Orangedial's travelogue with his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26300 offers a compelling long-term review of the watch's versatility and performance in diverse settings. His detailed impressions, from its aesthetic appeal to its timekeeping accuracy during a European business and leisure trip, provide valuable insights for potential owners. This post effectively demonstrates the ROC's capability as a robust yet elegant travel companion, making it relevant for collectors considering a luxury sports watch for daily wear and adventures.
I was on a business trip to Europe for two weeks in September. Besides attending one of the biggest rail trade fair, Innotrans 2012, in Berlin, I also visited Munich and London. Works aside, the trip would not be completed without some sightseeing, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime experience to the Oktoberfest at its place of origin in Bavaria of Germany. With so many actions happening during the trip, I'm really pleased to say that my ROC, the only watch I brought along with me, has weathered extremely well as a competent and enjoyable travel companion.
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A short review, or rather a sharing of impression, of my ROC 26300 White dial...
It is fantastic and extremely enjoyable to wear! After owning it for two months, with an intensive traveling in Europe, I must say that the silvery dial, the masculine lines and the multitude of finely brushed and polished surfaces on the chronograph case and bracelet have never ceased to capture my attention, especially when it reflects the rays of the beautiful sunlight in Europe. The white dial is very versatile and elegant which goes well with all sorts of attire whether casual or formal. The watch is weighty but not heavy and the weight distribution is very well balanced. I have to remove a few links and swap the direction of the clasp for it to be worn comfortably on my 6.75" wrist. One small problem I have with the AP-clasp is that at certain position, the corner of the sculpted "P" on the clasp would stick into my wrist and cause some discomfort. Of course this could be easily relieved by wriggling my wrist a little to loosen its grip (and obviously, this problem has been resolved with the new clasp design in the latest RO series).
Time-keeping wise, I have nothing to complaint about as the AP2385 movement keeps time reasonably well although I must say the Rolex chronometers are a tad more accurate. The ROC does not have a hack mechanism, hence the second hand won't stop during time adjustment. But it doesn't bother me at all. Overall, this is a luxury watch with the highest quality. I'm very proud to own it, feel like pampering it but at the same time can't bear to leave it idle. And it is so perfect as an all-occasion watch, if not a daily-beater! As some said "it is best appreciated on the wrist"... and I attest to it!
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Back to Europe, the trip started with a 5-day stay in Berlin for the trade fair. Then we moved on to Nuremberg for a short stopover before taking a road trip on the Autobahn to Munich, which we spent another 5 days. The last leg of the trip was in London for a 4-day visit. Along the way, we met many business partners and friends, and the highlight of the trip was obviously the merry atmosphere of the Oktoberfest which was widely celebrated all over Germany, if not the world. All in all, the trip was a fruitful one (with lots of works to follow up with). My ROC has certainly sweetened the journey and my ever-trusty Fujifilm X100 has managed to capture tons of fine moments and sweet memories.
Sharing here a mini travelogue of my ROC's virgin Europe trip. Enjoy the pictures!
BERLIN
1. Innotrans 2012, one of the biggest rail trade fair in the world held once every 2 years in Berlin
2. ROC and Brandenburger Tor, the icon of Berlin
3. Brandenburger Tor in evening with an interesting sky
4. Brandenburger Tor in its glorious shine at night
5. Enjoying a Berliner white beer
6. The remains of the Berlin Wall. This is the longest section of the remains
7. ROC and the Berlin Wall
8. ROC at work on the trackside
9. WEMPE @ Berlin
10. APs! *price in Euro*
NUREMBERG
11. The morning in Nuremberg, a city rebuilt in 1950s after being completely destroyed during WW2
12. ROC and Infiniti SUV, the car we hired to negotiate the speed-UNlimited Autobahn
MUNICH
13. ROC in Fleming's Hotel, a very cozy and conveniently located hotel which was fully occupied during the Oktoberfest period in late September
14. Munich city view from a 14-storey clock tower which was first built in 1050...
The twin towers of the red church are the tallest buildings in Munich, and no other modern buildings shall be built taller than them by Munich's law
15. People congregated at the Munich city centre to watch the Oktoberfest parade
16. ROC at Oktoberfest!
17. And ROC dared this monster!
18. A view from atop...
19. Oktoberfest!!!
20. In the Paulaner beer tent
21. ROC and Paulaner white beer! Spending the entire evening here with beers and musics was an unforgettable experience
22. Oktoberfest was merry, happy and romantic
LONDON
23. A stroll in Kensington Park
24. Autumn
25. ROC & Albert
26. ROC & Royal Albert Hall
27. Trafalgar Square in evening
28. ROC and Nelson's Column
29. ROC and National Gallery
30. Regent Street
31. Piccadilly Circus and a street performer from Ghana
32. Big Ben and the three musketeers!
33. ROC and Big Ben
34. ROC and squirrel! They are not afraid of human
35. ROC and Buckingham Palace
If you have made it this far, I hope I have not bored you with all the travel photos
My biggest surprise of the trip actually happened when I visited the Harrods shopping mall in Knightsbridge. It has one of the most amazing AP collections I've seen in any AD or boutique so far. And I finally had my virgin touch on the new 15202 with the AP logo at 6 o'clock! It was really an icing on the cake for this trip
Thank you for reading! Hope you have enjoyed
Wayne
