APSF and ZF Royal Oak 15500 w 4302 clone caliber

[raytron]

It will be resolved no doubt. And of course one should be thankful that people keep working and improving.

One thing I don’t agree is that you say we should not compare them to gens and fashion watches. I mean, that’s what everyone here does and that’s what the rep game is all about: comparing it and getting as close to the gen as possible.

After all I am result driven. It is a watch that should also serve its purpose. Cushioning it up by putting it in the rep category is just an excuse for not delivering the best result possible. Be honest to yourself.

And the next evolution of rep-smiths will be not just being focused on perfect looks but also on reliability. That’s the next step in the game - getting the perfect quality in both look and reliability.

We will see. The rep makers would need our support to push the barriers even further. Comparisons to everything there is makes them improve. No room for excuses

 

[legend]

It will be resolved no doubt. And of course one should be thankful that people keep working and improving.

One thing I don’t agree is that you say we should not compare them to gens and fashion watches. I mean, that’s what everyone here does and that’s what the rep game is all about: comparing it and getting as close to the gen as possible.

After all I am result driven. It is a watch that should also serve its purpose. Cushioning it up by putting it in the rep category is just an excuse for not delivering the best result possible. Be honest to yourself.

And the next evolution of rep-smiths will be not just being focused on perfect looks but also on reliability. That’s the next step in the game - getting the perfect quality in both look and reliability.

We will see. The rep makers would need our support to push the barriers even further. Comparisons to everything there is makes them improve. No room for excuses

A replica watch should be compared to the gen counterpart, it’s a lot more apt. Don’t forget the price difference too.
A lot of guys buy the rep and start complaining about how it does not measure up to the gen. But of course, they always neglect to mention to mention the price difference which is rather salient.
If you think that the Michael kors performs better why not get it? Or if you want a true AP why not get it? Like I said reps will come with its fair share of joys and issues. Part and parcel of the game.

 

[raytron]

To say that you should buy a Michael Kors or a Gen is a weak argument for any discussion - don't you agree? Of course, you are right. These options exist but how much of a valuable advice is that? I mean, you can use such a phrase in any situation but not contribute to the situation

"Says the husband to his wife: dinner is a bit salty. The wife answers: you don't have to eat it."

“Says the employee to his boss: I would like to leave early today. The boss answers: you don’t have to work here after all”

All I am saying is that cheap brands manage to get reliable products. Thus rep manufactures should strive for it too. I would appreciate it and pay a premium if I not just get a watch that looks like a gen but is also reliable and usable as a watch.



I think even price is not an adequate means to compare quality in that matter. In order to compare prices you would have leave away demand inflation, marketing, brand, development, engineering etc.
strip it down to just the manufacturing cost and then compare utility.

You could always bring the price difference Argument because a rep will always be cheaper. This however should not justify poor quality. If I purchase a Porsche rep (I guess that doesn’t exist, does it) for 100k instead of 250k usd I still want to be able to drive the car. And if the 40k Toyota is more reliable it is just a shame for the rep dude.

anyway, I don’t want to shift away the discussion but here and there some arguments are just not plausible too me.

 

[peterpl]

This is why I usually wait for a period of time before buying any clone movement. Yes its a rep but it should still work and function and keep basic time function. No one here is buying a mobile phone for it not to be able to make calls. A watch should be stable and tell time at its absolute minimum requirement imho.

Reps of course dont have the same laws around consumer rights LOL - so we have to accept that. If you want a reliable AP 15500 buy one with a Miyota. Yes its not the same clone and the caseback wont resemble the gen but I would almost guarantee it will last 5-10 years without a service. These are genuine japanese movements. Ive still got one ticking close to 10 years now not a single service and still operating at +3s a day. Better than all my gen Rolex's.

 

[CaliberDisaster]

I am too very disappointed with my ZF v3. As a matter affect it just stopped again while being on my wrist. Terrible quality.

And I have to say that one can expect good quality especially for a 600USD replica. You should get a working product. If there are Michael Kora watches for 400 USD that are more reliable then a rep should be too.

So I guess if these rep factories want to prosper in the future they must QC their products. If that’s not possible at the price point then just make it 100$ more expensive…

Check your caseback for a loose screw hanging around.

That was my issue and fixed it myself opening it.

 

[legend]

To say that you should buy a Michael Kors or a Gen is a weak argument for any discussion

Not at all actually.

I bought a few gen 15500s, so bypassing the need to deal with any and all issues associated with the clone movement personally. So putting my money to what I advise. I don't see what is tenuous about it.
So if you think the Michael Kors has a more reliable movement, then why not wear the Michael Kors? You pay for less and you get more reliability.
If you choose to wear the rep, then you have to deal with the issues inherent in the rep. Complaining about it also adds nothing to the situation. Trust me, the next many batches of movements will continue to have the same problems. If you buy cheap, you need to make provision for the issues which come with "cheap". The good news is that the movement can be made more reliable with a service and tweaks made to it. A lot of members have done that, its just part and parcel of the game, unfortunately.

I do agree with you that this ends the exchange and the topic should go back to what it is. You are entitled to your opinion and to disagree but this stops now as I do not see it becoming a fruitful discussion.

 

[flogtwo]

I am too very disappointed with my ZF v3. As a matter affect it just stopped again while being on my wrist. Terrible quality.

And I have to say that one can expect good quality especially for a 600USD replica. You should get a working product. If there are Michael Kora watches for 400 USD that are more reliable then a rep should be too.

So I guess if these rep factories want to prosper in the future they must QC their products. If that’s not possible at the price point then just make it 100$ more expensive…

Obviously it's expected to have some issues with replica watches, but clearly the last few months of this watch seem to have some serious issues percentage wise. Before a few months ago these ZF 15500s seemed to be a lot more realizable. Make sure to tell your TD about these issues or the factories will keep delivery these faulty watches.

 

[locvs]

ZF QC is hit and miss. My 15500 is working perfectly with no issues and no service.

 

[Molden]

ZF QC is hit and miss. My 15500 is working perfectly with no issues and no service.

I second this. Got mine back in November, works fine, no service. Only thing I want is to swap my white dial with DP dial.

By the way, @legend do you have an opinon on these white dial from DP, on my eye it has way better sunburst than stock zf v3.

 

[legend]

I second this. Got mine back in November, works fine, no service. Only thing I want is to swap my white dial with DP dial.

By the way, @legend do you have an opinon on these white dial from DP, on my eye it has way better sunburst than stock zf v3.

Yes they did the silver very nicely.
Of course the tapisseries will never be 100% like the gen but let’s face it, such a difference is purely academic. The DP dial replicates the gen one well enough for real life situations.

 

[Molden]

Yes they did the silver very nicely.
Of course the tapisseries will never be 100% like the gen but let’s face it, such a difference is purely academic. The DP dial replicates the gen one well enough for real life situations.

Yup, it won't match the gen for sure, but looks much nicer than stock. DP asks 1500 cny, I think it worth, other thing is the struggle of communicating with him. He is very slow/ not responsive on wechat

 

[speedywombat]

Yup, it won't match the gen for sure, but looks much nicer than stock. DP asks 1500 cny, I think it worth, other thing is the struggle of communicating with him. He is very slow/ not responsive on wechat

Hi, sorry for the noob question, but where do you get this from?

 

[Molden]

Hi, sorry for the noob question, but where do you get this from?

Pictures aren't mine, ask your td to source the aftermarket dial for you

 

[letti001]

I have teh APSF 15500ST blue and it is really a wonderful looking watch. A bit getting used to with the stiff bracelet but I am getting there. It seems teh pwer reaerve is a bit less than I was hoping. Although I may not know how to have it fully wound.
I had it in a winder and set now to 950 TPD but it still stops after a day.
Look foward to any thoughts.
Thank you

 

[legend]

I have teh APSF 15500ST blue and it is really a wonderful looking watch. A bit getting used to with the stiff bracelet but I am getting there. It seems teh pwer reaerve is a bit less than I was hoping. Although I may not know how to have it fully wound.
I had it in a winder and set now to 950 TPD but it still stops after a day.
Look foward to any thoughts.
Thank you

First get it off the winder. You’ll likely end up damaging the movement a lot more than getting it wound especially at this stage. The movement needs to be serviced, cleaned and regulated if you expect it to perform optimally. Watch winders are redundant for this hobby for both gens and reps imho. They accelerate wear and tear of the movement, like leaving a car engine on 24/7 even when it’s not driven.
Anything the watch winder can do, your hands can do safer and more practically.

 

[Autobús]

Learn to love winding your watch by hand. Honestly one of the best parts of the day. Zen like. Ritualistic. Shit, shower, shave, and wind. Be one with your timepiece.

 

[eBoy]

 

[letti001]

First get it off the winder. You’ll likely end up damaging the movement a lot more than getting it wound especially at this stage. The movement needs to be serviced, cleaned and regulated if you expect it to perform optimally. Watch winders are redundant for this hobby for both gens and reps imho. They accelerate wear and tear of the movement, like leaving a car engine on 24/7 even when it’s not driven.
Anything the watch winder can do, your hands can do safer and more practically.

I think you are right about the winders but I had one and used iy.
However, I noticed teh reason for the watch not maintaining the time is that the power drains as the rotor does not turn well. I have been wearing the watch all week and noticed that it stopped while wearing it.
When looking at the rotor and turning the watch it really does not move as it should.
I will have it services, lubricated, but are there any suggestions for the Asian 4302 movement?
I asked my watchsmith about it and he had not services one the Asian 4302 movements before.

Thank you in advance.

 

[letti001]

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!

This is exactly the problerm I am having right now. The rotor just will not move fluidly. It moves, but not well.
The watch winds well and keeps good time and is not noisy at all.
I have asked some other just to be sured, but I will have it serviced.
Glad to hear that it is a known issue, although sad to hear that it is a known issue

Thsnk you to all of you for your patience with my questions/comments.

 

[eBoy]