ZF AP 15500 Grey Dial - Review & Macros

[YellowFin]

Last week, I received my ZF AP 15500 from Sead. Apart from a slightly tilted AP logo, everything looks fine. The metal work is good with some minor imperfections on the edges of brushed surfaces and not 100% evenly polished parts. The AP logo on the clasp shows marks of the CNC router, not visible with the naked eye though. Dial finish, prints and markers look good. Same goes for the hands. Datewheel print is sharp, date window shows some imperfections in the paint where bare brass (or whatever it's made of) is visible under extreme magnification. Bracelet feels sturdy but great - not everyone's thing probably, but I like it a lot. As usual, I didn't have to take a single link out. The movement has some of the well known 9015 rotor noise, but I've heard worse specimen.

Here's some pictures where you can see all I mentioned in real life. To put things into perspective: these are enlarged to a level that you'd probably see with a 20x or 30x loupe. ZF did a great job on this one!

 

[exacten]

love the photos what camera and lens were used for these pictures, i assume it was a DSLR

 

[YellowFin]

love the photos what camera and lens were used for these pictures, i assume it was a DSLR

Panasonic GX9 + Olympus 60mm Macro

 

[legend]

Yellowfin, I think your review is exemplary and should be made a sticky thread. You focused on the watch for what it is, and showed everyone how much watch they are getting for less than $500. I especially like the fact that there was no reference made to this or that feature being close to gen (or not).
You’re helping members enjoy the watch for what it is, and showcased the details to help guys appreciate them.

This is refreshing and a far cry from threads which whine and complain how this or that is crap or far from gen.

This is what the hobby should be about: appreciation of replica watches for what they are and not what they aren’t. Thank you and keep up the good work. I’ll be looking forward to more reviews from you.


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[YellowFin]

legend Thanks for the kind words, bro! Appreciate it. :drinks_cheers:

I own several gens and obviously don't believe a 25k watch can be replicated for 500 bucks. However, I also own/owned many sub-1k micro brand watches and have to say those are usually far below the workmanship of the high-end reps on the market today. I'm often surprised how nicely those are finished - just look at the pics. It's an awesome watch that just so happens to resemble an AP 15500... :thumbup:

 

[legend]

legend Thanks for the kind words, bro! Appreciate it. :drinks_cheers:

I own several gens and obviously don't believe a 25k watch can be replicated for 500 bucks. However, I also own/owned many sub-1k micro brand watches and have to say those are usually far below the workmanship of the high-end reps on the market today. I'm often surprised how nicely those are finished - just look at the pics. It's an awesome watch that just so happens to resemble an AP 15500... :thumbup:

And you’re one of the very few who actually get it. Well done sir. :qtip2:


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[Erinoush]

legend Thanks for the kind words, bro! Appreciate it. :drinks_cheers:

I own several gens and obviously don't believe a 25k watch can be replicated for 500 bucks. However, I also own/owned many sub-1k micro brand watches and have to say those are usually far below the workmanship of the high-end reps on the market today. I'm often surprised how nicely those are finished -:thumbup:

+1

a good image worth 10000 words .... nice shots Yellowfin !

 

[SHB]

Superb pictures right there, thanks for your time mate!

 

[srhoque]

YellowFin - I nominate you as the official photographer for RWI reviews. Amazing macro shots will well supported commentary. As Legend said, you focused on the watch in itself which was pleasing to read. It amazes me that ZF got such a quality release in their first attempt.

 

[GingerBubba]

Wowsers, way to go ZF (and OP)! The finishing on the markers/hands is really pretty impressive!

 

[stufuse]

Great pics.
It’s a very nice watch indeed.

Thanks


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[kk169]

Great review from a true rep enthusiast! M43 is a great system for macro shots. Love the photos!

I actually find most rep owners who also have a sizeable collection of gens are more likely to be able to enjoy their reps. Seems to me those who struggle to own gens are more likely to feel insecure and become very OCD to "tells" what I would have never bothered to know had I stayed only in gen.

 

[QueTip]

Great review. Liked the pictures a lot and also your approach to what you're reviewing as the others have said! :qtip2:

 

[asuwere]

legend Agreed. That's a lot of watch for under $500. Even more impressive is that's after the middleman markup.

 

[CAMGEN]

incredible review. excellent detail.

 

[_leonardo_]

Thank you very much for the review.
Great rep of a contemporary icon

 

[TheChachi]

I just recently picked up the black dial on M2M and I am patiently awaiting its arrival. You don't get to see too many of these reps with macro shots like yours. The resolution clarity that you showed here is impeccable and would most like not be seen with a naked eye. I really appreciate you uploading these photos.

 

[sandman42]

Thanks for the shots. Really helps show those finer details which make this $500 rep seem like an even more amazing value