- 25/4/18
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lume; It’s brighter on the OMF.
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!
Water Testing: Both immediately started forming bubbles from either the bezel screws or the case back. Neither seems to be OTB water resistant.
Daylight Glamour Shots: Just for fun and to try to capture some of the dynamism of the dials/finishes. Enjoy!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lume; It’s brighter on the OMF.
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!
Water Testing: Both immediately started forming bubbles from either the bezel screws or the case back. Neither seems to be OTB water resistant.
Daylight Glamour Shots: Just for fun and to try to capture some of the dynamism of the dials/finishes. Enjoy!
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?