; everyone would win. Tim also explores a list of pitfalls in "never buy these watches." A Royal Oak Jumbo - currently reference 16202ST.OO.1240ST.02 in steel form - is the ultimate integrated bracelet sports watch. The bracelet alone requires nine to eleven hours to decorate. Polished bevels, perpendicular satin brushed steel, and intricately formed facets define the first and greatest sports watch of its genre. However, all of that ends the moment its owner scratches the watch. The anguish, lost pride, and remorse of scratching a Royal Oak of any description - not just the jumbo - is reason enough for some watch buyers to avoid wearing the watch. This also impacts the aftermarket for preowned AP Royal Oaks. First, owners who are afraid of scratching their watches may decide to unload them as used watches "new in box." That can't be said of watches previously worn and marked by use. Fear of scratches may not start as a plan to flip a watch, but the effect is to increase the number of watch flippers in the marketplace. Pre-scratched w