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AP15400 Comparative Review - OMF v JF

hanski

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Having considered buying a JF v5 for some time now, it made sense to get both – because why not?
Sadly as much as I wish I owned a genuine 15400 to compare these two with, I still haven’t found a yacht full of cash in my Christmas stocking. So, for now, you’ll have to accept a comparative review between the OMF and JF v5. You’ll have to reference your own gen or gen-JF comparisons. Also, the JF is a little used, a little scratched, and a little dirty. I’m not really taking that into account in the review – but pardon the dust.
So let’s get right down to it (OMF on the left(top), JF on the right (bottom)):
General Front View: I will note the blue on the OMF dial is darker, bolder, and rich while JF is kind of faded.
AP15400.jpg


Side Profile: I measured and found the following measurement details – and they’re not what I expected…
OM is 11.0mm overall, 10.45mm metal-to-metal, 4.6mm mid-case, and 2.35mm case back.
JF is 11.0mm overall, 10.4mm metal-to-metal, 4.5mm mid-case, and 2.45mm case back.

AP154002.jpg


Case Details Close View: You can see the bezel screws sit flush on the OMF and are recessed on JF. Slightly different lug profiles with JF being a little more slender. You’ll also note the profile of the bezel and case backs, OMF slopes back more gradually. Note on the front this results in slightly less brushed area.
AP154003.jpg


AP154004.jpg


AP154005.jpg


Crown: JF crown seems a bit more crisp along with the logo. But the interior finish of the logo is more refined on OMF. The screw down action on the JF is smooth while the OMF is a little crunchy.
AP154006.jpg


AP154007.jpg


Bracelet: The bracelets are very similar in construction with two notable differences, the end link bars & screws and the logos. The OMF has much cleaner, more refined logos, particularly on the interior portion of the clasp. The exterior “AP” is thinner, probably closer to gen, on the JF but not quite a well finished. I don’t know how a gen bracelets connects to the lugs – can’t really say what is the more true construction.
AP1540010.jpg


AP1540011.jpg


AP1540012.jpg


AP154008.jpg


AP154009.jpg


Dial: Like I said, the OMF dial is a bit more saturated and has much more action/play/reflectivity. It’s a delight to look at this dial. The JF, it’s good, but a little lackluster. Question of closer to gen – I would venture a guess to say OMF but again it’s hard to judge that from internet pictures.
AP1540013.jpg


AP1540014.jpg


Dial Details: The AP logo looks a little beefier on the OMF. The AUDEMARS PIGUET text, to my eye, looks a bit better on the JF. I think if the OMF had been an increment bolder it would have been better. Again, the JF AUTOMATIC is better. But OMF does a better job with the SWISS MADE. The hands and sticks are very similar in size but the lume wells are larger on the OMF – a bit too large. JF does a better job. The minute track is much nicer on the OMF, legible, crisp, and well applied. And the dial texture on the OMF is very good – refined, crisp, and dynamic.
AP1540015.jpg


AP1540016.jpg


AP1540017.jpg


AP1540018.jpg


Case Back and Details: I think OMF does a superior job with the text and finishing of the case back. Might be a touch bold but the finish is more close to gen, IMO. I also like the case finish a bit better on the mid-case.
AP1540019.jpg


AP1540020.jpg


AP1540021.jpg


AP1540022.jpg


AP1540030.jpg


AP1540031.jpg


AP1540032.jpg


Movement and Engravings: Both OMF and JF offer the same, pretend, decorated movement with a bunch of fake jewels and fake wheels. They both function identically in the case (time setting, time keeping, date flip, winding, etc). But it comes down to the decoration and engravings. JF does a much better job.

AP1540023.jpg


AP1540024.jpg


AP1540025.jpg


AP1540026.jpg


AP1540027.jpg


AP1540028.jpg


AP1540029.jpg


Lume; It’s brighter on the OMF.

AP1540033.jpg


Date Window Close Up: Here are a handful of various dates for comparison. I didn’t take the time to analyze all the dates – do some work yourself!

AP1540034.jpg


Water Testing: Both immediately started forming bubbles from either the bezel screws or the case back. Neither seems to be OTB water resistant.

AP1540035.jpg


Daylight Glamour Shots: Just for fun and to try to capture some of the dynamism of the dials/finishes. Enjoy!

AP1540036.jpg


AP1540037.jpg


AP1540038.jpg


AP1540039.jpg


AP1540040.jpg


AP1540041.jpg


Final thoughts:
After inspecting these so closely I have to say I’m inclined to experiment with mixing and matching, take the best of each and see if it makes something better – or at least better in my eyes. It’s hard to call one a hands down winner as both have inconsistencies and disappointments. So, sorry, but I can’t wrap this up with a firm recommendation – it’s up to you in the end – what can you live with and what do you like?
 

gilrob

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Excellent unbiased comparative review. Congrats OP for your organizational and writing skills. I wish all reviews were written in this professional manner.
 

hanski

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Glaude or another moderator - I spelled “Comparative” wrong in the thread title. Can you edit to the correct spelling? It’s super embarrassing.
 

N0tail_

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Thanks for putting the time into making this review. Great unbiased review :yes:
 

legend

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Wonderful, detailed and informative review thank you OP! One of the best I’ve read in a long while.

@atozzotas
The OMF dial emulates the 2018/2019 J/K series dial (though not 100%) and the JF dial emulates the 2015-2017 H/I dial colors (at least 2-3 different shades in the gen). Both are correct in their own ways.







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

hanski

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Thanks guys!
I decided to dig into the OMF a little further because of no other reason than I was curious.

03473737-F492-45-DB-994-F-9-EB7-A4417567.jpg



05-F0-E1-EE-8167-4-D93-B92-A-76385-D8-CFF05.jpg



70-FA28-BE-A951-46-F9-8091-5-E90-BAF98-C6-A.jpg



79925174-5-B15-4-E45-B7-B7-A7-E45427-D0-EA.jpg



9-F150-CCD-E19-C-4423-84-E7-D33-A3-B475-EA9.jpg



A3-AC1-FCD-78-D3-4021-A7-CB-DBCBE08-DE2-B8.jpg



CE019566-C59-F-4-FE9-A42-D-7-CA2-B3314-BAF.jpg



I recall there was some curiosity about decorations vs. the actual movement. Here you can see the oscillating weight has a decorative cover plate hiding the actual screws. And the whole movement is covered by a decorative bridge with two false wheels, a number of false jewels, and false balance bridge, cap jewel, and regulating arms.
 

centrum

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Thanks for a nice photo review. I am so thankful that I am not a fan of AP. Man those engravings on the OMF movement are so shoddy. I thought the Chinese would've done a better job at this price in 2019!
 

csthe

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As I wrote on the other side of the road, wonderful review mate, thank you!
 

legend

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Thanks guys!
I decided to dig into the OMF a little further because of no other reason than I was curious.


I recall there was some curiosity about decorations vs. the actual movement. Here you can see the oscillating weight has a decorative cover plate hiding the actual screws. And the whole movement is covered by a decorative bridge with two false wheels, a number of false jewels, and false balance bridge, cap jewel, and regulating arms.

Thank you for all the detailed pics. :)
Also, the gen rotor is 22k yellow gold and the rep one is plated rose gold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Revolper

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Best review I’ve read in a long time. Thank you so much OP!
 

gigi77

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I think that if you edit your post with legend’s info re the dial color, this should be sticky! Thanks OP.
 
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btxc

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Thanks for the detailed write up! IMO the JF dial captures the tone of the gen more.. the blue on the OM pops out a bit much compared to the chameleon blue on the gen
 

dullidulli

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Excellent comparison, very informative. Thanks OP for your time and efforts. Very helpful indeed.
 

Tompa

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Wow good jobb mate!


Skickat från min iPhone med Tapatalk
 

iwantaprettywatch

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Great write up! Thank you for the well written post. At this point, is it really a fair statement to look at JF V5 as the go-to 15400? Personally, it seems like both are equally "well repped" and the preference comes down to the shade of blue we prefer.
 

BIONONE

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That is exactly what this forum needs like the gentlemen above me already pointed out.

Valuable!
 

PaneraiCC

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I got the JF v5 and not pleased with the dial. It is way too flat !!!
I think i will buy the OMF next, their dial looks closer to gen.