A short review of the APSF 15500 A4302 clone caliber

[Rman]

Thanks for the detailed info. I've got blue coming and I'll get a black on order asap.

 

[X24222]

If you want “accurate to gen”, try black or blue IMHO. Forget the other two please.

Hey Legend - amazing post and thanks for clarifying gen parts for service question — here’s an open ended question since you’re probably one of very very few in the world who know the gen and rep worlds as well…..

If the gen AP are 10/10, and really good super clone reps can get upwards of 9/10 but for 2-5% of the retail price (and 1-2% gray market prices), the 20-50x price premium for that extra 1/10 understandably isn’t worth it for a lot of people even if your budgets allow gen buying (rationally speaking). What is it that draws you to rep world? Your contributions are incredible and we all benefit so much from it…truly a gift. Just want to understand your motivations and selflessness to this community

 

[legend]

Hey Legend - amazing post and thanks for clarifying gen parts for service question — here’s an open ended question since you’re probably one of very very few in the world who know the gen and rep worlds as well…..

If the gen AP are 10/10, and really good super clone reps can get upwards of 9/10 but for 2-5% of the retail price (and 1-2% gray market prices), the 20-50x price premium for that extra 1/10 understandably isn’t worth it for a lot of people even if your budgets allow gen buying (rationally speaking). What is it that draws you to rep world? Your contributions are incredible and we all benefit so much from it…truly a gift. Just want to understand your motivations and selflessness to this community

It’s a hobby for me and I like tinkering with replica watches. It’s true that I don’t wear them but I remain facinated by replica watches and just for kicks I am building myself a custom 15500 based on the APSF + ZF dial just to see how close I can get it to my gens in terms of appearance and tactile feel. I will likely sell it later on.
I’m not in for altruism and neither is it selfless, as noble as you made it sound. I enjoy the hobby and I hope to let members who are into AP reps to understand how to enjoy them without worrying too much and to correct the fallacies of how the gen should or should not be like.

Thank you though for thinking so well of me. I appreciate it though I have to disagree with the part about me being selfless and all. I do want to share my knowledge and experience with the gens in the way which is meaningful and understandable by the rep owners so they can enjoy their watches to the maximum degree and not feel like they lack in any way. I also hope that the correct knowledge can be passed on to others so that the rest can in turn benefit in the same way.

 

[Picasso74]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Al…it is a simply well done rewiew…clear and satisfying.
now i have to buy it

 

[ApIcedOutt]

As someone who held both this rep and gen.
How far this $500 rep from gen? I mean what will be an “instant tell” or is there any mods you would recommend.

 

[g00n]

It’s a hobby for me and I like tinkering with replica watches. It’s true that I don’t wear them but I remain facinated by replica watches and just for kicks I am building myself a custom 15500 based on the APSF + ZF dial just to see how close I can get it to my gens in terms of appearance and tactile feel. I will likely sell it later on.
I’m not in for altruism and neither is it selfless, as noble as you made it sound. I enjoy the hobby and I hope to let members who are into AP reps to understand how to enjoy them without worrying too much and to correct the fallacies of how the gen should or should not be like.

Thank you though for thinking so well of me. I appreciate it though I have to disagree with the part about me being selfless and all. I do want to share my knowledge and experience with the gens in the way which is meaningful and understandable by the rep owners so they can enjoy their watches to the maximum degree and not feel like they lack in any way. I also hope that the correct knowledge can be passed on to others so that the rest can in turn benefit in the same way.

FYI a watch from you is on my rep watch bucket list…..

 

[AlphaProt]

accurate to gen

try black or blue

now I can't sleep until @legend tells me if I should go for black OR blue.

 

[g00n]

now I can't sleep until @legend tells me if I should go for black OR blue.

 

[josephag94]

What’s your opinion on the color of the grey dial in terms of “gen-ness”? I know the black is pretty “accurate” in terms of gen but how about grey

 

[g00n]

What’s your opinion on the color of the grey dial in terms of “gen-ness”? I know the black is pretty “accurate” in terms of gen but how about grey

Hey mate, my above post wasn’t to suggest black is the most accurate colour but more my own personal preference

 

[Nono92]

Trust me on this.

This expression reminds me of a well-known french movie, Le viager (1972)

 

[dogwood]

Beautiful review @legend thank you for this! I do have a question about the automatic rotor though... I recently serviced my ZF AP 15400, and noticed that the automatic rotor on the clone 3120 movement had a weight that was peened into place on the underside of the rotor:



I was wondering if the APSF clone 4302 caliber is using the same trick? I can't really see the rotor well enough in your initial review pic. But I'd be curious to see if APSF was able get away without using an additional weight.

 

[Dantona1984]

I cannot speak of other brands but this specific model looks (at least so far) to be on par with the Noob 4130 Daytona as the best reps out there. Rather than constantly looking for minor flaws we should be delighted that these watches are available.

 

[purplehaze89]

The dials are nothing like the gen (any color) but they are nice on their own. It’s sufficient for you for real life wear.
For me, the wearers are always the first tell (or suggestion that the watch is gen) for APs so don’t worry about the watch too much and just enjoy it on your wrist. I doubt anyone will call your watch out based on any detail on the watch per se. Trust me on this.

Hey Legend - is the blue dial matte or does it achieve some level of sunburst like the 'v3 ZF dials'? Strictly discussing sunburst vs. matte and not necessarily about the gen-ness.

Thanks much

 

[dashindark]

1 question.

Beautiful review @legend thank you for this! I do have a question about the automatic rotor though... I recently serviced my ZF AP 15400, and noticed that the automatic rotor on the clone 3120 movement had a weight that was peened into place on the underside of the rotor:



I was wondering if the APSF clone 4302 caliber is using the same trick? I can't really see the rotor well enough in your initial review pic. But I'd be curious to see if APSF was able get away without using an additional weight.

yes 4302 has a similar weight attached to its rotor. Did you try to somewhat refine the clone 3120 during service?

 

[dogwood]

1 question.

yes 4302 has a similar weight attached to its rotor. Did you try to somewhat refine the clone 3120 during service?

I didn't change anything in the movement other than cleaning, lubricating, and regulating it. It seems like a relatively good movement (other than the slow date change). But, the ZF build quality was a little disappointing though. The dial isn't attached with dial feet, even though the movement has holes and set screws. Also, ZF used an adhesive ring to keep the dial in place against the case rather than using case clamps, again, even though the movement has tapped holes for case clamps.

 

[legend]

Hey Legend - is the blue dial matte or does it achieve some level of sunburst like the 'v3 ZF dials'? Strictly discussing sunburst vs. matte and not necessarily about the gen-ness.

Thanks much

Simply put, the ZF blue dial is better in terms of sunburst and finish.

 

[legend]

now I can't sleep until @legend tells me if I should go for black OR blue.

between the two bro, definitely black.

 

[jimbo]

Is a dial transfer from ZF to APSF relatively easy Legend?

 

[legend]

Is a dial transfer from ZF to APSF relatively easy Legend?

Yes it is, but the dial feet will need to be removed. Dial dots can be used to secure the dial.