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

Phan.tom

Getting To Know The Place
3/1/25
55
11
8
Hey guys! I got a "Royal Oak Offshore Diver 15707 Black Ceramic ZF 1:1 Best Edition SA3120 Super Clone" for Christmas from a friend. I want to ask what is the proper way to setup time and date on it without damaging or ruining the movement? Thank you!
How do you like this? Puretime is running a little special on this, but the super rep list has APSF as the best factory for this model. How does the ZF compare? Happy with it?

Thanks.
 

ApIcedOutt

Known Member
5/6/19
122
14
18
Just received my aps 15500
Great watch!
Rotor is a bit loud when spinning, is that normal? When held gen they’re really quiet.

Any way to fix it? Did I get a bad sample or that’s how they normally are?

Also what mods would you suggest to get more “gen” looking ?
 

snick

Known Member
17/7/24
116
146
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Portugal
So I've been reading this sub forum for the past few weeks.

I started getting into reps mostly because of Rolex unavailability but now a whole new world has opened and I'm considering getting a replica of a watch that I'd never thought about using before

I'd never dived into AP, nor ever held a Gen one, because they're a bit too much for my lifestyle. It would be extremely irresponsible for me to buy a genuine AP :D
I'm used to Rolex, Omega's, Breitlings, GS etc... tryed some vintage Patek a couple years ago and that was it.


I love the figure of the Royal Oak and intend to buy a White one.

After digging a bit, I see that there's a rep for a 15202, but only in blue, red and black?
From my understanding, there's not any gen White AP with the AP logo on the bottom side of the dial, is that correct?
What about replicas? Any custom white/silver dials with AP logo on the bottom ( like 15202) ?


If this model does not exist, I'm probably going to pull the plug on a 15500, so far, from my reading , ZF seems to have the better dial and APSF the better build overall.

The 15500 clone mov has Quick Date set, Instant date change, the rotor correctly winds up the watch and the AP indice is applied, which are all things I value. Only negative point for me is the empty space in the bottom side of the dial, and the rotor not being gen-like.

I'm a bit stingy about these watches confort, mainly with bracelets (I don't love my VSF Yachtmaster Bracelet, for instance) so I was trying to understand if it's worth having any mod made to the bracelet right away to improve its feel and comfortability, or if stock is comfortable enough).


I could also consider trying out Xing builds with Custom dials and hands, or maybe PMing legend? I'm not sure if that's the standard procedure as I'm not even 100% sure of the work I'd like to have made.


Well, this has gone lengthy. Any input is appreciated.
 

snick

Known Member
17/7/24
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Portugal
Browsing TDs website I came to the conclusion that the 15202 model exists in a variety of colour from different factories.






However, even from the same factory, the white version has the AP at twelve, while other colours have the AP below the hand stack.
I guess there's just no white dial with AP below.
 

snick

Known Member
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Because the Gen has it located there too.
And you wouldn´t want people pointing at you, because the AP on your white dial Rep 15202 is sitting at the wrong place.
How embarassing would that be? :eek:
Yes that was my question.
I'm not too familiar with AP's like I posted before and wanted to know if there was any model with white dial and AP logo on the bottom.


I'm going with the 15500.
Taking a closer look at comparisons and Factory pictures to decide on factory and mods
 

ApIcedOutt

Known Member
5/6/19
122
14
18
Yes that was my question.
I'm not too familiar with AP's like I posted before and wanted to know if there was any model with white dial and AP logo on the bottom.


I'm going with the 15500.
Taking a closer look at comparisons and Factory pictures to decide on factory and mods
Don’t over think
With the 15500 go with aps. And the color you like the most but if you’re looking for best closer to gen dial color than it would be black…
 

snick

Known Member
17/7/24
116
146
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Don’t over think
With the 15500 go with aps. And the color you like the most but if you’re looking for best closer to gen dial color than it would be black…
Thank you
I want white/silver and would love some good sunburst on the dial.
But my main requirement is a good bracelet.

Do you think APSF bracelet should be polished or lubed or any other mod?

Thank you!
 

ApIcedOutt

Known Member
5/6/19
122
14
18
Thank you
I want white/silver and would love some good sunburst on the dial.
But my main requirement is a good bracelet.

Do you think APSF bracelet should be polished or lubed or any other mod?

Thank you!
They’re good. But gen feels more soft less sharp and brushed a bit better I would say..

For the dials I once heard about DP dials that are kinda good. But stock dials also fairly good..
 
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smartypants91

Getting To Know The Place
14/6/20
17
11
3
Canada
Hi Legend,

Could you let me know which factory you would suggest for 15450? ZF or APSF? The FAQ mentions APSF but it was last updated in 2023. So wanted to check if you have a more recent opinion. I am considering the White dial as I understand it is the closest to gen.

Additionally, what colour in your opinion is closest to gen for the APSF 26240? Blue or White?

P.S. I read the last 10 pages of this thread. These exact questions were not asked. Thus, my post.

Thank you!
 

legend

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Hi Legend,

Could you let me know which factory you would suggest for 15450? ZF or APSF? The FAQ mentions APSF but it was last updated in 2023. So wanted to check if you have a more recent opinion. I am considering the White dial as I understand it is the closest to gen.

Additionally, what colour in your opinion is closest to gen for the APSF 26240? Blue or White?

P.S. I read the last 10 pages of this thread. These exact questions were not asked. Thus, my post.

Thank you!
Yes thank you. No worries even if it was asked. This is a flame free thread and for everyone to participate without worry.

1. I like the new zf 15450. Go for it. Silver is pretty good on the zf productions.

2. Go for the blue 26240. Don’t actually worry about it being close to gen or otherwise because at the end of the day you’ll always know it’s a rep even if others don’t. I’m suggesting the blue because it’s close enough and it’s stunning in person for me. Best color of the lot IMHO and remember that’s my subjective opinion. Thank you.
 

smartypants91

Getting To Know The Place
14/6/20
17
11
3
Canada
Yes thank you. No worries even if it was asked. This is a flame free thread and for everyone to participate without worry.

1. I like the new zf 15450. Go for it. Silver is pretty good on the zf productions.

2. Go for the blue 26240. Don’t actually worry about it being close to gen or otherwise because at the end of the day you’ll always know it’s a rep even if others don’t. I’m suggesting the blue because it’s close enough and it’s stunning in person for me. Best color of the lot IMHO and remember that’s my subjective opinion. Thank you.
Thank you, good sir!
 

ljewell646

Getting To Know The Place
Supporter
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20/5/18
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Best mods for the the aps 15720 diver? I have the blue dial and is a great looking watch and loving it so far and keeping great time. Was curious if there were good mods? Haven’t seen much when searching
 

moopsy

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Legend, thank you for creating this thread and all of the great work that you do for the members here.

Perhaps a question that leaves a lot of nuance, but now that the new APSF 26240 has been out for a bit, is there mod work that stands out to you that could elevate the release significantly, outside of replacing with a gen dial? (I’ve finally read through the 144 pages for the APSF 26240 release and don’t recall anyone asking you).

Thank you in advance!
 

JimmyD750

Official RWI Reddit reporter.
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Is the clone movement good out of the box or requires service? A lot of mixed opinions.

Which factory would you prefer on the 15550

Was thinking asps
All mechanical reps have movements with working parts just like Gen does. This is why gens are lubricated. This trend I see (especially on Reddit) of guys thinking it makes you somehow living on the edge of you don’t clean and live movements is absurd. These are the same guys who chime in at a later date shit talking the TD and the factory for selling them a watch “that broke too fast”.
I usually ask “would you drive your new car if it had no oil in it? If you did, would you expect it to last?”, and I usually get downvoted and told “hey man they’re cheap enough I’ll just buy another if I want”. Wow, so flex.
Yes is the answer. If you want your watch to last and serve you reliably, just like any mechanical instrument or machine, it will need periodic adjustments, tuning if you will, cleaning, and most importantly lubricating. It may even need repair at some point, but so does any machine.
 
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snick

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So my seller was super fast and I just got QC for my 15500.

I need some assistance regarding the AP logo ( is it a bit tilted?) and mainly the bezel screws. They're a bit off, mainly the 4oclock one and 7 a bit aswell.

Are these screws alignable somehow? Can I unscrew, drop a bit of Loctite in them, twist them until they're properly aligned and let it sit until it's properly glued?
Or is this a completely bad idea?


Is it realistic to RL this one and get a perfect aligned piece?
Thanks in advance.
 

leo6929

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You can align those screws with a very tiny screwdriver, I´ve done it myself. Nothing much else needed...there´s some tight space to do it, but obviously these aren´t meant to move too much.
 
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grillbrill

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So my seller was super fast and I just got QC for my 15500.

I need some assistance regarding the AP logo ( is it a bit tilted?) and mainly the bezel screws. They're a bit off, mainly the 4oclock one and 7 a bit aswell.

Are these screws alignable somehow? Can I unscrew, drop a bit of Loctite in them, twist them until they're properly aligned and let it sit until it's properly glued?
Or is this a completely bad idea?


Is it realistic to RL this one and get a perfect aligned piece?
Thanks in advance.
The AP logo looks tilted. Inspect the photo in a real size from a wrist distance. If the logo still annoys you then ask for another watch. My 2 cents, ofc.
 
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snick

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The AP logo looks tilted. Inspect the photo in a real size from a wrist distance. If the logo still annoys you then ask for another watch. My 2 cents, ofc.


Here are all the photos and videos I got.

If you wanna take a look I'd love a second set of eyes.
I'm second guessing both my eyes and my decision to RL and then get a worse version. Like I had previously said, I'm not that familiar with this model and usual specimens/QC problems etc.
Thanks all
 

grillbrill

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Here are all the photos and videos I got.

If you wanna take a look I'd love a second set of eyes.
I'm second guessing both my eyes and my decision to RL and then get a worse version. Like I had previously said, I'm not that familiar with this model and usual specimens/QC problems etc.
Thanks all
I see two issues which might validate a RL. The misaligned 4 o'clock bezel screw and the AP logo. However, it's your watch, and thus it's your decision.
 
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