The AP questions thread (All the questions you want to ask about AP but were afraid to)

[MilgaussGV]

Was there ever a rep of the Amsterdam Diamond Centre?

 

[Mr Bean]

Hey everyone!
I'm new here so apologies if this is a dumb question.
I love royal oaks, specifically the 15202 but it looks like that rep is too thick. I am interested in a15500 and it seems that the ZF or ASPF versions are the most well done. I have seen and handled a couple rep royal oaks in the past but I have no idea from what factory they were from. One thing I noticed was how awful the bracelet felt. The edges and corners were sharp and the bracelet movement felt cheap. Is that an issue with these? My hunch is that the ones I've handled were just horrible versions but thought I'd ask the question.

 

[grillbrill]

Hey everyone!
I'm new here so apologies if this is a dumb question.
I love royal oaks, specifically the 15202 but it looks like that rep is too thick. I am interested in a15500 and it seems that the ZF or ASPF versions are the most well done. I have seen and handled a couple rep royal oaks in the past but I have no idea from what factory they were from. One thing I noticed was how awful the bracelet felt. The edges and corners were sharp and the bracelet movement felt cheap. Is that an issue with these? My hunch is that the ones I've handled were just horrible versions but thought I'd ask the question.

Why do you think the 15202 rep is too thick?

 

[Dienekes]

Hey everyone!
I'm new here so apologies if this is a dumb question.
I love royal oaks, specifically the 15202 but it looks like that rep is too thick. I am interested in a15500 and it seems that the ZF or ASPF versions are the most well done. I have seen and handled a couple rep royal oaks in the past but I have no idea from what factory they were from. One thing I noticed was how awful the bracelet felt. The edges and corners were sharp and the bracelet movement felt cheap. Is that an issue with these? My hunch is that the ones I've handled were just horrible versions but thought I'd ask the question.

I own only one AP RO 15500 rep (ZF's, the latest and greatest - v3), but I'd say, in my case, the bracelet is tad sharpish. Can't feel the sharpness on the wrist though (wears great), so I don't mind. I don't expect gen softness and quality at 1% of gen price though. Plus, as far as I know, some gen ROs are not as soft to the touch as the price might suggest either, so... As for the bracelet's movement, I reckon there is nothing cheap about it. However, and this was brought up here lately, some people just don't like RO's bracelets in general.

 

[daytonadude]

Anyone here know if there is any connection between JJF and the shutdown JF factory?

Lady Royal Oak 33mm SS JJF 1:1 Best Edition Black Dial on SS Bracelet ETA Quartz

puretimewatch.io

Did you ever find out about this?

 

[Nirado]

There are 2 parts to my answer:

1. In the gen, the case differs slightly and bracelet taper and thickness are both slightly different. The colors for the blue, grey and even black are slightly different too. Yes rotors are different for the 50th anniversary models but have since reverted back to the 15500 rotors for the 2023 production batches.

2. In the rep, the 15500 and 15510 cases and bracelets are exactly the same. the DP black, blue and grey dials replicate the gen counterparts well. Rotors and movement decorations are well replicated too.

I hear DP dial a lot for AP, what are those?

 

[legend]

I hear DP dial a lot for AP, what are those?

Just a maker producing aftermarket dials for AP reps.

 

[CutePinkKitty]

1. Does the ZF 15510 50th anniversary have the same cloned movement like the ZF 15500 v3 ?

2. Is the white dial on both the same as well?

 

[legend]

1. Does the ZF 15510 50th anniversary have the same cloned movement like the ZF 15500 v3 ?

2. Is the white dial on both the same as well?

1. Decoration and rotor may differ but movement is essentially the same.
2. For the ZF, yes both are the same and both are inaccurate visually vs the gen silver dial for either model.

 

[CutePinkKitty]

1. Decoration and rotor may differ but movement is essentially the same.
2. For the ZF, yes both are the same and both are inaccurate visually vs the gen silver dial for either model.

In that case the TD has the description wrong then for the 15510 50th anniversary.

It says Miyota base.

 

[legend]

In that case the TD has the description wrong then for the 15510 50th anniversary.

It says Miyota base.

Then TD is right and I was wrong. I was thinking of the APSF 15510 with clone movement and thought ZF has the same.

 

[CutePinkKitty]

Then TD is right and I was wrong. I was thinking of the APSF 15510 with clone movement and thought ZF has the same.

How gen like is the APS 15510 vs ZF 15500 on everything?

Which would you pick?

 

[legend]

How gen like is the APS 15510 vs ZF 15500 on everything?

Which would you pick?

If I am given a choice between the two I will go for the ZF 15500 and when opportune presents itself I’ll swap out the dial for a gen one, and same for the movement plates and call it good. The rep 15510 has a different case and bracelet profile and thickness from the gen.

 

[Dienekes]

Hello @legend ,


Could you tell me please, how the 4302 clone is regulated? Is really hard to perform? The other day a watch smith turned me down and said he won't service my ZF's 15500 V3 because he doesn't know how to regulate it's balance wheel. Maybe it's for the best, but still I would like to be able to provide some basic info to the next specialist on my search for a service. Is it free sprung or plain Jane like 9015 etc.?

Kind regards,

Radosław

 

[CutePinkKitty]

If I am given a choice between the two I will go for the ZF 15500 and when opportune presents itself I’ll swap out the dial for a gen one, and same for the movement plates and call it good. The rep 15510 has a different case and bracelet profile and thickness from the gen.

What’s wrong with the plates?
Are there no gen like dials to be had?

 

[leo6929]

So Trusty advertises the ZF 15510 with a A4302 movement and not a Miyota... which is it..?

AP0776E - Royal Oak 41mm 15510 SS/SS Black ZF A4302 [AP0776E] - $548.00 : Trusty Time Watch, Your Trusty Watch Shop

Trusty Time Watch AP0776E - Royal Oak 41mm 15510 SS/SS Black ZF A4302 [AP0776E] - ZF Factory AP Ref.15510 50th Anniversary Royal Oak 41mm Stainless Steel MOVEMENT: Asian Clone A4302 Automatic with decorated bridges & rotor like Genuine AP Calibre 4302 CASE DIAMETER: 41mm THICKNESS: 10.5mm DIAL...

trustytime888.io

 

[CutePinkKitty]

So Trusty advertises the ZF 15510 with a A4302 movement and not a Miyota... which is it..?

AP0776E - Royal Oak 41mm 15510 SS/SS Black ZF A4302 [AP0776E] - $548.00 : Trusty Time Watch, Your Trusty Watch Shop

Trusty Time Watch AP0776E - Royal Oak 41mm 15510 SS/SS Black ZF A4302 [AP0776E] - ZF Factory AP Ref.15510 50th Anniversary Royal Oak 41mm Stainless Steel MOVEMENT: Asian Clone A4302 Automatic with decorated bridges & rotor like Genuine AP Calibre 4302 CASE DIAMETER: 41mm THICKNESS: 10.5mm DIAL...

trustytime888.io

So typical of Chinese accuracy.
According to the seller I trust he said ZF is miyota. Apsf is the clone for 15510.

 

[Dienekes]

So Trusty advertises the ZF 15510 with a A4302 movement and not a Miyota... which is it..?

AP0776E - Royal Oak 41mm 15510 SS/SS Black ZF A4302 [AP0776E] - $548.00 : Trusty Time Watch, Your Trusty Watch Shop

Trusty Time Watch AP0776E - Royal Oak 41mm 15510 SS/SS Black ZF A4302 [AP0776E] - ZF Factory AP Ref.15510 50th Anniversary Royal Oak 41mm Stainless Steel MOVEMENT: Asian Clone A4302 Automatic with decorated bridges & rotor like Genuine AP Calibre 4302 CASE DIAMETER: 41mm THICKNESS: 10.5mm DIAL...

trustytime888.io

The position of balance wheel tells that it is not an A4302. Looks more like the one in ZF v2, which is Miyota. My TD lists it as a 9015.

 

[legend]

I wouldn't ask questions like that if I —supposedly— owned a multi-million $$$ AP gen collection...
But...

That is why I never ask questions like that.

 

[legend]

Hello @legend ,


Could you tell me please, how the 4302 clone is regulated? Is really hard to perform? The other day a watch smith turned me down and said he won't service my ZF's 15500 V3 because he doesn't know how to regulate it's balance wheel. Maybe it's for the best, but still I would like to be able to provide some basic info to the next specialist on my search for a service. Is it free sprung or plain Jane like 9015 etc.?

Kind regards,

Radosław

I can service and regulate it for you if you want.