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

[zerodreamy]

The key functional difference between the gen rotor and rep rotor is the weight. In automatic watches the rotor serves to help to charge the watch power reserve through oscillation or spinning. The rotor weight serves to facilitate this process.
If you’re after only appearances it is rather pointless to replate the rotor imho as there are other tells looking at the caseback. Just enjoy the watch as it is and don’t worry too much about the details. It’s a lot of watch you’re getting for $500 and if you choose to upgrade the parts it helps to know if it’s worth the expense according to yourself. It all depends on what you’re after.

Thank you for this insight and response. Yes I’d imagine there’s some difference between weight of solid gold piece compared to plated imitation, but supposedly not to the degree it impacts performance? Or perhaps it does and I wouldn’t realize, frankly.

As for your second point, agreed and understood. Mostly just curious if there would be some technical complication I would be opening the watch up to by replating one of its components.

The effort to try and dump enough time and resources to make my $500 watch look legitimately identical to the original is a fool’s errand. Just want to know if getting closer to the original’s colour in this way would pose a problem I don’t have enough knowledge or experience to foresee.

 

[mcboom]

Thank you for this insight and response. Yes I’d imagine there’s some difference between weight of solid gold piece compared to plated imitation, but supposedly not to the degree it impacts performance? Or perhaps it does and I wouldn’t realize, frankly.

As for your second point, agreed and understood. Mostly just curious if there would be some technical complication I would be opening the watch up to by replating one of its components.

The effort to try and dump enough time and resources to make my $500 watch look legitimately identical to the original is a fool’s errand. Just want to know if getting closer to the original’s colour in this way would pose a problem I don’t have enough knowledge or experience to foresee.

Just a thought but wouldn't your money be better spent on the dial since that's the most obvious tell?

 

[Fusible]

Would someone mind commenting on my question in regards to some of the colored 15710s produced by BP, specifically if the dial/DW are any good at all and worth pursuing for a build? Cannot find much information on them if at all.

 

[zerodreamy]

Just a thought but wouldn't your money be better spent on the dial since that's the most obvious tell?

These aren’t mutually exclusive ideas or actions. But I understand the sentiment entirely.

For me this is for fun and personal fancy. I could more than happily live with current ZF dial, replate a rotor, and wait for the day that a really good aftermarket blue comes out or I can source a genuine dial.

Not so much about making something that nobody can ever pick apart ASAP 5impossible task to begin with unless I buy gen), but about making something I like.

To me, if I can get the rotor to look like that colour it is both closer to original and also something I personally enjoy.

I’ve heard SW is making/has made 15500 dials, for example. Don’t know much about them/haven’t seen much of them, but they could turn out awesome!

 

[mcboom]

These aren’t mutually exclusive ideas or actions. But I understand the sentiment entirely.

For me this is for fun and personal fancy. I could more than happily live with current ZF dial, replate a rotor, and wait for the day that a really good aftermarket blue comes out or I can source a genuine dial.

Not so much about making something that nobody can ever pick apart ASAP 5impossible task to begin with unless I buy gen), but about making something I like.

To me, if I can get the rotor to look like that colour it is both closer to original and also something I personally enjoy.

I’ve heard SW is making/has made 15500 dials, for example. Don’t know much about them/haven’t seen much of them, but they could turn out awesome!

@legend and @AMF also mod the dials to look more gen like I believe

 

[Salty777]

someone had said APSF is releasing a tungsten 15400? not sure if its true or not but they had said flandad on reptimebst had info on it

 

[legend]

@legend and @AMF also mod the dials to look more gen like I believe

I’ve heard the same rumor but I’m unsure if it’s true.

 

[Jkwatches]

Is there a difference between the 15500ST dials, and 15500OR dials?

I have a ZF v2 royal oak 15500st and have been looking to go the franken route over the modded dial i currently have. Are these dials interchangeable or not quite?

Thank you!

 

[Autobús]

The most glaring problem with that plan would be the applied AP logo and applied markers are rose gold on an OR dial and white gold on a gen ST dial.

 

[kidcreole]

someone had said APSF is releasing a tungsten 15400? not sure if its true or not but they had said flandad on reptimebst had info on it

As posted by @Tompa elsewhere.
Weighted 15400

 

[incognito]

Newbie question. Is it possible to install 15500 original genuine or any aftermarket leather or strap rubber bracelet/strap on 15500 RG APSF? What are my options? Which brand do you recommend?

Apologies if this has been asked already somewhere. Im sure it was. I searched far and near and could not find any info.

Thanks.

 

[Tompa]

Newbie question. Is it possible to install 15500 original genuine or any aftermarket leather or strap rubber bracelet/strap on 15500 RG APSF? What are my options? Which brand do you recommend?

Apologies if this has been asked already somewhere. Im sure it was. I searched far and near and could not find any info.

Thanks.

Yes its possible, But you need 2 sets of endlinks(plots) for it to conect to the case. But you can buy this from ex ebay

 

[Fusible]

Anyone have thoughts on these new releases?

 

[Replover6]

Hello - looking to purchase a 15500 and unclear whether I should go the ZF v2 route or APSF? Is there a clear winner?

 

[Replover6]

Apologies for the double post. Meant ZF v3 or APSF.

 

[Shea9798]

Looking for Audemars Royal Oak 41 Steel / Gray - 50th Anniversary can anyone point me in the right direction to go for the ZF Version or APSF? I was looking on buying one off of puretime.

 

[Shea9798]

Hello, looking for someone to service an Audemar is there anyone in this thread who’s done this before?

 

[TESLA760]

Hello, looking for someone to service an Audemar is there anyone in this thread who’s done this before?

What is wrong with your watch ?

 

[speedywombat]

Hi all, what do you guys think of APSF 15400 V3 new release? Seems like the dial is very promising with just the right amount of sunburst.

 

[speedywombat]

Another photo from another TD, different strap, same dial.