JF AP 15400ST Gen vs Rep mini-review (BLUE)

[Sonil]

Hey Mech. Hope you don’t mind me gatecrashing this thread. I bought the exact rep AP 15400 v3 that Mech used in this thread. I swapped out the crystal for one of my 2xAR ones. Here are some pics with bad lighting and bad camera phone. Will try and take some better ones during the day tomorrow. I think I am falling in love with this watch again. The rep crystal kind of takes away from beauty of Dial with a ‘milky’ effect. Double AR sorts this out.

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[Johnny Depp]

mech500 Good review
congratulations!!!
i think the color is better JF v2? What do you think?

 

[mech500]

Looks good Sonil. Yes, the rep crystal wasn’t doing anything for the dial. Glad you got her safe and sound.


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[mech500]

mech500 Good review
congratulations!!!
i think the color is better JF v2? What do you think?

Thanks bro. Visually the v2 blue looks better to my eyes.

The v3 is a little gray and dull.

Perhaps, v3 is based on another gen batch.....I don’t know?

But v2 blue colour is prettier and pops more IMO......but V3 dial printing is better.

Have you tried to thin the mid-case? This is mandatory mod IMO.

Gen (left), Rep (right)

 

[rcom440]

Thanks bro. Visually the v2 blue looks better to my eyes.

Perhaps, v3 is based on another gen batch.....I don’t know?

It is based on 2016-2017 dial where blue is blue-grayish.
in 2017 there was also version of that blue dial with white date wheel.
now this new blue dial is actually not that new
because it’s pretty much the same color that they used prior 2016

 

[mech500]

Thanks for the information rcom440 (very impressive knowledge)


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[FastPaced]

Have you tried to thin the mid-case? This is mandatory mod IMO.

Gen (left), Rep (right)

The caseback is definitely thinner on the Gen. But to me, it almost looks like the bezel is thinner too. What do you think?

 

[Nivka]

Outstanding! Congrats on a perfect grail, mech. With a 6.75 wrist myself, I opted for the 15450 JF, but now I’m wondering if I should also get a 15400 and thin the caseback,..

 

[mech500]

Outstanding! Congrats on a perfect grail, mech. With a 6.75 wrist myself, I opted for the 15450 JF, but now I’m wondering if I should also get a 15400 and thin the caseback,..

Thanks mate. I also tried the 15450 and didn’t like the smaller size....it just didn’t have the same wrist presence as the 15400.

At first I too was like, wtf have AP done with the stupid sizing on the 15400 ....but overtime it grew on me.

The 15400 doesn’t feel as big and absurd with the 10% thickness reduction. The difference is like night and day IMO.

Also, For me, a modern AP should be BIG....that’s kinda what AP is all about....well sort of.

I wear the 15400 a little tighter on the wrist than normal and that helps make the watch look smaller and proportioned to my girlie 6.75” wrists.






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[mech500]

The caseback is definitely thinner on the Gen. But to me, it almost looks like the bezel is thinner too. What do you think?

I think you’re right, gen bezel is slightly thinner. Even gen mid-case is probably a touch thinner than rep. Overall gen looks and feels like a completely different watch (due to lack of thickness). The JF offering is simply too thick for what it is (a dressy watch). Get the caseback modded and you’re good to go.

I’m not sure whether thinning the existing JF bezel will change the bezel chamfers in a way that might make them look ugly?


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[rayz20]

Thank you for the work mech. I really appreciate it!

 

[slaughterer62]

Thanks mate. I also tried the 15450 and didn’t like the smaller size....it just didn’t have the same wrist presence as the 15400.

At first I too was like, wtf have AP done with the stupid sizing on the 15400 ....but overtime it grew on me.

The 15400 doesn’t feel as big and absurd with the 10% thickness reduction. The difference is like night and day IMO.

Also, For me, a modern AP should be BIG....that’s kinda what AP is all about....well sort of.

I wear the 15400 a little tighter on the wrist than normal and that helps make the watch look smaller and proportioned to my girlie 6.75” wrists.






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For me the ultimate RO is 15202, then the 15300. You cannot really beat 39mm: it is the perfect size for wrists 6.5 to 7.5 inches. I always grit me teeth when I strap on the 15400. It is just too much. Better with strap, no doubt. But idiotic that AP just goes with the flow and resizes up. Along with their tele tubby color Divers.
I could list 40 things that make your gen 15400s worth purchasing over the JF 15400s V1, V2, V3, and Vx. Even with the absurd premium and hassle. But you are right on insisting on the thickness. It is mainly in the bezel and caseback on the JF. Too bad the JF is stuck with that hideous deco plate as well. Which adds even more thickness.
Thin is better. In human bodies as in watches.
There are about 20 things in that gen dial and hand set that make it superior to anything the Chinese will come up with. Not just the "AUTOMATIC" print but the details of the tap, the cut of the markers, etc. etc. etc.
Wear it tight.

 

[mech500]

For me the ultimate RO is 15202, then the 15300. You cannot really beat 39mm: it is the perfect size for wrists 6.5 to 7.5 inches. I always grit me teeth when I strap on the 15400. It is just too much. Better with strap, no doubt.

Haha. Yeh it IS too much....big and flash....no shame! That’s what I like about it. That’s AP. Go for it....wear it like a boss. Lol

When I prefer something dressy, small, subtle...I’ll get a Nautilus.

Gen bracelet is also more flexible then the present Jf offering, which helps 15400 wear smaller on my wrist than JF.......but overtime JF bracelet does loosen up nicely.

Strap on RO? No man! That’s crazy. The integrated bracelet is what makes Royal Oak.

 

[FastPaced]

Cleaning my bracelet in the ultrasonic cleaner helped a lot to loosen it up. But I cleaned it for like an hour in there.

 

[Mr Gatsby]

mech500 thanks for a review that just bypassed all the nitpicking and taking it for what it is. A $400 rep. It was refreshing to hear I just don't worry about that in a review. I get all the technical talk we get here but I think sometimes we lose perspective of what these actually are. $400 to $500 reps. It's never gonna be perfect, ever but just enjoy it!! Again, good work bro and congrats on ur gen u will enjoy it.

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[thestefster]

Awesome review.

I have the grey dial and love it. I still cannot believe how well made and close the real thing these are. Its just amazing what can be done now-a-days.

 

[mech500]

Here’s a quick vide comparison. JF looks good huh?!

https://youtu.be/rPStmIyuopQ

 

[Repworld]

Thanx can’t distinguish real from JF


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[abcar]

Wow amazing review thanks ! Btw, on the video we can see that JF truly did an amazing job if you look at a wrist distance...
Enjoy your gen 15400, it's a beauty

 

[FastPaced]

The one on the left the words on the dial look bright and the one on the right the dial looks a hair greyish. But I think you can only notice that stuff when they are side by side