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

legend

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sorry i thought i made the question clear enough, my apologies. which would you recommend getting, the ZF 15450 or the APSP 15450 without modification(s) in the blue dial variant
I’ll recommend the zf one for the 15450. Thank you kindly.
 
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thogg

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Hi all, I was going to post a thread but figured asking here may be more appropriate. This is my first post ever on RWI.

I just purchased my first watch (ZF V3 15500) from a private seller (not on this site). I received the watch, and it looks great!

But I have a few questions. It seems to be losing 8 minutes of time per day, and I was wondering if I could adjust that, or if that is just normal?

I have never taken a watch apart before, however I work with very small electronics on a daily basis, so I have a stereo microscope and lots of tiny tweezers/screwdrivers (I work as an electrical engineer). If it isn't terrible to do, I wouldn't mind trying that before returning it.

I reached out to the seller to ask if they ever had any issues with it running slow, but I haven't heard back yet and it has been all day, so I think they may not communicate with me any longer now that they have their money and I have the watch.

I just don't know if I am not winding it correctly or something. I definitely move my hand enough, I had it on constantly for over 24 hours when it lost about 10-15 minutes. I am coming from a quartz watch, but I feel like watches are typically within 10 seconds per day, not 10 minutes. I don't want it to actually affect my schedule, nor do I want to unscrew the crown each day and wear the threads.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you
-thogg
 

restandrelaxation

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Hi all, I was going to post a thread but figured asking here may be more appropriate. This is my first post ever on RWI.

I just purchased my first watch (ZF V3 15500) from a private seller (not on this site). I received the watch, and it looks great!

But I have a few questions. It seems to be losing 8 minutes of time per day, and I was wondering if I could adjust that, or if that is just normal?

I have never taken a watch apart before, however I work with very small electronics on a daily basis, so I have a stereo microscope and lots of tiny tweezers/screwdrivers (I work as an electrical engineer). If it isn't terrible to do, I wouldn't mind trying that before returning it.

I reached out to the seller to ask if they ever had any issues with it running slow, but I haven't heard back yet and it has been all day, so I think they may not communicate with me any longer now that they have their money and I have the watch.

I just don't know if I am not winding it correctly or something. I definitely move my hand enough, I had it on constantly for over 24 hours when it lost about 10-15 minutes. I am coming from a quartz watch, but I feel like watches are typically within 10 seconds per day, not 10 minutes. I don't want it to actually affect my schedule, nor do I want to unscrew the crown each day and wear the threads.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you
-thogg
Hi @thogg welcome to the forum, these ZF 15500 are funny things, I find mine can be a little funny to wind, I often feel like the stem isn't engaging properly. Firstly let the power reserve run down completely, then try winding it in slightly different positions, by that I mean with the crown almost on the threads of the crown tube, watching to see if the second hand starts moving, if not pull it slightly further out, and repeat until the second hand moves. There a few mm to work with before the crown moves to the next position (the date changing position.) Once you have a full wind on it you'll know better about the daily accuracy.

Hope this helps. If not I'd send it for a service with a local rep friendly watchsmith.
 

thogg

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Once you have a full wind on it you'll know better about the daily accuracy.
Yeah, i see. I did end up winding it a few different times, but it was really slow each time. I bought a weishi, and these are the results:


Seems like the rate is going nuts, which makes me think it might be a beat error. Seller claims they never had a problem with it so maybe the stud holder got flung during shipping? I don't know if this is something that can be fixed without a major service, but I am absolutely willing to play with the arms and potentially fix it myself since I bought this weishi.
 
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restandrelaxation

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Yeah, i see. I did end up winding it a few different times, but it was really slow each time. I bought a weishi, and these are the results:


Seems like the rate is going nuts, which makes me think it might be a beat error. Seller claims they never had a problem with it so maybe the stud holder got flung during shipping? I don't know if this is something that can be fixed without a major service, but I am absolutely willing to play with the arms and potentially fix it myself since I bought this weishi.
Definitely running slow, I don't have a definite answer on difficulty but if you ask @legend he will hopefully be able to assist you with the information you need.
 

Lynch7

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Strictly for black dials, what is the current most Gen-like overall watch for 15400 and 15500?

I’ve done my search and hope for some input if anyone has researched it recently
 

Bobson-Dugnutt

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I have been hearing a bit of chatter in the Gen community about AP being lacking in terms of reliability and durability. Is this more the case of a few bad stories being repeated + confirmation bias, or is it something to genuinely keep in mind.

Asking as I am really attracted to the clone movements being offered these days, however a bit worried that if the factories are cloning bad movements then I might be buying a paperweight. With reps we have to contend with worse QC, less sanitary assembly, worse materials, less trained staff assembling the watches, a lack of parts to fix a watch, and a shortage of skilled watchmakers who are willing to work with us.

I understand that at the end of the day it’s a few hundred dollars and if it dies there is probably a new version out anyways but it would be nice not to feel like the thing is going to die on me any day.

Thoughts on the current slew of clone movements?
 

grillbrill

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I have been hearing a bit of chatter in the Gen community about AP being lacking in terms of reliability and durability. Is this more the case of a few bad stories being repeated + confirmation bias, or is it something to genuinely keep in mind.

Asking as I am really attracted to the clone movements being offered these days, however a bit worried that if the factories are cloning bad movements then I might be buying a paperweight. With reps we have to contend with worse QC, less sanitary assembly, worse materials, less trained staff assembling the watches, a lack of parts to fix a watch, and a shortage of skilled watchmakers who are willing to work with us.

I understand that at the end of the day it’s a few hundred dollars and if it dies there is probably a new version out anyways but it would be nice not to feel like the thing is going to die on me any day.

Thoughts on the current slew of clone movements?
Clone movement service = movement swap

Accept it and call it a day.
 
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Hesekiel

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No they are not.
If you want easy maintenance/movement swap, get an AP with a Miyota 9015 in it.
Are they easy to get your hands on? In some ways this is more appealing as I can handle a movement swap myself.
And keep in mind, you better order the special tools for bolt removal to avoid botching them up.
 
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Lynch7

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Who has the best quality rubber strap for the 15400, that’s the original AP design?

I see APS offers a rubber strap version (not sure if it’s available for sale separately) and my TD said he can find some mid tier ones.

Is there a suggestion for a super high quality one in AP design (not RubberB etc)?
 

restandrelaxation

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Who has the best quality rubber strap for the 15400, that’s the original AP design?

I see APS offers a rubber strap version (not sure if it’s available for sale separately) and my TD said he can find some mid tier ones.

Is there a suggestion for a super high quality one in AP design (not RubberB etc)?
I mean if you want super high quality just buy a gen strap, available for between £300 and £500, in all honesty if you can't afford the gen strap you can't pull off the AP anyhow.
 
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Lynch7

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I guess it would be difficult to beat the Gen strap and endlinks, followed by RubberB as the next best one probably.

How good is the quality of the Clean Factory AP straps? Have anyone gotten these and compared it to the mid tier offerings? I haven’t seen a review for them unfortunately so thought to ask. I know they make a decent FKM Oysterflex so assuming their AP straps would be nice fluoro rubber too.


 
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restandrelaxation

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It looks very good, but I suppose you would need to have it in hand to appreciate it from a tactile perspective, I haven't tried one to be honest, I only wear it on the bracelet, if I'm feeling like I want rubber I wear a Panerai.
 
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Sunry

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Hi everyone! I am new to rep watches, but a long time lover of rep handbags. I have reached purse peace and now have become interested in watched.

I have my first rep watch purchased as a rehome on reddit (36mm Rolex DD in icy blue from QF) I know it won't be perfect but I think it is a good start.

Women's watches are generally less well repped that men's sizes and 36 is probably the max diameter I would like to go. I am very interested in a AP RO in SS/RG in a 33mm or 34mm size. I have read that as a base ZF is probably best for this. I would also like it modded to be closer to gen. I was thinking RG wrap because usually the RG tint isn't close enough. If you could have 3 mods to an AP RO 33/34mm (either gen, replating, repolishing etc.) What would you recommend? Dial and bezel? Do you have a modder/watchmaker you like who can do this? Budget is about $1500. Not sure if that is reasonable, but can go up as needed.

Thank you so much!