AP is behind Rolex, however JF is a super rep. Dial, hands, date wheel font all look great! People don’t wear AP in everyday life to notice the .1% that makes it a rep. Lol.
I agree with you that AP reps are behind Rolex reps in terms of accuracy of details. That cannot be helped, given how intricate the gen AP details are. I also agree that most people will not know whether it is a gen or rep in real life.
You are entitled to call the JF rep anything you wish, in the spectrum of super rep to garbage, you can take your pick as it is pretty subjective. But going by the below flaws:
1. Dial: printing isn't perfect, tapisseries are not perfectly replicated either. Markers are not finished as per gen. Close, yes, but no cigar.
2. Hands are definitely off in terms of center pinion, and quality of shine. No contest there
3. Movement is a Miyota 9015. Gen uses an AP 3120 caliber. The two are definitely leagues apart in terms of finish, decoration, complexity and exquisiteness. One look through the caseback of the rep and you can spot the relatively poor finish, the wrong position of the balance wheel and the utterly fake looking "jewels", as well as differences between the rep and gen movements. But yes, it is possible that both movement types can keep time equally well if maintained properly. The Miyota 9015 movement is a reliable movement in terms of timekeeping and has decent power reserve too.
4. Case thickness is a giveaway, in a side by side comparison. On the wrist, not so noticeable unless you study the case profile.
5. Bracelet is too stiff, and like what
Tigerdragon pointed out, the size of the end links is wrong. Bracelet edges have improved in terms of softness and have become more acceptable versus the previous versions.
6. Case finish is very close to, or identical with gen. I cannot quite tell them apart in a side by side combination.
7. Date font is close for the latest iteration of the JF rep, but differences still exist. Not 100%.
8. Crystal is as good as gen, or has imperceptible differences.
In view of the above, I will definitely consider it a good rep and nothing more. Going by your theory that very few people will call it out in real life, why not call it a gen then? But in RWI forum terms, the JF 15400 rep is definitely still a few leagues away from being anointed with super rep status, where the concerns of the community go. You are well within your right to consider it any level of rep you wish. I agree with you that in real life, nobody will know or care. But we are in this forum precisely to KNOW, and you need to balance the knowledge of the flaws, with the contention as a owner. I will say that you do this well and possess the right attitude in wearing your rep in real life. As long as you are happy with it, honestly what the world thinks should not matter.
