Raw has no (technically one) wash. You start with a blank slate. Most people should start here, because it is a low risk move. Certain rinses and washes look great, but most are pretty bad.
Raw let's you impart your own wear and tear on your denim, instead of paying someone else to. My jeans started like this:
And now look like this:
I've had them for 1.5-2 years and wore them probably 4-5 times/week for a lot of that. Hand-washed maybe 2-3 times. I'll patch the holes and keep wearing them. It's fun to see the evolution over time. It's nice to know they are totally unique.
APC has a "
butler program" and will buy back your worn-out APCs and sell them for a premium.