Modded ZF 15500 Blue Dial Review

[Swatch]

Thanks for the very interesting review.

I have three Royal Oaks from Legend and agree with everything you said about the man and his service. Even months after I accepted a 15500 from him, he gladly took it back to re-assess the rotor after I mentioned that the winding was not smooth.

On your three questions :

1. My friend has a gen 15500 and most of the hex screws are flushed except one which is a bit recessed. Same as my gen 15400, most flushed but two are recessed slightly. So, don't bother with yours as even the gen is not perfect.

2. A dent need to be filled up with material first and then sand down and brush to specifications. I has a bad dent on my AP repaired at APSC before and that's what they did. So, for a rep I will not be bother with a dent if it is minor.

3. Other than a gen full gold rotor which cost more than $500, you have no other choice. I looked around for a tungsten rotor but such is not available. Having said so, I am now more comfortable and satisfied with the 4302 SC after knowing from Legend that it is not meant to spin round and round like the Miyota but rather oscillates 52 degree to either side for winding. I typically keep a working watch for a week or two, wearing it in the day and having it in a winder (set to bi-directional) in the evening. And the APSF 15500 I have always keep its reserve for the entire 1-2 weeks.

On the dials. I have a refinished/enhanced ZF 15500 blue dial from Legend. And have the opportunity to compare this with my drinking buddy gen 15500 blue and I must say, the color and brilliance is close and there is zero possibility anyone can spot the difference with the watches on the wrist. Of course if you look close and know what to look for, there are differences in the tapisserie construct and the way lights are reflected. Again, without a gen by the side, only an expert can tell.

Can you please pass on his contact info? Would love to see if he could help me with one.

 

[nicksudar]

@zerodreamy Thank you for your review mate. I have the same SW dial, and agree with everything you said. I’m planning to install Deep crystal to make it a bit more blue, but I didn’t know that there were some very early versions of it with darker color. Do you have any more photos of these early dials apart from what you’ve already posted? Thank you

 

[Endez]

@zerodreamy Thank you for your review mate. I have the same SW dial, and agree with everything you said. I’m planning to install Deep crystal to make it a bit more blue, but I didn’t know that there were some very early versions of it with darker color. Do you have any more photos of these early dials apart from what you’ve already posted? Thank you

Seems that older version of SW 15500 dials were lighter… more like DP dials.

Mine, with last SW dial and deep xtal looks black almost all the time, but when blue hits, look awesome!

 

[nicksudar]

@Endez thank you mate, looks great! What I was asking initially (and didn’t make it clear) to see the pictures of very early gen dials that are almost black. I’m trying to decide now whether to keep SW dial and install Deep crystal or use DP dial (where I like the color more, but tapisserie is very flat).

 

[Endez]

@Endez thank you mate, looks great! What I was asking initially (and didn’t make it clear) to see the pictures of very early gen dials that are almost black. I’m trying to decide now whether to keep SW dial and install Deep crystal or use DP dial (where I like the color more, but tapisserie is very flat).

Never heard or saw that blue was darker in the early 15500…

Is it a DP the dial on the high?

 

[nicksudar]

Never heard or saw that blue was darker in the early 15500…

Is it a DP the dial on the high?

That was mentioned by @zerodreamy in this thread. I also never heard about it before. Yes, it is DP at the top and SW in the middle. Gen black 15400 in the bottom for comparison

 

[Endez]

Nice!
If you want to sell the DP I am interested. Never had a chance to see one in person

 

[zerodreamy]

@zerodreamy Thank you for your review mate. I have the same SW dial, and agree with everything you said. I’m planning to install Deep crystal to make it a bit more blue, but I didn’t know that there were some very early versions of it with darker color. Do you have any more photos of these early dials apart from what you’ve already posted? Thank you

Apologies for the late response.

I do not, and this description was speculation on my part based on the photos themselves, their publication date (early in 15500 cycle), and gossip from some gen owners.

It may not be an "earlier dial" as claimed in the OP. As mentioned in the post, I could be completely incorrect in this assessment and am open to learning more. Since posting, this has not been corrected or corroborated by any fine members here, so I cannot really be sure what the truth is.

I have only seen the photos posted in the OP, and one other example elsewhere on social media of a similarly dark dial. All other examples that I have seen have been well in line with the usual hue of blue one expects from the gen 15500.

It may also be that these are taken in a certain way, at a certain angle, with a specific lens/camera quirk, or featuring any number of other minute variables that have the end result of a very dark, blackish dial in photos only.

All I can be sure of is that these few photos I have seen of very dark dials are not the norm for the model. The underlying reason for their appearance is anybody's guess, from camera to light to unicorn.

 

[Endez]

Thank you.

The SW 15500 is beautiful’, but too dark for me. There is only in few angles that looks blue…

On my 15500 I have now put the SW 15510 to try. It is beautifull amd more blue, but still not close to Gen. I think my next one will be a 15400 with gen Black dial. Blue is too expensive and rep dial is impossible to reproduce

 

[grillbrill]

Thank you.

The SW 15500 is beautiful’, but too dark for me. There is only in few angles that looks blue…

On my 15500 I have now put the SW 15510 to try. It is beautifull amd more blue, but still not close to Gen. I think my next one will be a 15400 with gen Black dial. Blue is too expensive and rep dial is impossible to reproduce

Have you considered blue 15202/15450? Or do you feel them too small?

 

[EdenAlando]

Thanks for the very interesting review.

I have three Royal Oaks from Legend and agree with everything you said about the man and his service. Even months after I accepted a 15500 from him, he gladly took it back to re-assess the rotor after I mentioned that the winding was not smooth.

On your three questions :

1. My friend has a gen 15500 and most of the hex screws are flushed except one which is a bit recessed. Same as my gen 15400, most flushed but two are recessed slightly. So, don't bother with yours as even the gen is not perfect.

2. A dent need to be filled up with material first and then sand down and brush to specifications. I has a bad dent on my AP repaired at APSC before and that's what they did. So, for a rep I will not be bother with a dent if it is minor.

3. Other than a gen full gold rotor which cost more than $500, you have no other choice. I looked around for a tungsten rotor but such is not available. Having said so, I am now more comfortable and satisfied with the 4302 SC after knowing from Legend that it is not meant to spin round and round like the Miyota but rather oscillates 52 degree to either side for winding. I typically keep a working watch for a week or two, wearing it in the day and having it in a winder (set to bi-directional) in the evening. And the APSF 15500 I have always keep its reserve for the entire 1-2 weeks.

On the dials. I have a refinished/enhanced ZF 15500 blue dial from Legend. And have the opportunity to compare this with my drinking buddy gen 15500 blue and I must say, the color and brilliance is close and there is zero possibility anyone can spot the difference with the watches on the wrist. Of course if you look close and know what to look for, there are differences in the tapisserie construct and the way lights are reflected. Again, without a gen by the side, only an expert can tell.

Hi where do you manage to get the gen gold rotor?