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Gen VS ZF rep comparison: grey 15500
- Thread starter legend
- Start date
Until you do the same gen vs rep comparison P they have to settle for second best. :hehehe:
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- 21/3/14
- 5,785
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Nice and honest write up legend the ZF15500 is impressive indeed. I just received the grey version as well this morning and I was planning to make a review with my gen blue one.
I completely agree with you in all you said above
Some side by side pics I just took
I completely agree with you in all you said above
Some side by side pics I just took
Great review. Thank you!
It confirmed my initial thoughts from owning this watch for a couple of weeks. That this is one of best reps in build quality I've owned.
It's amazing how far our Chinese friends have come. Building a watch do close to the gen for 500$.
It confirmed my initial thoughts from owning this watch for a couple of weeks. That this is one of best reps in build quality I've owned.
It's amazing how far our Chinese friends have come. Building a watch do close to the gen for 500$.
Many thanks to OP for this. Very helpful. Now my mission is to buy one!!!
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Legend, can you film a couple quick video "tutorials" while you're doing this?
I am sure there are other Miyota silencing "guides" out there, but it would be awesome if you did a simple "walk through" specifically for the ZF 15500.
Specially since for many people, that is the only considerable drawback this rep has OOTB.
Additionally, does anybody have BLACK dial sunlight pics for either gen or rep? I am very curious about the black dial sunburst effect, does it "shine" like other color dials? A lot of visuals on the other dials but not enough info on the black IMHO.
APpee
Active Member
APpee
Active Member
Firstly sorry for taking so long. The rep watch took eons to arrive. Thank you [mention]TidusKun [/mention]for kindly ordering the rep for me to do the comparison. I will do a comparison without the use of a watchmaker loupe because I think what most of you want to know is how the watch appears in real life. On this point, I think that a lot of you will also be interested to know that even gens display manufacturing flaws when viewed under a 10x loupe. I will do a naked eye comparison because this is what matters in real life.
First, let me say that the ZF rep is incredibly well made. The dimensions of the gen and rep are identical to the eyes and the thickness is the same. The bracelet edges are somewhat a little more rough compared with the gen as expected but this is easily taken care of.
On to a frontal shot
This is where the main difference in the rep is. The color of the gen is lighter, and the tapisseries look slightly different in terms of shape. The color is a tell when placed next to the gen, but it looks very good on its own. For those of you who think that the black dial color is spot on, I can only say here for the record that it is not, and the dial texture for the gen and rep dials will look different no matter what color you choose.
The print on the rep dial is very slightly thicker but AP logo looks identical. There is no difference in the crystals visually. The hands of the gen are noticeably better finished and looks a lot more refined in person, and same goes for the gen bezel screws. The dial markers of the gen and rep watches look identical. There are very subtle differences in the datewheel font but not enough to be a concern in real world. So much for the date font being “unreppable” lol.
The bezel screws are in fact more sunken on the rep than the gen. In the gen the screws are flushed with the bezel surface. On the rep they’re imperceptibly sunken.
Very slight differences seen in the crown, with the rep one appearing much more polished. But this is not a concern and easily addressed.
The screws attaching the case to the bracelet on the gen are a lot more refined but these are very fine details.
Slight but again meaningless difference between the gen and rep clasp plate. As mentioned the rep bracelet feels more rough to the touch (with plastic cover removed of course) the link connectors are equally polished in both the gen and rep. I will recommend the rep edges be softened for comfort of wear, as well as the bevels polished up a little to emulate the gen finish better. No big difference to me however.
The 4302 caliber used in the gen and the miyota used in the rep looks entirely different of course. I did not include this because pics of the movements can be easily googled. The rep I’ve received has a very noisy and tinny sounding movement but I’ll be fixing this for the owner.
Overall, for $500, the zf15500 is exceptionally well made. The main tells of the watch are the dial colors and textures (including the black and blue), the movement and the refinement of details in the hands, bezel screws and bracelet not present in the rep. The last are details which cannot be spotted in real life unless you spend time to scrutinize the watches 30cm from your eyes. If a gen dial is dropped into the rep, I can safely say that it cannot be called out on the wrist unless you’re an AP god like [mention]QueTip [/mention]
If you’re on the fence about this, buy it. It will be an enjoyable watch as long as you don’t try to fool anyone into believing that it’s a gen. The movement looks entirely different though the casebacks are very close. Worn on its own, it is a beautiful watch. It is only when placed next to a gen that the dial color and text differences become apparent.
I personally think that the zf15500 is the best out of the box royal oak rep which can be purchased today and that zf did a superlative job. I hardly wear my 15500 and I will consider getting a rep and modding the dial color to match the gen better for wearing as either one will be blatant scratch magnets.
Please ask the questions you have, and I will try my best to answer them. My review is aimed at being brief and to the point as to where the meaningful differences lie.
If you have a question which isn’t answered in this comparison please ask thank you.
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Where you say 'if a gen dial is dropped into a gen, i can safetly say it will not be called out' i take it you meant if dropped into a rep?
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- 3/6/14
- 14,325
- 5,260
- 113
Another shot in white lighting
And a comparison of the bracelet link thickness.
I won’t say which is gen or rep, you guys always and forever can tell lol
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And a comparison of the bracelet link thickness.
I won’t say which is gen or rep, you guys always and forever can tell lol
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James2020
Active Member
- 1/6/20
- 422
- 175
- 43
+1 on more info on the ‘silencing’ of the rotor. It’s the only thing that’s holding me back from pulling the trigger.
Another shot in white lighting
And a comparison of the bracelet link thickness.
I won’t say which is gen or rep, you guys always and forever can tell lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Another shot in white lighting
And a comparison of the bracelet link thickness.
I won’t say which is gen or rep, you guys always and forever can tell lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Left side is rep. Right side gen. Little thicker braclet on gen and more Grey tone on the dial in the last pic. Rep dial looks black allmost in that lightning.
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