My first Royal Oak. The new 15400 (Review and Pics)

[Debellum]

Hahaha. Cheers mate!

I really love the 15400, so when I first saw a decent rep of it, I couldn't hold myself from getting it. So, in the end, I'm pretty satisfied and the RO is surprisingly comfortable to wear, could be my daily beater now.

Hehehehe....
I'm happy of this , so you can wrist this AP.
And if is comfortable to wear , very very happy also of this.

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

 

[jamztio]

An update: Another member has received his 15400 black dial and he said that the clasp on his was fine. So I think the clasp problem is just an isolated case. I've updated my review on the first page.

 

[sharrkey]

Seen Set's post also and quite a dramatic difference polishing the rehaut makes, seems a simple enough mod to do also.


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[set2374]

Jamzito did a great job on his review. I just received my black dialed version last night and thought I would tack my review onto his. . I took the watch apart almost immediately to give it a good cleaning. The big complaint on this watch is the brushed rehaut. The gen has a polished rehaut. The difference is actually noticeable on the wrist and I see that a number of people were scared off by this flaw. Please don't let this stop you from buying the watch. Polishing the rehaut is an easy DIY mod that took me less than 30 minutes.

My overall impression of this watch is very positive. BP got 95% of the details right on this watch. The clasp on my watch is great and works perfectly. It looks exactly like the gen as well. The bracelet is very well done and I am very pleased with it quality. The finish on the case and bracelet is pretty close to on par with my Diver 3.5 (if the diver is a 9, I would say this is an 8). The QC from BP factor wasn't the best. My watch had some smudge or grease on the inside of the crystal that needed to be cleaned off and my rotor had some spots on it that just needed to be cleaned. Typical of BP factor, the parts are really nice, but the QC and quality of assembly leave a lot to be desired. Fortunately, this is a very easy watch to work on and, unlike other reps I have owned, it was easy to take apart and put back together.

I have been studying the watch for a day now and I think they really got the dial right. I honestly can't see any difference between the rep and gen. The gen has clear AR, I don't think the rep has AR. I would have liked to see clear AR on the watch, but better that they skip the AR than put some tinted crap on the crystal. Anyway, I am going to agree 100% with Jamzito's review. I think this watch, with very light modding this is very close to a super rep. With good, clear Ar, i think it would be over the hump. Anyway, here are the pictures, with the polished rehaut:

 

[jamztio]

Thanks Set for posting your take on this watch. :cheers:

I'm going to polish the rehaut on mine and I've also emailed Josh about the clasp issue, let's see if he'll cooperate.

 

[Duc]

I was in, then I was out, then I was in, then I was out.

I think I'm finally sold. Great write up guys.

 

[sharrkey]

Double Ar and polish the rehaut would finish off and make this a very classy rep, thanks for the pics set


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[set2374]

I was in, then I was out, then I was in, then I was out.

I think I'm finally sold. Great write up guys.

Duc, I think you'll be happy with it. If you want a RO, this is definitely the one to get. Sure, Angus says his maker will have one out in six months, but who knows whether it's a real six months or a year. Aside from the rehaut and AR, I have heard anyone really identify any other flaws with this and I just don't see them. Moreover, the rehaut is an easy fix and if the AR bothers you, that's also a pretty easy mod to have done (although it is a pain to wait around forever until you get your watch back). I would bet that on the silver dial, the AR wouldn't be noticeable at all since AP uses colorless AR.

 

[Duc]

Do you have any tips/procedures on polishing the rehaut? Do it by hand? Dremel? Thanks.

 

[Debellum]

Double Ar and polish the rehaut would finish off and make this a very classy rep, thanks for the pics set


Sent from my iPhone 5 Using TapaTalk2 S???R?I?????

Yes , amazing pics Set.
However I don't change my opinion.
If I pay for a good rep , I don't wanna dismount for polish the rehaut and maybe change the crystal. I'm not a good modder , better , I'm a very donkey and I can't dismount the screws also. Then , I prefer wait Angus or other factory for buy this watch. If I buy this version , I must get to my watch reparator for make this easy work.

Cheers

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

 

[Debellum]

Duc, I think you'll be happy with it. If you want a RO, this is definitely the one to get. Sure, Angus says his maker will have one out in six months, but who knows whether it's a real six months or a year. Aside from the rehaut and AR, I have heard anyone really identify any other flaws with this and I just don't see them. Moreover, the rehaut is an easy fix and if the AR bothers you, that's also a pretty easy mod to have done (although it is a pain to wait around forever until you get your watch back). I would bet that on the silver dial, the AR wouldn't be noticeable at all since AP uses colorless AR.

Too easy for many people.
But I'm not able to polish the reheat and dismount the watch also. I've not the tools for this easy work. And I'm not able to change the sapphire for fit an AR crystal.
So , for me it's not the right version.
The solution for me ?
Get it to my watch reparator and spend more or less 50/60 Euro.
I'm the only that think this ?

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

 

[Duc]

Too easy for many people.
But I'm not able to polish the reheat and dismount the watch also. I've not the tools for this easy work. And I'm not able to change the sapphire for fit an AR crystal.
So , for me it's not the right version.
The solution for me ?
Get it to my watch reparator and spend more or less 50/60 Euro.
I'm the only that think this ?

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

In my eyes, what's the fun in a rep if I can't tear it open and play around?

I follow similar logic with girlfriends.

 

[Debellum]

In my eyes, what's the fun in a rep if I can't tear it open and play around?

I follow similar logic with girlfriends.

Yes , yes Duc.
For you that it's able to make this.
Is funny if I'm able to make this work.
But if I can't make cause I'm not able , trust me , it's not a good play.
However , it's only my opinion.
And after the holidays will buy a Diver 3.5 and I don't think again about this watch.
From some months when will disposable a good version that not need mods , I will buy.

Cheers

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

 

[set2374]

I agree duc. I love the fact that I can mess around with a rep in a way I would never do with a gen. That said I am no watchsmith. I can do some very basic things, but there have been plenty of times that I have had to have my watchsmith fix my mistakes. This is one on the easier watches work on. Note: you NOT have to remove the movement or crystal to polish the rehaut. It is a separate piece that you can take out one you have the bezel off the watch. This is an easy access watch. Just be careful not lose any screws. .

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[set2374]

Yes , yes Duc.
For you that it's able to make this.
Is funny if I'm able to make this work.
But if I can't make cause I'm not able , trust me , it's not a good play.
However , it's only my opinion.
And after the holidays will buy a Diver 3.5 and I don't think again about this watch.
From some months when will disposable a good version that not need mods , I will buy.

Cheers

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

I love my diver, but since I wear suits to work the RO is a better fit and will get more use. The diver is still the best AP rep, but this isn't too far behind. I also won't be surprised if the factory fixes this issue quickly. A dremel and 5 minutes will solve this flaw. They can leave the rest of the watch as is.

Last point, the factory's claim that they water proof it to 30m is total BS. My watch fogged up after simple wash with soap and water. I put a light application of silicon on the seals, but there is no o-ring on the screw down crown and the many potential points for water intrusion in the design. AP does not recommend swimming with the gen-- assume the same for the rep. This is a dress watch and needs to be treated as such. Get the diver 3.5 if you want to take an AP for a dip in the ocean.


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[Debellum]

So , I must only get off the case back ?
Ok , this I can do.

Thanx

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

 

[set2374]

So , I must only get off the case back ?
Ok , this I can do.

Thanx

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

Once the back is unscrewed and removed, you can take the bezel off the front. The rehaut is a separate piece held in place by the mid case and bezel. You don't have to take the movement out. Just make sure when you put it back together that you put the bezel screws in the right direction. You also want to make sure the brushed grain on the bezel and case are going in the same direction. Once you have the bezel and bezel screws in position, take two pieces of scotch tape to hold the screws and bezel on the watch and in the right position. The turn the watch over and put the case back in the correct position. The put place all the case back screws on position. The gently screw then in. The case back screws grab the bezel screws and hold the watch together. Don't over tighten the screws or you'll have issues. That's all there is to it.

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[set2374]

Double Ar and polish the rehaut would finish off and make this a very classy rep, thanks for the pics set


Sent from my iPhone 5 Using TapaTalk2 S???R?I?????

I think AP only uses a single coat of AR on the inside of the crystal on the RO. If this were a breitling, omega or tag, the lack of AR would be really problematic since the AR is a big part of the look of the look. AP goes light on the AR because it's really only for anti-glare and is not intended to give intended to be a defining characteristic of the watch. I think you can get away without the AR on this watch and I would be concerned that a modder or maker would screw the watch up by going to heavy on the AR. Most of the aftermarket products tend to have a tint to them that gens don't have. I think I am going to skip AR on this watch.

That said, I am still seriously interested in getting the Angus' version of this watch, but I have a feeling that watch is not going to be out for quite a while. Based on his posts from June on repgeek, the watch is at least six months away (based on Angus' comments). My guess is that's actually going to take longer than that if they are going to be using a Miyota 9015. I am not sure if that movement makes sense since the size of the 2824 is closer to the AP Caliber 3120 than the Miyota--but I guess they know what they are doing (or not)????? I honestly don't think there's a whole lot to improve on with this watch. You have a correct DW--no changes needed. Great looking rotor (no changes needed). Great dial, case set, clasp and bracelet. If you wanted to go nuts, you can try to make a faux engraved bridge similar to what they do on some of the rolexes and PO's. Maybe add some AR to the crystal and polish the rehaut out of the box. Other than that, that and, of course, improve quality control (good luck with that one), there's nothing really left to do here. The watch has fundamentally good bones, with enough minor niggles that BP should be able to clean up with a V2. If you like the RO, I say buy the BP version and enjoy it.

 

[Debellum]

Once the back is unscrewed and removed, you can take the bezel off the front. The rehaut is a separate piece held in place by the mid case and bezel. You don't have to take the movement out. Just make sure when you put it back together that you put the bezel screws in the right direction. You also want to make sure the brushed grain on the bezel and case are going in the same direction. Once you have the bezel and bezel screws in position, take two pieces of scotch tape to hold the screws and bezel on the watch and in the right position. The turn the watch over and put the case back in the correct position. The put place all the case back screws on position. The gently screw then in. The case back screws grab the bezel screws and hold the watch together. Don't over tighten the screws or you'll have issues. That's all there is to it.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Thank so much !
Well , now I've bought a Diver 3.0 by a member for use to the sea. But I like too much this AP. And is not a watch only for dive or swimm , so , the Rolex Submariner is a watch only for the sea
After bought the V3.5 of Diver , I think to buy this watch , maybe new or if I'm lucky in M2M section.
Again thanx for the explanation.

Junio M.


?Gathering XXV with a Hell's Phone

 

[cuddilyteddy]

Amazing for your first review. Thanks and wear it well.