APSF new RM-055 with DD super clone movement release

[pleasebegentle:)]

I’m sorry .. I still do get the hype. lol.. But, I give RM credit for their marketing genius. The watches though look like trash though. Frankly, the rep is nearly identical and the gen should not be worth more than $1k.

Maybe read a little before running your fingers across the keyboard.

Or better yet, go to a boutique a try one on.

 

[fletch512]

I’m sorry .. I still do get the hype. lol.. But, I give RM credit for their marketing genius. The watches though look like trash though. Frankly, the rep is nearly identical and the gen should not be worth more than $1k.

I agree. I wasn’t a fan of RM, but bought a BBR RM 35-01 to see what all the hype was about. For $650, it’s nearly identical to the massively expensive gen (the differences have been covered in other threads, but to the naked eye you really can’t tell in my opinion).

The watch has certainly grown on me because of novelty, how light it is, and I wear it frequently because I don’t care if I bang it against something or break it. It looks ridiculously thick and clunky, even on my 7” wrists, and feels like something I bought at Walmart. I’ve received some positive comments about the watch from people who don’t know the brand, but no one assumes it’s an expensive watch (unlike, say, the AP watches I have).

There are no real complications in the movement, the NTPT can be replicated rather inexpensively (at most $4k for something custom, but mine looks pretty good). No way is this watch worth $100-300k, which I believe has been the price over time.

So marketing has been amazing, with Saudis flaunting their wealth wearing an RM while otherwise dressing modestly in a traditional thawb. For me the novelty sits in the same space as Panerai, which charged tens of thousands of dollars for a decorated Valjoux movement in a brick case which barely fits Stallone’s steroid wrists. Same for the more gaudy Hublots.

Don’t get me wrong — I get a kick out of certain Panerais, Hublots and even RM. I don’t think they look “trash” for the most part, but it is amazing how much people will pay for an otherwise simple timepiece to peacock themselves.

 

[ebzen02]

Maybe read a little before running your fingers across the keyboard.

Or better yet, go to a boutique a try one on.

I know they have some patents but aesthetically it’s extremely garish. It’s like a modern Hublot.

 

[TagHeuerFan1963]

How likely is it that a new version gets released in a month upon me buying this today. It really feels like it which makes me hesitate.

 

[CutePinkKitty]

How likely is it that a new version gets released in a month upon me buying this today. It really feels like it which makes me hesitate.

imagine this... they have a limited batch right now... sell all of them, sees me bitch about the damn rotor font non stop then proceeds to fix the font in less than a minute, mass produce and voila....... VERSION 2.

Oh and they'll probably drill a hole on the 8th solid link while they are at it too

 

[derjenigewelcher]

While I'm generally a giant dickhead, I'm being serious in this case. If people assume your watch is a rep, fuck 'em. If they assume it's gen, fuck 'em.

If people....

"Fuck em".

 

[centrum]

It's pretty calm and quiet on this thread. Is everyone else also waiting for the titanium and white ceramic versions?

 

[pleasebegentle:)]

I know they have some patents but aesthetically it’s extremely garish. It’s like a modern Hublot.

Sorry for responding aggressively like that.

I used to strongly dislike RM, then I randomly walked into a boutique and got to try on a 65-01 and became a massive fan. That's why I think you should just try them out if you get the chance, in the metal they're very impressive compared to almost everything else. And the more I learn about them the more I like them.

 

[derjenigewelcher]

After ZF RM 055 and Sonic RM035 and BBR RM 055 i finally ordered the APS one and looking forward to it. Can someone tell if the clasp is also as snap as on ZFs or is it more loose like BBR?

 

[Dollar_short]

Sorry for responding aggressively like that.

I used to strongly dislike RM, then I randomly walked into a boutique and got to try on a 65-01 and became a massive fan. That's why I think you should just try them out if you get the chance, in the metal they're very impressive compared to almost everything else. And the more I learn about them the more I like them.

 

[mgberns]

as far as the APSF strap/clasp is concerned. i would say the strap is not as nice as the ZF straps, and the clasp pin, is a bit on the thicker side in comparison to other clasps, i would be careful inserting it into the hole and if not done at a certain angle, it will leave an imprint around the hole.

the snap on it is fine.

as far as fit and finish, the APSF rm055 is much nicer than the other mass market reps.

 

[derjenigewelcher]

as far as the APSF strap/clasp is concerned. i would say the strap is not as nice as the ZF straps, and the clasp pin, is a bit on the thicker side in comparison to other clasps, i would be careful inserting it into the hole and if not done at a certain angle, it will leave an imprint around the hole.

the snap on it is fine.

as far as fit and finish, the APSF rm055 is much nicer than the other mass market reps.

Thank you for answering my questions, much appreciated

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Finally I have read the whole thread. Whats wrong with the Aps version of the DD movement? Had a BBR back in the days which had stuttering hands. But i guess that was a myiota mod, not a dandong?

 

[CutePinkKitty]

Finally I have read the whole thread. Whats wrong with the Aps version of the DD movement? Had a BBR back in the days which had stuttering hands. But i guess that was a myiota mod, not a dandong?

I could have sworn ZF and APS uses the same cloned movement from DD and has no problems...

 

[mgberns]

who said anything was wrong with the movement? both worked well for me. apsf is an updated version with metallic like ribs, but still missing some metallic paint on the recessed holes.

 

[atom]

Finally I have read the whole thread. Whats wrong with the Aps version of the DD movement? Had a BBR back in the days which had stuttering hands. But i guess that was a myiota mod, not a dandong?

This and other recent releases are big improvement over previous iterations as it is a true clone movement. On APSF the movement shape is correct, the double barrels are functional, the escapement is in the right place, the keyless works details are functional, the clear shock jewel is real. Lots of good stuff.

Faults:

The metal ribs on the movement seem to be adhesive backed foil, so there is a risk they may eventually come off and some are slightly misaligned. They seem to be better in appearance than ZF but also aren't as "crisp" as the gen brushed ribs. Haven't seen it IRL, looks pretty good in pics.

It's missing the silver threaded inserts visible in some of the "holes" on the front of the bridges. The inside of the holes is just black. Same fault is in ZF and many others but you can see the silver on gen photos if you look closely. Personally this is the biggest current fault, and it's not that big.

It's not free sprung. Visible from rear of movement.

The lower right rib on the rear of the movement near the mounting screw is too short. Only visible from rear of movement.

General movement finish (surface texture of the black, quality of chamfers etc) is rough vs gen (frankly even the $15k customs seem to have this issue)

Movement is probably not made of titanium? Who knows. Not visible, but maybe why the ribs are stickers (if movement is brass, real brushed ribs would be the wrong color)

I think that's most if not all of it. APSF seems to be current #1 in the RM55 world unless you go to the short run $5k++ stuff. The case seems a real winner from reviews and it should look gen from a dozen to a few feet away and still really good at a few inches and genlike unless you're crazy like us.

 

[derjenigewelcher]

This and other recent releases are big improvement over previous iterations as it is a true clone movement. On APSF the movement shape is correct, the double barrels are functional, the escapement is in the right place, the keyless works details are functional, the clear shock jewel is real. Lots of good stuff.

Faults:

The metal ribs on the movement seem to be adhesive backed foil, so there is a risk they may eventually come off and some are slightly misaligned. They seem to be better in appearance than ZF but also aren't as "crisp" as the gen brushed ribs. Haven't seen it IRL, looks pretty good in pics.

It's missing the silver threaded inserts visible in some of the "holes" on the front of the bridges. The inside of the holes is just black. Same fault is in ZF and many others but you can see the silver on gen photos if you look closely. Personally this is the biggest current fault, and it's not that big.

It's not free sprung. Visible from rear of movement.

The lower right rib on the rear of the movement near the mounting screw is too short. Only visible from rear of movement.

General movement finish (surface texture of the black, quality of chamfers etc) is rough vs gen (frankly even the $15k customs seem to have this issue)

Movement is probably not made of titanium? Who knows. Not visible, but maybe why the ribs are stickers (if movement is brass, real brushed ribs would be the wrong color)

I think that's most if not all of it. APSF seems to be current #1 in the RM55 world unless you go to the short run $5k++ stuff. The case seems a real winner from reviews and it should look gen from a dozen to a few feet away and still really good at a few inches and genlike unless you're crazy like us.

Thanks for hell of this post.
Every detail can be understood from a Rolexguy like me.
I really am looking forward to my watch and will post some Wristies in this thread.

 

[serumdiesel]

This and other recent releases are big improvement over previous iterations as it is a true clone movement. On APSF the movement shape is correct, the double barrels are functional, the escapement is in the right place, the keyless works details are functional, the clear shock jewel is real. Lots of good stuff.

Faults:

The metal ribs on the movement seem to be adhesive backed foil, so there is a risk they may eventually come off and some are slightly misaligned. They seem to be better in appearance than ZF but also aren't as "crisp" as the gen brushed ribs. Haven't seen it IRL, looks pretty good in pics.

It's missing the silver threaded inserts visible in some of the "holes" on the front of the bridges. The inside of the holes is just black. Same fault is in ZF and many others but you can see the silver on gen photos if you look closely. Personally this is the biggest current fault, and it's not that big.

It's not free sprung. Visible from rear of movement.

The lower right rib on the rear of the movement near the mounting screw is too short. Only visible from rear of movement.

General movement finish (surface texture of the black, quality of chamfers etc) is rough vs gen (frankly even the $15k customs seem to have this issue)

Movement is probably not made of titanium? Who knows. Not visible, but maybe why the ribs are stickers (if movement is brass, real brushed ribs would be the wrong color)

I think that's most if not all of it. APSF seems to be current #1 in the RM55 world unless you go to the short run $5k++ stuff. The case seems a real winner from reviews and it should look gen from a dozen to a few feet away and still really good at a few inches and genlike unless you're crazy like us.

Excellent write up, and a testament to APSF’s quality of work on this piece.

 

[CutePinkKitty]

I'm thinking since APSF is basically ZF, the NTPT watches will come from APSF and the rubber watches will be from ZF looks like

 

[donvposte]

Just curious what is the weight of these?
And what is the weight of gen??