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

[legend]

Comitting a big faux pas here, but no answer in the other thread for a few days so here comes a cross post:

Never been much of a fan of the Offshore line. However, there is one I do find appealing and looks less bulky. A friend has the gen version, bought over a decade ago mind you, it is the Safari. Stunning watch. Are there any reps that come close, let's say like the recent 15400/15500 reps which are not far off when compared to their gen siblings?

Short answer is no. There are just too many flaws with the Offshore replicas, primarily because they are built upon an entirely different movement.

 

[Dienekes]

Hi guys,

I'm getting a ZF 15500 V3 in white, however I've seen that the dial is considerably more flat compared to gen and a good solution is to get DP Dial on it. Anyone has experience with DP dials? How to even start to order one?

Have you seen it in person? If not, and this comes from my experience, in person white/silver dial in ZF's 15500 V3 is not as flat as most pictures suggest. It plays with light nicely. The sunburst effect on this rep is nowhere as prominent as in gen, obviously, but it looks much better in real life than in pictures. In fact, I couldn't capture how good it looks and believe me, I tried I do enjoy it. A lot. Remembering, that it's a rep and it always could be better.

 

[GeneralRep]

Short answer is no. There are just too many flaws with the Offshore replicas, primarily because they are built upon an entirely different movement.

Thank you. Will pass on those.

 

[speedywombat]

Have you seen it in person? If not, and this comes from my experience, in person white/silver dial in ZF's 15500 V3 is not as flat as most pictures suggest. It plays with light nicely. The sunburst effect on this rep is nowhere as prominent as in gen, obviously, but it looks much better in real life than in pictures. In fact, I couldn't capture how good it looks and believe me, I tried I do enjoy it. A lot. Remembering, that it's a rep and it always could be better.

Yes, I received it and while it does look nice, it is juuust a bit too flat for my liking unfortunately.

While on topic, can anyone refer to a TD that would be happy to procure DP dial? As I've contacted several but usually they don't want to bother.

Only Hont tried, but he said that DP is sold out as well

 

[RollyAP]

Yes, I received it and while it does look nice, it is juuust a bit too flat for my liking unfortunately.

While on topic, can anyone refer to a TD that would be happy to procure DP dial? As I've contacted several but usually they don't want to bother.

Only Hont tried, but he said that DP is sold out as well

Try @CTime

 

[mcboom]

@AMF modded 15202 just arrived, well worth the wait

 

[zerodreamy]

I've spent a fair bit of time researching other brands, but I have landed in the AP camp as of late.. I've been doing what reading I can to learn more (Legend has been really helpful in his down to earth assessments) but there always seems to be something a little unquantifiable..

I've more or less settled on going for a 15500 rep but the prevailing question or debate seems to be regarding dial accuracy. Either in terms of colour or construction. The only way to get both is gen, which is to be expected, I suppose.

I love a blue dial for RO, there is no way around it.

For the 15500, ZF's V3 (I've heard CN-based sellers refer to it as V2?) in particular, I've heard good things about their dial in blue.

I've never really seen gen vs rep dial comparisons, though! I've looked at gen videos online but while there were perhaps some very minute shade or sheen differences compared to a ZF version, it didn't seem obvious and it was close enough that I wasn't sure if bright light is where you'd see the gen dial shine. It was very difficult to discern. If anything, looking close at the patterning found at the dial's base (rather than it's elevated squares) was easier.

So my question: is the new ZF's blue dial really as close in person as I am thinking it is based on flawed video?

People tend to default to the black because black can obfuscate well, but I don't really like how in certain lights it looks a little anemic.. less black more dark grey.. so to me as long as the blue has that kind of blue/silver sheen and a closer construction, it is great.

For example, the DP dials seem incredibly flashy, maybe that is how the gen sunburst is, but the lack of depth from the stubby square pattern seems like such a terrible flaw/tell to have. Kills the mod for me.

 

[Winni]

@AMF modded 15202 just arrived, well worth the wait

@mcboom modded? What was modded and is different from one coming from the factory? (I got my ZF 15202 on they way now...)

BTW, does the 15202 has instant date change?

 

[mcboom]

@mcboom modded? What was modded and is different from one coming from the factory? (I got my ZF 15202 on they way now...)

BTW, does the 15202 has instant date change?

Mods:
Hand base shaved down and improved width
Bevel, brush and polish case and bracelet, make the bracelet feel smooth and nice
Silence the rotor (due to Miyota base movement)
Bezel screws realigned and polished
Alignment of markers and hands
Dial rework to be better and more correct in colour to gen

Yes instant date change

You can refer to this thread

Updated Fully Modded 15202ST

Happy to announce new upgrade that recently was developed. It is still based on ZF base model with further mods to improve the watch to more how it should be like. Mods performed as on v1 Hand base shaved down and improved width Bevel, brush and polish case and bracelet, make the bracelet feel...

forum.replica-watch.info

 

[Winni]

Mods:
Hand base shaved down and improved width
Bevel, brush and polish case and bracelet, make the bracelet feel smooth and nice
Silence the rotor (due to Miyota base movement)
Bezel screws realigned and polished
Alignment of markers and hands
Dial rework to be better and more correct in colour to gen

Yes instant date change

You can refer to this thread

Updated Fully Modded 15202ST

Happy to announce new upgrade that recently was developed. It is still based on ZF base model with further mods to improve the watch to more how it should be like. Mods performed as on v1 Hand base shaved down and improved width Bevel, brush and polish case and bracelet, make the bracelet feel...

forum.replica-watch.info

okay nice, so the mods do not have anything to do with the instant date change ?

(just afraid now because i receveid my 15400 v2 from ZF with the "fake and wanna be clone movement" and i don't know if this slow date change starting at 10 p.m. is making me unhappy or bothering me longterm...)

 

[mcboom]

okay nice, so the mods do not have anything to do with the instant date change ?

(just afraid now because i receveid my 15400 v2 from ZF with the "fake and wanna be clone movement" and i don't know if this slow date change starting at 10 p.m. is making me unhappy or bothering me longterm...)

I don't think the date change has been modded, it's instant from the factory. I believe the 16202 date change requires modding to be instant..

 

[Winni]

I don't think the date change has been modded, it's instant from the factory. I believe the 16202 date change requires modding to be instant..

just saw this youtube-video

about the 15202 ZF and did check again... Date starts changing in the video at 11:15 and the 15202 from ZF has the "Miyota 9015 Modded to Look like Calibre 2121 with decorated bridges & rotor like Genuine AP Calibre 2121" so also not a real clone movement :-( wish i new this before ordering... The 16202 has "Custom Made A7121 Movement at 28800vph (which has same 2 gear setting spots and quick date adjusting function same as genuine)" ... wondering if this has instant date change then...

 

[GeneralRep]

Recently received the latest iteration of the APSF 15400. I have no complaints, looks stunning and for the price compared to gen really I can only be a happy fella. Having said that, I gather a gen blue dial and some polishing of the bracelet, case and crown will take it to the next level.
Is there anyone here in this parish that could provide such services?

 

[Winni]

Recently received the latest iteration of the APSF 15400. I have no complaints, looks stunning and for the price compared to gen really I can only be a happy fella. Having said that, I gather a gen blue dial and some polishing of the bracelet, case and crown will take it to the next level.
Is there anyone here in this parish that could provide such services?

what about the instant date change?

 

[GeneralRep]

what about the instant date change?

Yes that too, I thought this was not possible to mod?

 

[legend]

I don't think the date change has been modded, it's instant from the factory. I believe the 16202 date change requires modding to be instant..

I believe you’re mistaken.
There is no way that the 15202 or 16202 has instant date change.

Definition

Instant date change means that the date does not transit at all but changes instantly within a second. So for example on 13th at 2359hrs it’ll show 13 fully on the date. Then at 0000hrs on 14th it’ll show 14 instantly. There is no rollover transition showing half of 13 and half of 14. There is no way that the rep 15202 or 16202 has this.

 

[Winni]

I believe you’re mistaken.
There is no way that the 15202 or 16202 has instant date change.

Definition

Instant date change means that the date does not transit at all but changes instantly within a second. So for example on 13th at 2359hrs it’ll show 13 fully on the date. Then at 0000hrs on 14th it’ll show 14 instantly. There is no rollover transition showing half of 13 and half of 14. There is no way that the rep 15202 or 16202 has this.

yes, you're right @legend unfortunately... as seen also in the youtube video i posted with the time stamp...shows that the transition starts at 11:15 p.m.

So this will be my second AP from ZF which has this issue and so i'm gonna have to live with it or not... take it or leave it i guess.

But my 15500 v3 and the 15703 v2 both also from ZF do not have this issue.... Date changes +/- 2 minutes around 00:00

 

[Homex]

I've spent a fair bit of time researching other brands, but I have landed in the AP camp as of late.. I've been doing what reading I can to learn more (Legend has been really helpful in his down to earth assessments) but there always seems to be something a little unquantifiable..

I've more or less settled on going for a 15500 rep but the prevailing question or debate seems to be regarding dial accuracy. Either in terms of colour or construction. The only way to get both is gen, which is to be expected, I suppose.

I love a blue dial for RO, there is no way around it.

For the 15500, ZF's V3 (I've heard CN-based sellers refer to it as V2?) in particular, I've heard good things about their dial in blue.

I've never really seen gen vs rep dial comparisons, though! I've looked at gen videos online but while there were perhaps some very minute shade or sheen differences compared to a ZF version, it didn't seem obvious and it was close enough that I wasn't sure if bright light is where you'd see the gen dial shine. It was very difficult to discern. If anything, looking close at the patterning found at the dial's base (rather than it's elevated squares) was easier.

So my question: is the new ZF's blue dial really as close in person as I am thinking it is based on flawed video?

People tend to default to the black because black can obfuscate well, but I don't really like how in certain lights it looks a little anemic.. less black more dark grey.. so to me as long as the blue has that kind of blue/silver sheen and a closer construction, it is great.

For example, the DP dials seem incredibly flashy, maybe that is how the gen sunburst is, but the lack of depth from the stubby square pattern seems like such a terrible flaw/tell to have. Kills the mod for me.

I have a @legend modded 15500 blue dial and it is amazing! Legend is a great, honest guy and i have compared it to a gen in store (not with my rep on the wrist but back to back) and it is very hard to distinguish the difference on hand and visually after his mods.

I keep toying with the idea of selling it as i only wear my watches on holiday in safe places which won’t be until next year again and have come as close as taking tagged pictures but when i put it on, I back out - it is that good.

I hope it’s allowed but here is a wristy in Italy 2 weeks ago with dial mod

 

[Pater_Pen]

I thought the 15703 V2 from ZF has the extremely bad date transition of around 2 hours?

 

[CTime]

Try @CTime

Yes, I received it and while it does look nice, it is juuust a bit too flat for my liking unfortunately.

While on topic, can anyone refer to a TD that would be happy to procure DP dial? As I've contacted several but usually they don't want to bother.

Only Hont tried, but he said that DP is sold out as well

Yeah but I don't consider DP a good substitute dial, SW and buff are all better than it