APSF and ZF Royal Oak 15500 w 4302 clone caliber

[legend]

My ZF 15500 stopped working.. it no longer winds and so doesnt tick unless I manual wind and give a few shakes. I did notice a loose piece behind the glass case back. Been wearing it anyway for about a week now but the rotor is rather loud and I would love to have it fixed. Anyone know what the issue might be (if this is a common issue), and roughly how much it should cost to fix? Say it needs a full service how much should that run ?

Just a couple of points:

1. Nobody would be able to accurately diagnose what is wrong with your watch from the description. It is like explaining your symptoms to a doctor over a video call without a physical examination. Guesses can be made but they will always remain guesses until a proper assessment and diagnosis can be made.

2. A full service may or may not fix the issue. Owners need to understand that a movement service is not a panacea to every single watch movement issue known to mankind. A watch service is a maintenance routine and it cleans up and provides proper lubrication to a movement. Regulation is also commonly done after the service. This will not fix broken parts, or parts which are inherently bent, misshappened, severely misaligned, or missing. It can fix issues due to accumulated dirt or seizure. But you need to be aware it is not an automatic "cure-all" for everything.

 

[newrepper]

Just a couple of points:

1. Nobody would be able to accurately diagnose what is wrong with your watch from the description. It is like explaining your symptoms to a doctor over a video call without a physical examination. Guesses can be made but they will always remain guesses until a proper assessment and diagnosis can be made.

2. A full service may or may not fix the issue. Owners need to understand that a movement service is not a panacea to every single watch movement issue known to mankind. A watch service is a maintenance routine and it cleans up and provides proper lubrication to a movement. Regulation is also commonly done after the service. This will not fix broken parts, or parts which are inherently bent, misshappened, severely misaligned, or missing. It can fix issues due to accumulated dirt or seizure. But you need to be aware it is not an automatic "cure-all" for everything.

Thanks Legend, appreciate the response.

 

[UkBionic]

Interesting thread thanks for all the contributions everyone. I am looking into the white dials myself - simply as I do not own any white dials (can you call a panda a white dial?!) - thinking of getting the clean white rubber with deployant clasp too for some versatility. I don't care too much about closeness to gen to a degree - so long as it looks good on my wrist. No one in my social spheres would really care about watches - nor would I have any shame in admitting it is a rep. My only hesitations are the clone movements and how serviceable repairable if they were to break in the future. Then again sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and take a punt on it. Just don't want my rep collection to be too clone heavy!

 

[Cheesegrater]

Interesting thread thanks for all the contributions everyone. I am looking into the white dials myself - simply as I do not own any white dials (can you call a panda a white dial?!) - thinking of getting the clean white rubber with deployant clasp too for some versatility. I don't care too much about closeness to gen to a degree - so long as it looks good on my wrist. No one in my social spheres would really care about watches - nor would I have any shame in admitting it is a rep. My only hesitations are the clone movements and how serviceable repairable if they were to break in the future. Then again sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and take a punt on it. Just don't want my rep collection to be too clone heavy!

Hmm, I actually have the white / silver dial from ZF and frankly I'm just not a big fan. To me it's really off to gen and I'm thinking of just passing it to another member here .

 

[letti001]

I received the watch after approving the QC photos and specs

 

[letti001]

Correct on all accounts. The ZF version was not working correctly but looked good.
I was posting for a little help.
Do I ask for continued search for a ZF V3 that works?
Do I accept a APSF that works.

I do not mind waiting. No hurry for delivery.

Yes, it was the function. The TD checked to make sure there were no issues and fo rthat I am very grateful. We can only see the watch in a QC photo.
It may have been a bad batch from ZF.
Of course, it may have been something below board, but I think we have faith in the TDs.
Plus, if making a purchase via this process, one needs to be prepared for less than expected outcome.
That is part of the sidebar.

 

[legend]

Yes, it was the function. The TD checked to make sure there were no issues and fo rthat I am very grateful. We can only see the watch in a QC photo.
It may have been a bad batch from ZF.
Of course, it may have been something below board, but I think we have faith in the TDs.
Plus, if making a purchase via this process, one needs to be prepared for less than expected outcome.
That is part of the sidebar.

When you said it doesn’t work, what exactly is wrong?

 

[letti001]

When you said it doesn’t work, what exactly is wrong?

Sorry for the confusion.
The watch that my TD first procured from ZF Factory has issues with the calendar on one wathc and then a problem with the movement on the other. I cannot recall the details. But the TD felt the watches, while looking good, were not at a level of function to send.
Therefore the watch came from ASPF Factory.
This is the one I just showed in a the most recent post.
It is working very well looks quite good.

This is a quote from the TD in one of the emails :

"sorry, this replacement still can't send for u. sometimes the datewheel will get stuck.

the first one, the keyless don't work well."

 

[legend]

The datewheel getting stuck on some days is a known problem for the clone 4302. APSF and ZF uses the same movement produced by the same factory so it doesn't matter. The datewheel is sometimes too thick and needs to be trimmed for the date change to be smooth thats all.

 

[letti001]

The datewheel getting stuck on some days is a known problem for the clone 4302. APSF and ZF uses the same movement produced by the same factory so it doesn't matter. The datewheel is sometimes too thick and needs to be trimmed for the date change to be smooth thats all.

I think your input is good to know if you have one of the watches already.
I was buying a brand new one and the TD kept looking for one that did not have anissue.

 

[legend]

I think your input is good to know if you have one of the watches already.
I was buying a brand new one and the TD kept looking for one that did not have anissue.

My advice is to just get the movement serviced and refined if you’re serious about the watch. That datewheel issue is an annoyance but nothing major.

 

[letti001]

My advice is to just get the movement serviced and refined if you’re serious about the watch. That datewheel issue is an annoyance but nothing major.

The watch I have does not have any issue.
I was fortunate that the one sent to me is working well.
But if something happens I will take heed to your advice.

 

[legend]

The clone 4302 movement is fairly reliable but I will recommend proper maintenance. Some work fine out of the box, some arrive DOA, and some develop issues down the road. I have encountered all those scenarios, but the issues are nothing that a service and proper oiling couldn't take care of.

 

[Paolo1966]

I got few days ago my first AP and I’m starting to fall in love for it
The rep black dial is a good option… but… the black gen dial is another story.. is incredible.
I never read the AP section and I lost a beautiful section of this forum.. thank you very much @legend for the passion that you are transferring here.

 

[letti001]

I got few days ago my first AP and I’m starting to fall in love for it
The rep black dial is a good option… but… the black gen dial is another story.. is incredible.
I never read the AP section and I lost a beautiful section of this forum.. thank you very much @legend for the passion that you are transferring here.

I really like the simplicity of the design yet touch of elegance. Suits my taste.
The same goes for me.; the watch is so nice.

 

[vodamerc]

Got my ZF 4 days ago and after wearing every day its just run out of power reserve while on my wrist. Didn't notice for about 3 hours. Obviously the self wind isn't working.. Anyone else had a similar problem with these movements? Rotor is very noisy too, seems to free spin a lot more than the Rolex reps I'm used to.

 

[gilrob]

Got my ZF 4 days ago and after wearing every day its just run out of power reserve while on my wrist. Didn't notice for about 3 hours. Obviously the self wind isn't working.. Anyone else had a similar problem with these movements? Rotor is very noisy too, seems to free spin a lot more than the Rolex reps I'm used to.

Seems like there are problems with this movement, just read some of the other posts in this thread.

 

[UkBionic]

The logo is loose for me. Are there any fixes? Looks like there is a little play where it meets the bracelet. Could do with a shim. I've seen a lot of comments of people with this, seems like it's common for the model. Unsure whether to keep it really. I got the white model and it looks a beaut but for my first AP the fit isn't too great on my wrist (no microadjust was always going to be a risk. I seem to be in-between sizes)

 

[Dienekes]

Got my ZF 4 days ago and after wearing every day its just run out of power reserve while on my wrist. Didn't notice for about 3 hours. Obviously the self wind isn't working.. Anyone else had a similar problem with these movements? Rotor is very noisy too, seems to free spin a lot more than the Rolex reps I'm used to.

Yep, unfortunately... I own two ZF's 15500 v3s. Will have to get both serviced. One doesn't work properly OOTB (sports few issues like loose cannon pinion, poor power reserve, sticky rotor, un-pushable crown after hand wind), the second one does (tells time), but the rotor is loud and doesn't do much in terms of winding up the watch to the level of keeping the same performance on a daily basis.

Tad out of topic, but sort of a PSA: One needs to check case back in ZF's 15500 right after receiving one. I bought two and in both watches case back wasn't screwed all the way down (up ) to the point I could see, looking from the side, screws and light on the other side of the watch. Terrible QC at the factory, rep or not. Easy fix, but still.

 

[UkBionic]

Yep, unfortunately... I own two ZF's 15500 v3s. Will have to get both serviced. One doesn't work properly OOTB (sports few issues like loose cannon pinion, poor power reserve, sticky rotor, un-pushable crown after hand wind), the second one does (tells time), but the rotor is loud and doesn't do much in terms of winding up the watch to the level of keeping the same performance on a daily basis.

Tad out of topic, but sort of a PSA: One needs to check case back in ZF's 15500 right after receiving one. I bought two and in both watches case back wasn't screwed all the way down (up ) to the point I could see, looking from the side, screws and light on the other side of the watch. Terrible QC at the factory, rep or not. Easy fix, but still.

Suspect the weight of the rotor is insufficient, along with poor lubrication/too much friction. Got mine, love the watch but yes the rotor always looks stuck. Compared to other watches whose rotor just wants to whiz round and round!