New AP 26240 with 4401 Super Clone movement is coming

[greekgod]

DP dials may have better colors for some models but typically the tapisseries look very different (I.e. off) vs the gen.

Much appreciate your insight

 

[legend]

Legend would you have some inside news regarding dials for Ap26240?

DP is no longer producing dials as per my knowledge. Maybe SW or custom is the way to go, other than the obvious gen dial choice.

 

[Nomolos]

DP is no longer producing dials as per my knowledge. Maybe SW or custom is the way to go, other than the obvious gen dial choice.

after that, someone will ask which is the most gen looking dial besides the gen?

 

[legend]

after that, someone will ask which is the most gen looking dial besides the gen?

Honestly the stock dial isn’t bad. Guys shouldn’t be complaining about minor details if there is such a huge price discrepancy between gen and rep.

 

[tosoboso]

My wife doesn’t know anything about watches. When I showed her both watches side by side about 3 feet away she pointed the sub dials right away.

The stock rep is a great watch don’t get me wrong but the Gen dial and GEN DW is a different story.

In my option the only tell when the watch is on the wrist is the sub dials. You can see it from a distance.

Side by side there are a couple of more differences that in my honest opinion cannot be seen on the wrist.

The first difference is the color of the dial. The rep is darker in most lighting. In indoor bright light or outdoor sunlight the rep has a slight purple tone shade to it.

The second difference is the “Audemars Piguet” logo. The Gen one is kind of floating above the dial like it is barely touching it which makes it POP. The rep is sunked in more.

The third difference is the 3D look of the squares on the dial. Also some of the squares are not in the right position especially near the sub dials.

The fourth difference. In the rep, the DW is not very clear. When I first got the rep, for a minute I thought the DW is misaligned but it wasn’t.
In some lighting I feel like I can’t see the full number from the top part of the number.
The GEN DW font size is a bit bigger compared to the rep DW.
The DW square hole on the GEN dial is slightly bigger.
So this makes the GEN DW very clear compared to the rep.

This is what I can see with my naked eyes and only when both watches are side by side and I have to concentrate to find these differences.

I really enjoyed the stock rep blue dial watch but never had the guts to wear it in front of my friends with GEN APs. After I got the Franken, the sub dials are a big tell in my opinion.

Today I can wear my Franken with full confidence.

Again this is a great rep, enjoy it !!

Thanks to @legend for sourcing the GEN Dial and GEN DW in NEW condition (Very hard to find them NEW) and for building this great Franken.

I’m a fan of your wife. She certainly knows her APs. On a more serious note, I too consult my wife on my APs and I’ve never been disappointed with her insights

 

[love_in_jumbo]

I’m a fan of your wife. She certainly knows her APs. On a more serious note, I too consult my wife on my APs and I’ve never been disappointed with her insights

Surprizingly same here. She picks the one what I will like most eventually really quick.

But I have to buy at least 4-5 silimar models

 

[Reaps]

Surprizingly same here. She picks the one what I will like most eventually really quick.

But I have to buy at least 4-5 silimar models

Co opting your wife and getting her to chose and involving her in the watch selection process is smart, as it helps ease the financial pain of the hobby for them since they feel like they're also making decisions

 

[greekgod]

DP is no longer producing dials as per my knowledge. Maybe SW or custom is the way to go, other than the obvious gen dial choice.

Thanks .. I hear a lot this word 'custom' these days... My question is what does it exactly mean? Are the watchmakers in China today capable of producing their own dials? I was speaking to a dealer once (aorund the time I messaged you regarding 5712) and asked him about the dial. He said it will be a custom dial and will be produced when I pay. He said he didn't have any photos to show me, because how can there be photos of a custom product until its made!

 

[CrazyOCD.RepWearer]

There are Chinese dial makers that can produce custom dials to specifications. No I have not gone down this road. Yes, I have seen these makers' ads on Ali Express and the like. Some might require bulk orders, else higher cost per individual.

 

[CrazyOCD.RepWearer]

If you can find a $350 4130 show me the way

Just found this: https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...t-Automatic-Watch-Movement_1601092827727.html , $160 ea, unbranded.

Skeleton version: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Super-4802-Skeleton-Replace-Kit-Movement_1601107940505.html

4131: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-4131-Automatic-No-Carved-Watch_1601278976383.html

 

[CrazyOCD.RepWearer]

Thanks .. I hear a lot this word 'custom' these days... My question is what does it exactly mean? Are the watchmakers in China today capable of producing their own dials? I was speaking to a dealer once (aorund the time I messaged you regarding 5712) and asked him about the dial. He said it will be a custom dial and will be produced when I pay. He said he didn't have any photos to show me, because how can there be photos of a custom product until its made!

These guys seem to be SW ? Vanbaol: https://gzsililan.en.alibaba.com/index.html

Here is their 26240 green dial: https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...Watch-Movement-Accessories_1601427795659.html

15510: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Top-Quality-SW-Watch-Dial-hand_1601041559090.html

There's another store too, that has 26240 and some AP dials (along with RM, Patek, etc): https://cn1574703002dcwk.en.alibaba...html?spm=a2700.shop_plgr.88.20.3db37121iT2ZtO

 

[Rangerfan]

These guys seem to be SW ? Vanbaol: https://gzsililan.en.alibaba.com/index.html

Here is their 26240 green dial: https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...Watch-Movement-Accessories_1601427795659.html

15510: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Top-Quality-SW-Watch-Dial-hand_1601041559090.html

There's another store too, that has 26240 and some AP dials (along with RM, Patek, etc): https://cn1574703002dcwk.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-951423133/品牌表盘.html?spm=a2700.shop_plgr.88.20.3db37121iT2ZtO

TBH, I am not sure the green dial there is any better (or any different) than the stock APSF dial, which still seems pretty good to me.

The sub dial ring definitely seems like a big “tell” when you have super-enlarged macro shots of the dial. But when I saw one of these watches live with the sub dials in actual size, it seemed much less concerning or noticeable, especially when not next to a genuine 26240.

I think the issue with the APSF dial may be the depth of the sub dials, which from some angles (especially straight above) makes the metal boarder of the sub dial disappear a little. From other angles it does not seem as noticeable to me.

I am beginning to think that unless you put a genuine dial on on the 26240, any person, like @legend, who owns a gen, and any person, also like @legend, who has spent a lot of time around and studied gen 26240s (a relatively small group of people in the world) probably be able to tell something is a little off. That may be the case no matter how good the sub dials get. Of course, in the end, there likely will be some doubt if the “something off” is that the watch is a rep or just because of product variances.

 

[CrazyOCD.RepWearer]

TBH, I am not sure the green dial there is any better (or any different) than the stock APSF dial, which still seems pretty good to me.

The sub dial ring definitely seems like a big “tell” when you have super-enlarged macro shots of the dial. But when I saw one of these watches live with the sub dials in actual size, it seemed much less concerning or noticeable, especially when not next to a genuine 26240.

I think the issue with the APSF dial may be the depth of the sub dials, which from some angles (especially straight above) makes the metal boarder of the sub dial disappear a little. From other angles it does not seem as noticeable to me.

I am beginning to think that unless you put a genuine dial on on the 26240, any person, like @legend, who owns a gen, and any person, also like @legend, who has spent a lot of time around and studied gen 26240s (a relatively small group of people in the world) probably be able to tell something is a little off. That may be the case no matter how good the sub dials get. Of course, in the end, there likely will be some doubt if the “something off” is that the watch is a rep or just because of product variances.

I agree - I'd only buy an SW dial if it was guaranteed to be as good as the stock APSF dial and had straight hour markers, haha. The subdial ring on my 26240 is honestly not that big a deal to me. If it were accurate, great. As it is now, I'm too busy staring at the rest of my dial than to fuss with the polished subdial ring. As you said, it's there - but depends on the viewing angle. Not sure if it's the depth of the subdial as opposed to the subdial ring bevel though.

 

[Rangerfan]

I agree - I'd only buy an SW dial if it was guaranteed to be as good as the stock APSF dial and had straight hour markers, haha. The subdial ring on my 26240 is honestly not that big a deal to me. If it were accurate, great. As it is now, I'm too busy staring at the rest of my dial than to fuss with the polished subdial ring. As you said, it's there - but depends on the viewing angle. Not sure if it's the depth of the subdial as opposed to the subdial ring bevel though.

“I'd only buy an SW dial if it . . . had straight hour markers, haha. ‘“

Don’t be so demanding for close to $1,000 (the watch, not the dial).

 

[Rangerfan]

DP is no longer producing dials as per my knowledge. Maybe SW or custom is the way to go, other than the obvious gen dial choice.

Do you think either woult be able to manage pulling off close to a gen clone at a reasonable price? The Tapisserie pattern seems to be really hard to duplicate (not to mention getting the color down). It would be a great option if it was really possible.

 

[happyguy1688]

issue of ceramic bracelet solved? seem no more posting of complaints

 

[legend]

issue of ceramic bracelet solved? seem no more posting of complaints

Or nobody buying.

 

[legend]

Do you think either woult be able to manage pulling off close to a gen clone at a reasonable price? The Tapisserie pattern seems to be really hard to duplicate (not to mention getting the color down). It would be a great option if it was really possible.

I think the only gen-like dial is the gen dial. Any custom dial maker will not be able to replicate the AP dial perfectly due to the different crafting process. But to be honest they can look visually alike.. in real life it won't be a concern. Even if everything looks like the genuine, it will still not be an actual AP watch. You cannot replicate the provenance and pedigree no matter what. So for a sub $1000 watch, I would say the factory did a fantastic job. The watch should just be enjoyed for what it is, and members should be thankful for its release instead of complaining about the minute details.

 

[CrazyOCD.RepWearer]

“I'd only buy an SW dial if it . . . had straight hour markers, haha. ‘“

Don’t be so demanding for close to $1,000 (the watch, not the dial).

I vote with my dollars. If it’s not what I want, I don’t buy it - Simple. Whether it’s $5, $500 or $50,000.

If a custom dial is custom made, it should fit the specifications. Sorry, but my specifications rarely are “close enough.”

I’m enjoying my APSF 26240. I’ve changed the crystal. I’d love to change the bezel screws, if I can manage to get them to fit.

Yes, in this age we are all truly lucky to not be wearing ticking movement bombs wrapped in pot metal. However anyone who believed close enough was good enough, would have been ecstatic with their A7750 powered AP ROCs and need not have asked for more.

This hobby, for me, has been getting more for spending less (and sometimes getting more just meant access without waiting lists). We each have our needs and wants. Some had gone so far to get custom CNC watches not too long ago. My standards (thankfully) aren’t someone else’s.

 

[Prizon]

I think the only gen-like dial is the gen dial. Any custom dial maker will not be able to replicate the AP dial perfectly due to the different crafting process. But to be honest they can look visually alike.. in real life it won't be a concern. Even if everything looks like the genuine, it will still not be an actual AP watch. You cannot replicate the provenance and pedigree no matter what. So for a sub $1000 watch, I would say the factory did a fantastic job. The watch should just be enjoyed for what it is, and members should be thankful for its release instead of complaining about the minute details.

agreed. This goes for other useless "mods" like "gen spec" brushing, screw refinishing, and other up sells.

enjoy it as is