15202 vs 15450 Comparison Pics + Which To Keep?

[SOLEX]

Hi All

I am currently looking for an everyday AP and give my gen a rest.

I did not know which to go for so thankfully was able to pick up both the XF 15202 v1 & ZF 15450. My wrist is about 6.3" so 41mm are out of the question.

I know many people with smaller wrists might be in a similar dilemma so I hope my review and photos can help sway buyers one way or the other. My notes and thoughts are below.

15202 XF v1- this seems like a very rare piece, from my knowledge the XF v1 is the 15202 to have. No pizza hand, great bracelet without the first link gap and best dial. Bonus being this one has properly spaced screws on the bezel.

Watch wears slightly bigger, but is obviously much thinner than 15450. Bracelet is flatter as well. My opinion is the 15202 has a tad less quality feel to it vs the 15450, but many have said same could be the case for gen as it is a more classic style with old school build.

ZF 15450 grey dial- after my research it appears both ZF and APSF are of great quality. I went with ZF as I feel the dials are better and it was the only one via M2's. This is a great watch for smaller wristed people. The problem I see is that I can't get a perfect fit with the bracelet but the watch does wear nicely and maybe a bit top heavy. The bracelet feels a bit more substantial and modern which i like but as mentioned I can't get a perfect fit.

Alas I can't keep both and I'm really torn on which to let loose. On one hand the XF 15202 is a rare bird and has an old school feel and the 15450 is a bit easier to wear and feels more modern.

What would you do?

Below are comparison photos for whoever needs them. Tried to show the different in case size, bracelet etc.












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[KGZ]

15202 without the shadow of a doubt. Class and sport at the same time. Can be worn with anything and sits perfectly on the wrist. Also IMO the proportions of the 15202 are much better than the 15450. The 15450 is a bit too thick for its size IMO. I got one and ended up giving it to my wife. But I have to admit that it looks sexy AF on her!

And I didn't even take into consideration that the one you have is highly sought after... If you add that to the equation, you'd be a fool to let go of that rare bird!

 

[Fatal error]

I would go with which one is more comfortable to wear as that can be an issue with AP. And which one you like more

 

[SerafinWatch]

I also have both (but XF v2) and would recommend to keep both. The price of a rep is the same price as a link of a gen AP.

Anyway, the XF is constructed better when you look at the case finishing, gaskets, etc. But the rotor is glued and the miyota date assembly can be a problem, its not easily replacable as some people might say. The ZF looks and feels more genuine. I dont wear my XF anymore, the 15450 is worn sometimes as it is on the smaller side even with my 6.5 wrist. I stick mostly to a 15500 APSF, which is miles better than both.

 

[Reaps]

I prefer the 15202. It stands out even amongst my massive collection because of how thin it is.

 

[gilrob]

The XF 15202 would be hard to replace and development of a new and improved 15202/16202 doesn't look likely for now. The XF is definitely a keeper, its demise is attributable to the worst rep watch raid to date.

 

[SOLEX]

I also have both (but XF v2) and would recommend to keep both. The price of a rep is the same price as a link of a gen AP.

Anyway, the XF is constructed better when you look at the case finishing, gaskets, etc. But the rotor is glued and the miyota date assembly can be a problem, its not easily replacable as some people might say. The ZF looks and feels more genuine. I dont wear my XF anymore, the 15450 is worn sometimes as it is on the smaller side even with my 6.5 wrist. I stick mostly to a 15500 APSF, which is miles better than both.

Thanks- The ZF sure is impressive, but take one link out it is too tight, put the link back in it is too loose. Really nice piece though. Leaning towards keeping the 15202 and see how things go. I can't keep both as I know one of them will not get worn.

That being said- I would LOVE, LOVE to get a 15500 and be happy, but there is no way it would fit. My wrist is 6.3" and I can only imagine it looks like a damn frisbee on my wrist. Curious how it looks on you if you do not mind sharing a pic

 

[haze3715]

I have the same dilemma!!! I ordered a ZF 15450 as I enjoy how a Sub or Daytona sit on the wrist (6.75", flat) - my initial reactions were :

- dial and case are a tad too small
- it is strangely too thick for its proportions. Measures at 9.8mm so it's certainly still thin, but I would agree with @KGZ, it's too thick for it's lack of wrist presence.
- The modernized case and bracelet doesn't have the same appeal as the Jumbo with its thinner, wider case.

Good point about the more modern bracelet and case on the 15450 - I didn't realize this at the time but the appeal of the thinner, wider bracelet and case is missing from the 15450. So... I've ordered a ZF 15202.

 

[68snoopy]

I think that the overall construction of 15450 feels more solid. The 15450 also has a better feel on my wrist (6.5") than the 15202. The 15202 wears very differently. You should pick the one that you feel most comfortable on your wrist. And to be honest, if you could afford a gen AP, I just don't see how you couldn't keep both as they are quite different.

 

[SOLEX]

I have the same dilemma!!! I ordered a ZF 15450 as I enjoy how a Sub or Daytona sit on the wrist (6.75", flat) - my initial reactions were :

- dial and case are a tad too small
- it is strangely too thick for its proportions. Measures at 9.8mm so it's certainly still thin, but I would agree with @KGZ, it's too thick for it's lack of wrist presence.
- The modernized case and bracelet doesn't have the same appeal as the Jumbo with its thinner, wider case.

Good point about the more modern bracelet and case on the 15450 - I didn't realize this at the time but the appeal of the thinner, wider bracelet and case is missing from the 15450. So... I've ordered a ZF 15202.

Thing is the 15450 seems too top heavy, but really nothing too serious it just swings around a bit more on the wrist than the 15202. That being said, ZF did a great job and it feels amazing. The 15202 is meant to be more of an old school timepiece, and I have seen reviews say that it is not too far off from how the gen feels (and also gen reviews claiming quality is not up to par with a 15400 or 15500 etc.)

So yes if you want the more modern feeling watch, go for a 15450, but if you need just a bit more of a substantial watch, the 15202 is the only 39mm you can get right now. Let us know how you like your ZF, I was going to go for one but the pizza hand was killing me and I could not wait to mod it. Luckily I found this XF V1, which supposedly is the best 15202 rep available. I have no way to confirm that but I hope your ZF is of good quality and it just needs that pizza hand to be a great rep.

I think that the overall construction of 15450 feels more solid. The 15450 also has a better feel on my wrist (6.5") than the 15202. The 15202 wears very differently. You should pick the one that you feel most comfortable on your wrist. And to be honest, if you could afford a gen AP, I just don't see how you couldn't keep both as they are quite different.

Definitely the 15450 seems more solid, and it just makes the decision harder. However I think it will be the 15450 on the chopping block just due to the scarcity of the XF 15202 and I will not wear both. Both are pretty comfortable, but as I mentioned the 15450 does not have a perfect fit. It is loose as is, take out that extra link and it is pretty tight. As for keeping both- I do not mind doing that, but honestly as mentioned I know I will never switch off. I just like having one steel and one gold (which is gen, and not worn daily but at least 2-3 times per week) If anything I would add something of a beater for the beach etc.

 

[Dr Fun Socks]

I prefer the 15202. It stands out even amongst my massive collection because of how thin it is.

Thin for the win. Only reason i wont sell my bvlgari octo finisimo despite never wearing it.

 

[grillbrill]

Thin for the win. Only reason i wont sell my bvlgari octo finisimo despite never wearing it.

Wow, cam you post a pic of it on your wrist?

 

[Dr Fun Socks]

Wow, cam you post a pic of it on your wrist?

I think its 7 or 8mm, far and away the thinnest rep ive seen

 

[munichman]

I had to make the same decision and came to the conclusion that the 15450 is too top heavy from the looks of it.
And since there were no 15202 to be had I bought a 16202 ZF V2 Blue Dial.
I am really happy with the look & feel of it, even though the bracelet is a tad to wide for my wrist.
I´m thinking of putting a thin piece of rubber foam on the backside of the case.
This I did with my Gen Rxs which never seem to fit quite right before I did this.

 

[SOLEX]

I had to make the same decision and came to the conclusion that the 15450 is too top heavy from the looks of it.
And since there were no 15202 to be had I bought a 16202 ZF V2 Blue Dial.
I am really happy with the look & feel of it, even though the bracelet is a tad to wide for my wrist.
I´m thinking of putting a thin piece of rubber foam on the backside of the case.
This I did with my Gen Rxs which never seem to fit quite right before I did this.

Thanks! The 15202 does fit nicely on me, but really want to see if I can pull off a 15500 at this point. From what I see the lug to lug is actually less on the 15500 but bracelet taper is wider on the 15500, and imho the thickness is not a big deal but I can see what you mean with the 15450 as it is small and thick which makes it look a bit off.