Michael de Silva (bsodmike)
mwdesilva.com

My Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15300ST

Over the years I've gone from a collection of Omega Speedmasters to a collection of Rolexes and then, since 2009, quite simply down to just one Rolex — my Steel and Rose Gold DateJust.

I've had a fair amount of time to reflect over my next watch purchase and there were many contenders. For a while, I debated on holding out for the Patek Philippe 5127R or the 5146R Annual Calendar — both, obviously in pink gold. However, I'm still quite young and have yet to reach 30 and therefore opted to leave the Pateks for later on in life.

I've been fond of Rolexes for many years, not only due to their rugged in-house movements and heritage going back at least half a decade (for most models), including their uncanny ability to hold their value over time and sometimes even appreciating slightly. However, it's always been how well they stand up to the rough and tumble of daily activities that make them great 'beater' wristwatches. From deep sea diving in the kitchen sink, to the pouring water in the shower, and the myriad anti-watch obstacles in the workplace — time, and time again, my Rolexes have been through it all. Being my current and oldest Rolex to date, the DateJust has now achieved character worthy of its three-years of service as born by its many scuffs and marks of gentle use. Such is life, we too grow and the scars of life only make us stronger.

Apart from Patek, I also debated much between Rolex and Audemars Piguet, immediately boiling the list of contenders down to the SS GMTIIC, SS Submariner with Cerachrome bezel, the venerable DSSD for its impressive over engineering, and the Royal Oak — both in steel and rose gold. I've visited Rolex boutiques at Marina Mall and Salhiya in Kuwait at least thrice, if not more, in the past trying them on to see if any would 'sing'. Sadly, I cannot say I felt that way this time around although the SS GMTIIC is a watch — in terms of complication, the specific Rolex cal. 3186 and its solution, design, and heritage — I am very fond of and will most certainly look to re-acquire in the not so distant future; it was the only one that felt 'right' if at all.

I've also visited the Audemars Piguet boutique in Salhiya twice in 2010 and in both occasions the Royal Oak in steel made a lasting impression. It truly sang and what a stunning piece of haute horlogerie it was! My next visit was on 3rd November 2011 when I got to try it on once more with the white dial

It wasn't long before I then finally picked up, what has been for quite a while, one of my "grail" pieces — although the one I picked up has the black dial instead:

This is my 29th birthday gift to me and an early Christmas present. I've also reviewed this watch, and will post more on this shortly with a lot more details as to 'why' it's one of my "grails". Here are a few more candid snaps taken with my Nexus One: