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

[geoffdragon]

@Titusthebrave surely there is one @legend (ary) person you should be asking to deliver your replica watch dreams....if your gen watch wearing friends own an AP and have good eyesight they will still tell you are wearing a replica....but they will hopefully realise you are much smarter than them for saving yourself a few thousand dollars in the process, and still have a flashy watch on your wrist.
Good luck with your journey and keep us informed of the build.

 

[Rangerfan]

So I’m looking to buy an ap Royal Oak 15510 green or blue dial, 15500 is also possible depending on the quality…

Reading all the posts this is what I understood to mod at least to have it look decent enough that my gen wearing friends won’t see any diff:

Audemars Piguet 15510ST Royal Oak

APSF Base watch -
Refinish AP logo, dial markers and dial surface
Rebrushing for case, bezel & bracelet
Enhance definition and polish of case/bracelet bevels
Full movement servicing done with proper cleaning, greasing and regulation of parts
Polish and Align bezel screws
Waterproof and pressure test

Custom Dial
Custom Hands
Custom DateWheel
Custom 22K Gold Rotor

Can anyone advise me if I’m on the right path? And who I can ask to deliver me this? Also whether I should go for 15500 or 15510?

Talk to The Watch Mansion or @legend.

That is gonna be one expensive 15510.

 

[Titusthebrave]

Yeah true but it will still save me quite some bit let’s hope legend has some time to respond

 

[Autobús]

Yeah true but it will still save me quite some bit let’s hope legend has some time to respond

PM him. Stand up gentleman. He will respond.

 

[Rangerfan]

PM him. Stand up gentleman. He will respond.

Agree. TWM probably is worth PMing also. They are working on a SS/blue 26240 for me. They will give you a good idea on pricing and what mods are or are not worth going for with different models and colors (and for $1000-1200 they will CNC that 22k rotor for you). They are a good "one stop" alternative to getting and modding your watch.

 

[M_M_T]

I'm looking to get my first watch and I'm still pretty new to all of this — been reading and learning the past few days. At first, I was set on getting a 15510 with a black dial, but now I'm leaning more toward the 15500. I know it’s never going to be 100% like the gen, and that's totally fine with me. My goal is just to get it as close as possible, even if that means doing some mods. Right now, which version would you say is the better option?

 

[Titusthebrave]

PM him. Stand up gentleman. He will respond.

Already did a few days ago, I don’t want to bump and annoy him

 

[Anon403]

Looking to buy a custom 15202, I have a budget around 3-4k usd does anyone have some recommendations on who to speak with

 

[Rangerfan]

Looking to buy a custom 15202, I have a budget around 3-4k usd does anyone have some recommendations on who to speak with

The Watch Mansion

 

[serafim.g]

Hello guys i have searched the forum but the information is too much and in some cases outdated. I want to buy an AP 15450 but don't know if i should choose the ZF or APSF one. As of today which one is consider the best? Thank you very much in advance.

 

[M_M_T]

The Watch Mansion

Hello guys i have searched the forum but the information is too much and in some cases outdated. I want to buy an AP 15450 but don't know if i should choose the ZF or APSF one. As of today which one is consider the best? Thank you very much in advance.

It’s getting harder to know what information is actually good these days. I’m looking for the best AP rep in 41mm and trying to figure out which model and color are the closest to gen. I’d also love to do some mods to make it even better. I’ve been reading forums for days, but it’s tough to tell what’s accurate and what’s outdated.

 

[serafim.g]

It’s getting harder to know what information is actually good these days. I’m looking for the best AP rep in 41mm and trying to figure out which model and color are the closest to gen. I’d also love to do some mods to make it even better. I’ve been reading forums for days, but it’s tough to tell what’s accurate and what’s outdated.

from what i have understood the ZF 15450 is better than APSF if that helps you in any way

 

[M_M_T]

from what i have understood the ZF 15450 is better than APSF if that helps you in any way

I appreciate the info, but I’m specifically looking for a 15500 or 15510 — anything in 41mm.

 

[speedywombat]

I appreciate the info, but I’m specifically looking for a 15500 or 15510 — anything in 41mm.

For what it's worth, I think making a custom 15500 will be easier. At least most reps already have really good quality case + bracelet + movement, in terms of proportions and functionality. In order to get the 15510 to be correct dimension wise, you also will need to worry about the bracelet. As far as I know there is no stock rep bracelet that's good for 15510, you have to get it custom made.

I too am currently inquiring about a custom 15500 with Legend. Just message him, he's nice (most of the time ).

 

[Rangerfan]

”I too am currently inquiring about a custom 15500 with Legend. Just message him, he's nice (most of the time ).

Well, that is about all you could ask for! I don’t know anyone who is nice all of the time!

 

[cydman]

I appreciate the info, but I’m specifically looking for a 15500 or 15510 — anything in 41mm.

One of the best mods I've seen for these is a DP Dial + Deep Crystal. They really transform the watch especially if you're after a blue dial. Here are some with those mods installed.

 

[Fusible]

One of the best mods I've seen for these is a DP Dial + Deep Crystal. They really transform the watch especially if you're after a blue dial. Here are some with those mods installed.

That DP dial on the 15202 should be seen closer to a fantasy dial. As Legend previously commented, if closeness to gen is your aim and you like the DP dial, a reduction in the sunburst is recommended.

 

[speedywombat]

That DP dial on the 15202 should be seen closer to a fantasy dial. As Legend previously commented, if closeness to gen is your aim and you like the DP dial, a reduction in the sunburst is recommended.

Agreed! While they do look good, they're noticably quite off from gen if that's the aim. I've heard if you want the 15500, the latest APSF batches have quite good dials. Sadly for the 15202 there are no excellent out of the box options yet

 

[Fusible]

Agreed! While they do look good, they're noticably quite off from gen if that's the aim. I've heard if you want the 15500, the latest APSF batches have quite good dials. Sadly for the 15202 there are no excellent out of the box options yet

Agreed it is very sad. The new APSF dials particularly white and black seems as close to Gen as we reasonably deserve

 

[evnic.elgar]

I'm currently looking at the ZF 15450 (in grey) or the XF v2 15202 (in blue) since those are the only AP models I think I can wear (16,5cm wrist size).

I've looked at both so much over the last days that honestly speaking it's all starting to blur. It also doesn't help that like half the gen pictures I see on chrono are renders and that the other half are a different kind of tapisserie with varying spaces and the amounts of ridges between the years, combine that with TD sites showing so many variations of these two models, with some having pictures from 2020 that are directly going against more current QCs I've seen and others advertising those QCs directly.
I frankly give up and have to ask for help.

The main thing I am interested in is 1. the dial being well textured, at least as good as a rep can get, 2. the movement being silent and reliable, 3. it being a clone movement.
I think the XF v2 15202 in blue seems closest dial wise, while the ZF 15450 seems to have a better movement? Please correct me if I am wrong there. From what I've seen the 15450 ASPF is too thick (10mm vs 9.8mm), but the dial of current batches (while being the Mark 3 tapisserie compared to the ZF mark 1) seems to be better executed than the ZF.

Would be glad for some input here to correct with the current opinions on this forum.