Mexico City is one of the watch capitals of the world. Regardless of the crime wave that has hit the country over the last 20 years, hardcore watch collectors trade pieces and buy/sell watches on a regular basis. More than eight years ago on one of my visits to Mexico City, I decided to call one of my favorite preowned watch dealers in the city and pay him a visit. I still remember like it was yesterday, when I purchased from him my very first Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo A-Series back in 1998. After a candid conversation about timepieces and while I was getting ready to leave his shop, he mentioned that he had a small surprise for me before I took off. As we walked down the busy streets of downtown Mexico City in his company, he escorted me into a historical building near the 'Zocalo' —Mexico City's city square.
After walking into the building, I was greeted by the most beautiful 'Talavera' tile floor I’ve seen in the city. The building still equipped with a very antique lift was a jewel in itself. Of course, I wouldn’t trust the elevator so we walked four flights up, and little did I know what he had in store for me that day.
As I approached one of the doors on the fourth floor of the building he said: "you are about to meet my favorite watchmaker in the city and you are about to see something your eyes won't believe". As we walked into a small studio no bigger than 18' x 10' I meet my friend's watchmaker. Shelves with all sorts of tools, a polishing machine, a small sink, and a workbench completed the space that looked like out of a movie. This was no atelier in Le Brassus or anywhere in Switzerland, this was a humble one-man show shop that barely looked like a watchmaker’s room. Sitting on top of his workbench, there was an assortment of disassembled timepieces and parts, but one, in particular, caught my attention.
As I approached his bench and shook the watchmaker's hand there it was, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ‘Panda’ ref. 26170TI.OO.1000TI.01 that had been completely disassembled sitting next to a Hublot that was in the process of being disassembled.
In my book, it was a sacrilege to see these two timepieces sharing the same space on a watchmaker’s bench. No disrespect for Hublot, but there are too many similarities, and who copied who?
As I started chatting with our friend's watchmaker, he started putting all the parts from the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore in a small tray and said:
"Your friend asked me to disassemble this watch as he had a good friend coming to take a look at it. I really didn't understand why he asked me to do so after I have already serviced the watch, but now I do. It’s an honor to have you in here.”
As the watchmaker organized all the parts with the exception of the clasp —that was being polished—, I impatiently waited to start snapping some pictures. As a side note, at this time I have not yet visited the AP manufacture in Le Brassus, therefore, the level of excitement that came with this experience was pretty high.
Not very often one is greeted by a good friend this way. Now, it's time to take a very close look at one of the most fascinating watches out there. Ladies and gentlemen just for your viewing pleasure may we present to you a disassembled Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ‘Panda’ ref. 26170TI.OO.1000TI.01 in titanium. As you will see in the pictures, the dial was still attached to the gorgeous Audemars Piguet calibre 3126/3840.
For those of you already thinking of replicating this photoshoot, please keep in mind that if you ever tamper with your watch while it's still under warranty, you will void any warranty from Audemars Piguet. Furthermore, if you are not a watchmaker, you can cause serious damage to the watch, and bringing it back to its original appearance and working condition won't be cheap.
As always, I only recommend the Audemars Piguet Service Centers to perform any work on their watches. Do not take any chances and think twice before opening that Royal Oak Offshore of yours that has been on your wrist since 2012.
I really hope you enjoyed this experience that could only take place in a city like Mexico City where Audemars Piguet is the watch of choice among the savviest and affluent watchlifestylers. As a reference, we ran into more than thirty APs in one week, and even on the flight back home, we added another three to the list. Long live AP amongst Mexican watch collectors.
For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
