26240 vs. 26331 – Surprising Wearability Observations

[SOLEX]

Thanks for the photos- you can really see the difference is the case thickness. End of the day, I do not know if you would feel it based on the bracelet being thinner.... the only way to know is to try it on!!

 

[aHero]

 

[aHero]

 

[SOLEX]

Thanks again for the awesome photos @aHero

They are both awesome pieces.... I am trying out another 26240 but I think I will regret it lol.... in that case I am waiting on QC from my TD on a 26331!

 

[Reaps]

Thanks again for the awesome photos @aHero

They are both awesome pieces.... I am trying out another 26240 but I think I will regret it lol.... in that case I am waiting on QC from my TD on a 26331!

Why not both bro

 

[aHero]

The 26331 bracelets are much sharper than the 26240.

 

[aHero]

I have a black and a white 26240 coming in. Despite the thickness, I find the wearing experience of the 240 better. From the factory, the bracelet is smoother (even though the pins are 1000x easier to remove on the 331).

But I still prefer the contrasting dials of the 331.

 

[SOLEX]

I have a black and a white 26240 coming in. Despite the thickness, I find the wearing experience of the 240 better. From the factory, the bracelet is smoother (even though the pins are 1000x easier to remove on the 331).

But I still prefer the contrasting dials of the 331.

You really do love it! Curious if you went for any gold models? Might be a nice one on strap.

Still agree with you though, the dials are a bit more interesting on the 26331, and on the 240 the build quality is much better... although APW did a pretty good job too but APSF is the top rep to have

 

[aHero]

Hoping a factory comes out with some fantasy replacement dials for the 240.

No gold. Fun to look at but just not my thing.

 

[aHero]

 

[SOLEX]

Money shot. What a piece.

 

[Db9s]

just a few facts:

- the 15510 and 26240, as well as the 26238 offshore all have thinner bracelets than the 15400, 15500 and 26331. This was done by AP to improve wearability and reduce bulk on their models which are mounted on bracelet (and perhaps to save cost)

- in reality the 26240 does not actually have a clone movement either in terms of movement parts. Only functions are cloned (timekeeping, chrono, flyback, date). It was a label liberally sprinkled on the movement used in the rep 26240. Most of the parts used in the gen won’t be able to fit the rep.

- like the 15510 vs the 15500, the 26240 is designed to wear smaller vs the 26331. Though both are 41mm, the dial on the 26240 is actually smaller, almost imperceptibly but enough to send the message that it wears and weighs more compact.

Thank you for the nice comparison between the 26240 and 26331. I don’t think this was done yet and it is a rather useful comparison for someone wanting to buy the 26240.

I’m just shocked that they didn’t clone the movement but the functions! Isn’t that a lot harder? Can you explain the logic? (Or was it like, we tried cloning, got far enough … so let’s cut corners with the parts ?)

Can you explain the downsides of the “clone” movement since they don’t interchange parts and cut corners?

I think your views are important to repost this on the 26240 thread.

 

[SOLEX]

I’m just shocked that they didn’t clone the movement but the functions! Isn’t that a lot harder? Can you explain the logic? (Or was it like, we tried cloning, got far enough … so let’s cut corners with the parts ?)

Can you explain the downsides of the “clone” movement since they don’t interchange parts and cut corners?

I think your views are important to repost this on the 26240 thread.

Its a much lower price point than the 26240, because that watch has an amazing clone movement. One factory got smart and said why wait for all this R&D while they have a suitable movement readily available, just mod it to accept a DW and since it is a closed caseback watch, nobody will really give them any grief.

IMHO rather have that, than NO option at all. Other factories should take note of what APW did, even VSF is doing it by releasing a Sub "lite" with 2824 movement.

 

[aHero]

Its a much lower price point than the 26240, because that watch has an amazing clone movement. One factory got smart and said why wait for all this R&D while they have a suitable movement readily available, just mod it to accept a DW and since it is a closed caseback watch, nobody will really give them any grief.

IMHO rather have that, than NO option at all. Other factories should take note of what APW did, even VSF is doing it by releasing a Sub "lite" with 2824 movement.

He’s asking why the 26240 doesn’t have a true clone movement but only “clone” functions.

 

[Reaps]

I think the 26240 shows the refinement that AP put into the watch past just the thickness. The bracelet changes and such are genius to balance it out imho.

 

[SOLEX]

He’s asking why the 26240 doesn’t have a true clone movement but only “clone” functions.

In that case, still a flyback at this price point is pretty great. Not sure why its not an exact clone, but sometimes we take what we can get

 

[legend]

I’m just shocked that they didn’t clone the movement but the functions! Isn’t that a lot harder? Can you explain the logic? (Or was it like, we tried cloning, got far enough … so let’s cut corners with the parts ?)

Can you explain the downsides of the “clone” movement since they don’t interchange parts and cut corners?

I think your views are important to repost this on the 26240 thread.

I cannot explain the logic but what I do know is that >95% of the parts between the gen and rep movements aren't interchangeable. Cost is likely a significant factor yes.
But hey, remember always that the rep factories also didn't clone the price of the watch or movement. I think it is good enough that the functions, including the flyback function, are cloned at this price level.

The only true 1:1 clone will need to include the price as well.

 

[Reaps]

I cannot explain the logic but what I do know is that >95% of the parts between the gen and rep movements aren't interchangeable. Cost is likely a significant factor yes.
But hey, remember always that the rep factories also didn't clone the price of the watch or movement. I think it is good enough that the functions, including the flyback function, are cloned at this price level.

The only true 1:1 clone will need to include the price as well.

Maybe I also have a theory

Rolex 4130, 3235, 3135, etc, these true clones are easier to copy because rolex is industrially mass produced, they make it simpler architectually, so it's much more feasible for rep factories to copy the design and produce them since the bar (industrially speaking) is lower. A million Rolexes are made a year, they cannot be super niche high end complicated movements otherwise making volume of these mkvements is very hard.

Whereas a lower volume, boutique 4401 movement that maybe only a few hundred/thousand (idk how many APs made a year) allows AP to make the movement more complex and niche and expensive, making it harder to make a true clone within budget!

 

[Rx4Time]

So it's a similar situation to the Panerai p900/p9000 super clones from VSF? The functions and aesthetics are copied well enough, but the actual parts are mostly not interchangeable. I've looked around and probably missed it, but has anyone done an actual teardown review of the movement yet? I have a blue dial inbound and I'm just curious.

 

[Reaps]

So it's a similar situation to the Panerai p900/p9000 super clones from VSF? The functions and aesthetics are copied well enough, but the actual parts are mostly not interchangeable. I've looked around and probably missed it, but has anyone done an actual teardown review of the movement yet? I have a blue dial inbound and I'm just curious.

Think 324 from 3KF most akin - a homage clone, same functions and parts are the same ish shape and design but not interchangable