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

[TingelTangelTom]

Do I understand that you’re asking me for a measurement between the plots on a gen fc diver? Distance between outer or inner edges please. Thank you.

Distance between the inner Edges would be perfect.

 

[legend]

Hi Legend,

i ordered a bespoke Strap for this Watch now - and it wont fit.

The Distance between the 2 Plots is 9.15 mm on the Watchhead - and 9.7 mm on the Strap side with a metal Insert, so i can not just move the Plots for fitment.

The maker of the Strap asked the maker of the metal-Insert, and both share the Opinion, that their Product fit on Genuine AP Divers and that the fault is on my side, because its just a Replica with Differences to the Genuine Watch.

I would kindly ask you, if you could provide help here, and - if possible - meassure this Distance on your Gen Watch, and even better, mybe could post or send a picture of that meassurement, so that i can have the Strapmaker come up with a Solution.

To make it short and simple for you:

Both your strapmaker and metal insert maker are wrong, and if they work together, it explains a lot.

Firstly, on the rep divers, most of them take gen straps, some with minor mods needed, but gen straps do fit rep divers on the whole. There is no need to measure the gen case plots distance actually.

Second, if you have to know, the distance between the plots (inner edge to inner edge) on the gen diver is very close to 9.15mm. If it is 9.7mm, it could be for the 44mm ROO. The rep straps are well made and the dimensions are as per gen. You can easily show the measurement on a rep strap and tell them that it is the correct measurement, and you won't be wrong.

 

[TingelTangelTom]

Thanks Legend for your time and effort.

 

[Artyfowl]

Ouch. Have I had a shocker here?

Is there any specific movement / factory AP ROO chrono that I should have gone for instead? I’m still awaiting QC so potentially can change

Been in touch with a UK watch repairer / service. I’m going to send it to him when the watch arrives and he will service, adjust and add an eta Swiss mainspring to the movement. Hopefully prolong its life a bit.

 

[legend]

Been in touch with a UK watch repairer / service. I’m going to send it to him when the watch arrives and he will service, adjust and add an eta Swiss mainspring to the movement. Hopefully prolong its life a bit.

There are no mods available today which can make the 7750 sec@12 movement totally reliable. You can mitigate the issues a little yes but even with a service, Swiss mainspring, teflon top plate mod and some eta parts replacement done on a specific rep ROO I worked on, the watch still ended up stopping. I am not here to make you feel bad, but rather, I’m just prepping you for the possible eventuality ahead.
Having said that, lots of members here have owned their 7750 sec@12 watch for years without issues. It’s a hit or miss with this watch I think but the general consensus is that it’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off when you least expect it. Just be aware of what you’re getting into. Your movement may still run well for months or years ahead, there are many examples of watches with the same movement doing so.

 

[Artyfowl]

Hi all, had my QC through for a dealer clocks 15500. Never had an AP before but the bezel screw caps look all over the place.

Would you say this is cause for rejection or are they easily re aligned?

Thanks

 

[leo6929]

Easily adjustable with a tiny screwdriver. You have to be very, very careful though, as to not scratch anything.

 

[nathanwind]

Easily adjustable with a tiny screwdriver. You have to be very, very careful though, as to not scratch anything.

A little blue painters tape strategically placed on the jewelers screwdriver head will help protect things I've found...it's gotta be a small piece, but usually can make it work.

 

[Artyfowl]

Thank you gents. I’ve requested a replacement. It’s been a looooong time (since 2011) that I’ve done this before and not sure of the TD / client etiquette these days but am I being unreasonable asking for a new watch for such a point as the bezel?

The factory wasn’t stated in dealer clocks listing but I suspect a ZF?

 

[lateralraisecomputer]

1. What is the current best versions of 16202/15202?

2. How does the blue dial color compare between the 39mm ones to the 15450 (37mm)? I tried looking at picture but everyone has different lighting/camera settings, hard to tell..

3. I have 6.75 inch wrist but span is like 52-53mm only (straight ruler, not tapered span). Not sure if 37mm ot 39mm is the way to go. Although I am looking for a sportier look not a dress look, also have big arms (lifter), just small wrist genetics. So I think 39mm one would work?

 

[speedywombat]

1. What is the current best versions of 16202/15202?

2. How does the blue dial color compare between the 39mm ones to the 15450 (37mm)? I tried looking at picture but everyone has different lighting/camera settings, hard to tell..

3. I have 6.75 inch wrist but span is like 52-53mm only (straight ruler, not tapered span). Not sure if 37mm ot 39mm is the way to go. Although I am looking for a sportier look not a dress look, also have big arms (lifter), just small wrist genetics. So I think 39mm one would work?

1. Either ZF or XF. Keep in mind both doesn't have quickset date function for the 16202 (Gen 16202 has it, but gen 15202 doesn't have it). Case dimension is also slightly off for both.
2. The ZF dial's color is way too light, XF's is also off although I'm not sure by how much but I heard it is closer. Either way, both of them are lacking the sunburst of the gen. I'd say out of the box the 15450 is closer to gen.
3. I have almost exactly 7 inch wrist and both sizes work well for me. See pics below of 37mm 15550 and 39mm 16202

 

[speedywombat]

Thank you gents. I’ve requested a replacement. It’s been a looooong time (since 2011) that I’ve done this before and not sure of the TD / client etiquette these days but am I being unreasonable asking for a new watch for such a point as the bezel?

The factory wasn’t stated in dealer clocks listing but I suspect a ZF?

In my experience, that perfect alignment on the front screw seems to be rather rare for both ZF and APSF. It is easily fixable through adjustment through the screw caseback, but as others have mentioned, be very careful to not scratch the screw or the case. I'm much more concerned by other alignment issues that's not easily fixable such as the hour marks and the date window.

 

[Artyfowl]

In my experience, that perfect alignment on the front screw seems to be rather rare for both ZF and APSF. It is easily fixable through adjustment through the screw caseback, but as others have mentioned, be very careful to not scratch the screw or the case. I'm much more concerned by other alignment issues that's not easily fixable such as the hour marks and the date window.

Wow this is where it’s really useful for me to have other more experienced eyes in these things as I’ve not picked up any hour marker issues. Would you mind kindly expanding on what you think is off? Thank you

 

[lateralraisecomputer]

1. Either ZF or XF. Keep in mind both doesn't have quickset date function for the 16202 (Gen 16202 has it, but gen 15202 doesn't have it). Case dimension is also slightly off for both.
2. The ZF dial's color is way too light, XF's is also off although I'm not sure by how much but I heard it is closer. Either way, both of them are lacking the sunburst of the gen. I'd say out of the box the 15450 is closer to gen.
3. I have almost exactly 7 inch wrist and both sizes work well for me. See pics below of 37mm 15550 and 39mm 16202

Thank you.

I read that for 15450 (37mm), APSF is actually the best now?


Also I was wondering about the difference of the color blue in gen 15202 and gen 15450, I think they are not the same color blue but all the pictures and videos look different online..

 

[speedywombat]

Thank you.

I read that for 15450 (37mm), APSF is actually the best now?


Also I was wondering about the difference of the color blue in gen 15202 and gen 15450, I think they are not the same color blue but all the pictures and videos look different online..

From your photo, the hour marks and date window seems good enough although it is a bit more difficult to tell due to sub-par lighting. From the pic, it *seems* that the AP logo is slightly tilted a few degree clockwise, then again it might just be the lighting.

FYI I did have an issue with the AP logo tilted a few degree counterclockwise, lol. It's such a small detail, but once I saw it, it annoyed me to no end

 

[speedywombat]

Thank you.

I read that for 15450 (37mm), APSF is actually the best now?


Also I was wondering about the difference of the color blue in gen 15202 and gen 15450, I think they are not the same color blue but all the pictures and videos look different online..

Yeah, I believe the difference in the blue of 15202 vs 15450 is distinct enough. Regarding 15450 if I plan to get a rep 15450 and not doing any mods and just wear it out of the box as is, I'd go with the ZF because to me the tapisserie size and level looks better to me.

 

[lateralraisecomputer]

Yeah, I believe the difference in the blue of 15202 vs 15450 is distinct enough. Regarding 15450 if I plan to get a rep 15450 and not doing any mods and just wear it out of the box as is, I'd go with the ZF because to me the tapisserie size and level looks better to me.

Yeah, I believe the difference in the blue of 15202 vs 15450 is distinct enough. Regarding 15450 if I plan to get a rep 15450 and not doing any mods and just wear it out of the box as is, I'd go with the ZF because to me the tapisserie size and level looks better to me.

Is it fair to say the blue on 450 is more 'bright' or that it 'pops more'? I struggle to find any side by side comparison.. But it seems that 202 blue is darker?

 

[speedywombat]

Is it fair to say the blue on 450 is more 'bright' or that it 'pops more'? I struggle to find any side by side comparison.. But it seems that 202 blue is darker?

I know this is not comparing them side by side, but these are from he same vendor with similar lighting, positioned the same, and photo taken from the same angle.

 

[legend]

Is it fair to say the blue on 450 is more 'bright' or that it 'pops more'? I struggle to find any side by side comparison.. But it seems that 202 blue is darker?

I think you’re over-analysing here.

These are $500 reps. If and when you do the side by side comparisons don’t forget to compare the prices, as well as the lifestyles of people wearing the gen and the rep. It’s a holistic thing and the differences aren’t confined to the details of the watch.

Spend the $500 on whatever catches your fancy and enjoy it. If you have the attitude and lifestyle to pull it off, nobody will know it’s a rep. If you want to be certain that it’s as “gen” as possible to yourself, the only way is to buy the gen. If you’re not looking to represent it as a gen, then you’re on good grounds. You’re not buying an AP but a replica watch which looks like one. A lot of buyers like to only compare the watch feature accuracy while taking the price and themselves out of the equation. The (first and in fact only) question to ask is if you can pull off the watch if it’s gen. If yes, then you’ve nothing to worry about. If no, it won’t matter what you wear anyway, the watch will just be a mismatch on the wrist.
Makes sense?

 

[lateralraisecomputer]

I think you’re over-analysing here.

These are $500 reps. If and when you do the side by side comparisons don’t forget to compare the prices, as well as the lifestyles of people wearing the gen and the rep. It’s a holistic thing and the differences aren’t confined to the details of the watch.

Spend the $500 on whatever catches your fancy and enjoy it. If you have the attitude and lifestyle to pull it off, nobody will know it’s a rep. If you want to be certain that it’s as “gen” as possible to yourself, the only way is to buy the gen. If you’re not looking to represent it as a gen, then you’re on good grounds. You’re not buying an AP but a replica watch which looks like one. A lot of buyers like to only compare the watch feature accuracy while taking the price and themselves out of the equation. The (first and in fact only) question to ask is if you can pull off the watch if it’s gen. If yes, then you’ve nothing to worry about. If no, it won’t matter what you wear anyway, the watch will just be a mismatch on the wrist.
Makes sense?

Hi thanks I agree. I was wondering between the color difference between Gen 15202 and Gen 15450, seems their blue colors are different, wasn't about gen vs rep


Btw do you recommend apsf or zf (stock only) nowadays? Thank you