• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

ZF AP 15500

Eggroll_96

Known Member
4/12/20
116
24
18
Florida, USA
Just gives me giggles...every year some factory gets raided, a thread gets created here, people panic about open orders, speculations become rife, factory comes back online (after money changed hands) and then we all eventually go back to complaining about SELs, DWs and CG shapes again!! Such is the circle of life in this hobby :D:D

Sig worthy. Dibs
 

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
Hi all,
I ordered last week the grey 15500 but was informed I couldn't get it due to ZF raids but they do have the Black 15500 in stock which was reserved so I can make up my mind.

I did look at a lot of images both here and googling and I like the contrast between the black dial and the bracelet but other pics with the grey dial alone look wonderful as well.

Which one do you guys have and what justified your decision?
 
Last edited:

Sonofalich

James
Supporter
Certified
10/6/19
2,726
2,592
113
United Kingdom
Hi all,
I ordered last week the grey 15500 but was informed I couldn't get it due to ZF raids but they do have the Black 15500 in stock which was reserved so I can make up my mind.

I did look at a lot of images both here and googling and I like the contrast between the black dial and the bracelet but other pics with the grey dial alone look wonderful as well.

Which one do you guys have and what justified your decision?

Black is the best dial, imo. I've had all the variants (except white). Black has grey tones... and deep blacks. It's the most versatile and also the black / silver contrast is fantastic. Go for the black, and you won't regret it imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: leo6929

srhoque

Respected Member
28/11/18
3,259
2,466
113
Hi all,
I ordered last week the grey 15500 but was informed I couldn't get it due to ZF raids but they do have the Black 15500 in stock which was reserved so I can make up my mind.

I did look at a lot of images both here and googling and I like the contrast between the black dial and the bracelet but other pics with the grey dial alone look wonderful as well.

Which one do you guys have and what justified your decision?

I would stick with Grey, its unique and looks great under all light conditions (Too many Black/white dials out there). I have the Grey and Blue and will not trade it for any other color.

On a different note - color is a personal choice. I don't think others "opinion" should drive your purchasing decisions.
 

RonP

Renowned Member
11/10/19
564
276
63
UK
Blue watches are the best looking, black is usually the most plain Jane colour.
 
  • Like
Reactions: srhoque

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
Black is the best dial, imo. I've had all the variants (except white). Black has grey tones... and deep blacks. It's the most versatile and also the black / silver contrast is fantastic. Go for the black, and you won't regret it imo.

Yes, I've seen some (gen) wrist shots and I have to say the Black is spectacular with the Grey looking a bit dull in my opinion. Where the grey really stands out is in the sun, too bad I live in the Uk and the summer is only a weekend long.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191008/b9c28e2aaab5026259a7c424994ac242.plist
 

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
On a different note - color is a personal choice. I don't think others "opinion" should drive your purchasing decisions.

When it's hard to decide between two worlds other opinions are more than welcomed. They are both beautiful in my eyes just in different ways.
 

Sonofalich

James
Supporter
Certified
10/6/19
2,726
2,592
113
United Kingdom
Yes, I've seen some (gen) wrist shots and I have to say the Black is spectacular with the Grey looking a bit dull in my opinion. Where the grey really stands out is in the sun, too bad I live in the Uk and the summer is only a weekend long.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191008/b9c28e2aaab5026259a7c424994ac242.plist

Personally, I think the picture you linked here highlights it the best. Black is just better. There might be 100 black watches, but AP is a different kettle of fish as the bracelets are what make them work. The contrast between dark black and the reflective metal is what makes it the best.

Grey = blends into the metal. Boring.

Obviously, these are my personal subjective opinions. But who cares, you asked for opinions. Go black. Grey/white dull and boring in my opinion. Be bold or go home.
 

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
Personally, I think the picture you linked here highlights it the best. Black is just better. There might be 100 black watches, but AP is a different kettle of fish as the bracelets are what make them work. The contrast between dark black and the reflective metal is what makes it the best.

Grey = blends into the metal. Boring.

Obviously, these are my personal subjective opinions. But who cares, you asked for opinions. Go black. Grey/white dull and boring in my opinion. Be bold or go home.

Definitely, funny thing about the gen Grey it's that it has a longer waiting time at the AP Boutique than other colours but in the 'wild' it would be seen more often due to it's popularity in the rep world. Not that you would want to fool anyone, it's just a funny fact.
 

legend

The RWI Dragon
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
20/9/10
61,178
77,900
113
Where I need to be.
When it's hard to decide between two worlds other opinions are more than welcomed. They are both beautiful in my eyes just in different ways.

I agree with you that opinions are welcome when you are faced with challenges in choosing a specific color, but srhoque was right, it largely boils down to individual preferences.
Given that none of the colors are really gen-like, this brings down the choice rationale to your individual preference. Personally I will pick the grey. It looks good on a $400+ watch and looks nice on its own without any comparison to the gen ruthenium color. The gen grey is lighter and a bit more metallic in finish, whereas the rep one is darker, have a hint of brown and looks more "plastic" on the surface.
 
  • Like
Reactions: srhoque

legend

The RWI Dragon
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
20/9/10
61,178
77,900
113
Where I need to be.
Obviously, these are my personal subjective opinions. But who cares, you asked for opinions. Go black. Grey/white dull and boring in my opinion. Be bold or go home.

A lot of the posts in the forum are about opinions and yes subjective according to what the poster sees and feels as an individual.
You were not wrong in saying that the grey 15500 appears to be rather monotonous in terms of color blend/presentation but I like my gen grey 15500 just fine for the very same reason. I have recently sold my gen silver 15500 for the opposite reason: The contrast of the dial and case color was rather stark for a watch of this design. Am awaiting the arrival of the blue dial from the boutique currently.

We do need individual and subjective opinions to make our community more vibrant, and for us to learn from one another.
 

Sonofalich

James
Supporter
Certified
10/6/19
2,726
2,592
113
United Kingdom
A lot of the posts in the forum are about opinions and yes subjective according to what the poster sees and feels as an individual.
You were not wrong in saying that the grey 15500 appears to be rather monotonous in terms of color blend/presentation but I like my gen grey 15500 just fine for the very same reason. I have recently sold my gen silver 15500 for the opposite reason: The contrast of the dial and case color was rather stark for a watch of this design. Am awaiting the arrival of the blue dial from the boutique currently.

We do need individual and subjective opinions to make our community more vibrant, and for us to learn from one another.

Gen is a different thing all together :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: legend

Eggroll_96

Known Member
4/12/20
116
24
18
Florida, USA
Guess you’re gonna have to search up videos/vlogs of people wearing either one and decide for yourself. I promise you will be happy with your chosen result.
 

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
  • Like
Reactions: Sonofalich

Mc Queen

Renowned Member
11/10/20
507
322
63
Italy
Hi all,
I ordered last week the grey 15500 but was informed I couldn't get it due to ZF raids but they do have the Black 15500 in stock which was reserved so I can make up my mind.

I did look at a lot of images both here and googling and I like the contrast between the black dial and the bracelet but other pics with the grey dial alone look wonderful as well.

Which one do you guys have and what justified your decision?
I can't help you in the decision but I have a 15500 zf black dial and 15400 jf white dial. I prefer the white dial because it's more shiny and I think that is a perfect match with the shiny bracelet. The black dial is more subtle and a bit more matt. The Grey dial it's a mid-way that I really don't like, but it's subjective and I know that is the first choice of a lot people here (also because it seems the most gen-like). One year ago I read that zzf made the most gen-like sub no date and I bought it. Result: never worn, because simply it's not my kind of watch.
So I suggest you to look a lot of pictures and understand which color is the best for you!
2b45b40cef96ba108728e0a65702751b.jpg


Inviato dal mio WAS-LX1A utilizzando Tapatalk
 

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
I can't help you in the decision but I have a 15500 zf black dial and 15400 jf white dial. I prefer the white dial because it's more shiny and I think that is a perfect match with the shiny bracelet. The black dial is more subtle and a bit more matt. The Grey dial it's a mid-way that I really don't like, but it's subjective and I know that is the first choice of a lot people here (also because it seems the most gen-like). One year ago I read that zzf made the most gen-like sub no date and I bought it. Result: never worn, because simply it's not my kind of watch.
So I suggest you to look a lot of pictures and understand which color is the best for you!
2b45b40cef96ba108728e0a65702751b.jpg


Inviato dal mio WAS-LX1A utilizzando Tapatalk

They're both beautiful in their own respect, thanks for sharing them with us. By nature, I am more of an introvert myself and would rather prefer the black dial and I think the dial colour is the most gen-like out of all of them looking at the macro shots from this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSIgAiX5Mn4
Again, all colours of the rep will capture the light differently as opposed to genuine, especially the grey which is spectacular in gen form, but the black rep in particular is more seamless than the others imho.
 

derrickcrash

Known Member
Certified
7/12/20
199
122
43
Just received my QC pics today and perhaps some proud ZF AP owners can share the light?
1. Isn't the date supposed to be right in the middle, it looks to me like it's a bit under, especially comparing with the painted dial next to it: https://postimg.cc/gallery/H5R0NZJ
2. Is the logo a bit crooked or perhaps it's the angle? https://postimg.cc/676K397r
3. Are the upper dials a bit discontinued at the bottom? https://postimg.cc/gallery/H5R0NZJ

I've watched tens of pictures until now and some confirm or deny what I see but some of you already have the watch on your wrist now perhaps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: enter01