The comments that come after mine won't be as nice. Why? Because there are two threads regarding this topic, both of which contain the information you seek and then some.
However, I feel that you should get at least some kind of answer.
So far no one has the ZF 15202 in hand yet, only QC photos. However, we can make a judgement based on the QC photos we've seen thus far + the track record ZF has with their 15400 and 15500 release. Both of which were highly praised.
The glaring issue with the ZF at the moment is the fat hand pinon. We'll need to wait and see until someone receives their watch in order to determine whether the hand pinon can be shaved, or whether it was done on purpose in order to hide a larger hole in the centre of the dial.
ZF flaws:
- Hand pinon
- Bezel screws (If you're very picky)
- Thickness (slightly thicker than the XF I believe)
XF flaws:
- Dial tappisserie
- Hand pinon (Not as bad as ZF but still fatter than gen)
- Mismatched lume
Flaws on both
- Movement (or lack of movement decoration)
- Dial colour
Personally, I think ZF is the better rep out of the box. I won't speak about which is closer to gen because the audience here on RWI seem to be split down the middle in regards to this. Hope this information helps you make a decision.
You have provided a sound breakdown and summary of both makes and I mostly agree with you. It is a good analysis and rather acute too.
However, there is a common misnomer used which I will like to correct.
The canon pinion/ hand pinion is actually the gear, usually attached with a pinion post/shaft where the minute hand goes on. While the pinion post diameter itself is large compared with gen for the ZF, I think what you are trying to say is that the hour hand base diameter is way too large, and this is the part which is commonly addressed by modders post-purchase. Very rarely is the pinion post itself shaved or trimmed, it is 99% of the times the hand base (sometimes hour hand base alone, sometimes both hand bases). This is one of the most common misnomers in the community. The pinion is not the one which look as large as a pizza plate. The hand base is. The pinion isn't the part being trimmed or shaved, the hand base diameter is.
Below is an illustration of the canon pinion (attached to the driving wheel) of an ETA movement.
Yes on the ZF, the pinion post diameter itself is too large vs gen. But this is not noticeable in real life as you will understand that it is very small, and surrounded by the hand base, which is a lot more visible and the pizza plate guys are talking about. For some reasons, many guys like to use the word "pinion" when referring to the hand base itself. The eyesore is mainly the large diameter of the hand base as opposed to the pinion shaft diameter itself (which is also incorrect, but less visible for this model). The pinion for the ZF 15202 can be illustrated to be like a muffin sitting in the center of a pizza plate. If you want the entire assembly to look smaller, you trim the pizza plate diameter, and not the muffin. :hehehe:
