MADRED7 Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Dear All, As promised, I have done a closer inspection of my newly arrived AP ROO Tour Auto 2010. First up, some information from the gen……there has been SOME confusion about these watches, this will clear the sky: The Swiss watch manufacturer is celebrating its status as official timekeeper of the Tour Auto for the fifth consecutive year by launching a new limited series: the Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2010 Chronograph, issued in a limited edition of 60 pieces. Along with this piece, AP launches a limited edition of 40 pieces for the National Classic Tour 2010….identical to the above except for the engraving on the caseback. Further more collectors will be offered a new chronograph, “The Drivers Edition”, cosmetically like the above but with orange accents, a double-row stitched strap and the new standard caseback for ROO chronographs. So for now we all know that there are 3 quite similar pieces for the gen: Tour Auto 2010, LE of 60 pieces done for France National Classic Tour 2010, LE of 40 pieces for Belgium Drivers Edition, unlimited edition, only available in AP Boutiques. Now to my watch and my observations: Please forget about the 3 usual flaws we will face with ALL released ROO´s (datewindow/font, caseback-thickness and the sit of crown and pushers). The case of my watch is wonderfully finished, brushed and polished parts are 100%. Best part of the case with this Tour Auto is the new design for the bezel, it is so different to the standard bezel, it looks the dogs [censored] and the brushed and polished parts of the bezel will be seen as light or dark grey depending on light and angle….wonderfully done. The machining on the bezel-part was one thing I feared the most when the factory worked on the watch…the sit and positioning of the screws is the VERY BEST I have seen so far with ANY of my ROO´s (and I have a lot of them )….exactly and with no gap! When I changed the strap I wondered if the factory just made fake-endlinks that will not be removable…haha, no, but they machined them so precise, so exact, that the endlinks popped into place and the screws went in like butter…wow! Some thoughts on the leather strap as this was the most weak part of any ROO in the past (RB2 was an excaption), the black calf leather is a bit stiff at the moment but it will break-in with time and use….don´t force it, don´t bend it…as this is a racer-style strap with perforated leather, this upper leather is weaker than normal due to the holes….if you bend it too much it will break!!! Overall they made a very nice strap with the fine red leather details to be seen through the holes, the deeper engraving on the clasp is a good upgrade….the factory only needs to get rid of the 2 holes in the clasp for the push-pins…the gen does not have these holes. Now to the dial; a wonderful dark-grey, anthracite color-base with silver-red subdials. On the tachy we see the BASE-print in red and white done over the checkered race-flag design for the first 10 seconds (racing fans here you go!). Nice effort on these details as the printing is not that easy….factory did great here! The subdials have silver outlines and the 12-hour subdial shows a recessed inner part, nice! And you need to look at the detail….my pic won´t show it too good, but there are 2 "SWISS MADE" prints on the watch, one is on the dial and a second one is on the Tachy-ring….and that’s absolutely correct for the gen…well spotted and done! The lume is quite good, at least better than the lume of any of my other ROO (not modded). Caseback…..well, it could have been a bit better here and there, the TOUR AUTO-engraving could be a bit bolder….and the factory used the prototype serial number…but who cares. Hey, they made the correct limitation number of XX/60 and you can get individual limitation numbers (but I am unsure if you can choose one…I think not). And one more thing I observed with my TA….the crown screws in like soft butter, it feels precise and sturdy…cool. NOW…I will only show some pics of my watch, I had the chance to strap the real deal on some 2 months ago when I was in Belgium, I was not allowed to take pics but I handled the watch for nearly a ½ hour and I got a very good impression of it. Further more I have a friend overseas that owns the Drivers Edition and he sent me a bunch of nice close-ups so I can compare (no, I will not post his pics). CONCLUSION: this ROO is the very best piece I had on my wrist for months now, it is soo damn close to the gen, the bezel makes it a unique ROO, the racing design with its color accents makes it a looker…not for everyone liking…but I love it! I know that my dealer and the factory had a good consultant in the making of the details with this watch, they had very good and close-up pics and they learned a lot about this piece and what to look at in detail…..the consultant, the dealer and the factory worked very well together…..hope the factory will request the help of the consultant for new ROO´s in the future…better do it right first time If you are on the fence for this piece……..go for it! If you want to join the ROO train with this…..jump on it! If you are looking for a new fancy ROO that is different to your other ROO´s…..this is it! If you are a racing fan, love nice and fast cars….this is a perfect companion for you! Hope my review and my pics will help the members here….cheers all. Theo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Theo- Wow! Thanks for the review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yannou Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Excellent..And I agree with U Theo...It's a keeper for me too. For the strap, I have bought an APBands with silver stich...Will see.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru1 Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Great review, thanks. I have ordered mine, will get the QC pics today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Oh my........there goes Christmas! No Gifts for anyone this year, Daddy has to get the new ROO ! Excellent review, Theo! Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverworn Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 theao got me again.. i neeeeed one of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1FAN Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Awesome review! MADRED... My Tour Auto is currently pending customs release... I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted November 20, 2010 Report Share Posted November 20, 2010 Ok, I guess it will go on my list now Thanks for the review Theo! I have to say I love this picture: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADRED7 Posted November 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2010 Maciek....I know you will like it...so much different Theo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosk Posted November 21, 2010 Report Share Posted November 21, 2010 thanks so much for the review...its going to the top of my list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolfire Posted November 21, 2010 Report Share Posted November 21, 2010 Never been a fan of AP ROOs, but this beauty has pushed me further to the edge, I must say. love the red accents all round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADRED7 Posted November 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Just 2 more pics in comparison, some members of my AP family....one pic is especially for my mate M! Theo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samurai Posted November 22, 2010 Report Share Posted November 22, 2010 Wow...this really does look very nice. Am soooo damn tempted to get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianGP Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 no blackthemes, theo? Amazing collection nonetheless! And by the way, I just ordered this.... My pocket hates me and I hate you for it! I'm getting that familiar antsy feeling when I bought my first rep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru1 Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 here are my QC pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 Just 2 more pics in comparison, some members of my AP family....one pic is especially for my mate M! Theo Thanks a lot for these pics T! FInally some pics showing Rhone Fusterie! Looks nice with those red accents! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 Now I have a real hard time deciding.... RG ROO RC, ROO TA 2010, another T3 or HBBKP Tourbillon.... Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1FAN Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 Now I have a real hard time deciding.... RG ROO RC, ROO TA 2010, another T3 or HBBKP Tourbillon.... Suggestions? I have my TA10 on it's way to Denver, but I can not say enough great things about the RG ROO RC... I have mine on a Horn back and it's an incredible looking watch. I think you need to own both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samurai Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Bloody amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianGP Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Hey Theo, would comment on the lume? Application and luminescence ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru1 Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Hey Theo, would comment on the lume? Application and luminescence ? this is waht he wrote The lume is quite good, at least better than the lume of any of my other ROO (not modded). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianGP Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Oops, should've read thoroughly! Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADRED7 Posted November 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Yes, I can only stress again....the lume is better than on any other of my ROO´s. After some days of wearing I can say, my lume is very good and lasts some hours Theo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADRED7 Posted November 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Now I have a real hard time deciding.... RG ROO RC, ROO TA 2010, another T3 or HBBKP Tourbillon.... Suggestions? Hey M. I was all about the KP Tourbillon but I decided against it, I am too afraid of the quality, if it fails I am not sure if my watchsmith can work on a Tourbillon. And 2nd reason....a sporty watch should not show a Tourbillon...mismatch me thinks. CAnnot say anything about RG RC....I hate gold Tour Auto 2010....you know my thoughts...best ROO quality wise at the moment. The T3 is tempting....but there will be a reason you sold yours....so thats reason enough to know you do not need it! What about the MASATO? Theo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sql_pl Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Made up my mind... Will post some qc pics soon I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now