ZF New Release: 15400 with CAL.3120

[legend]

I actually snapped a few pics before I disassembled these two (ZF and APSF). If you did yourself, let me know. If you did practice by video, then here are some more info for you if you need to decide which one to pick. I know which one I'll choose.

If you can't identify the ZF from the fugly hands or case, it's to the left in combined pics and if you can't identify the APSF from the atrocious dial it's to the right. I also added note above the pics. This was suppose to be posted in a separate thread but I forgot until now.

The comparison pictures are good for members to see and make their own choices. Objectively those are good pictures.
For me, what the pictures highlight is that neither watch is gen, and both are comparable as acceptable AP replicas.

The community should not be seduced by one seemingly good detail of one watch over the other for 2 basic reasons:

1. These will not be noticeable in real life on the wrist, even vs a gen 15400 to the casual observer. I am talking about a distance of 1 to 1.5m onward (acceptable personal space in public)
2. These are just replicas, watches bought and worn for fun, and it doesn't matter if you wear one more "accurate" looking watch, it is still never actually going to be an AP. Owners will always know that.

Same rule applies for any replica and frankens (which are also replicas which cost more) and I think this hobby is largely meant to be enjoyed at a casual as opposed to micro level. The flaws will always be present but they shouldn't stop someone from enjoying his $500 (price of 2 stainless steel bracelet links from the AP boutique) watch. You either own/wear a gen 15400 or you can pick any rep which tickles your fancy. Comparison between the replica models serves to let buyers decide what they can live with in their replica APs and if possible avoid one flaw in favor of another.
Your pictures will allow guys here to make that choice for themselves. If possible, I will ask you to create a separate thread comparing the two with the pics you used. I intend to sticky it for posterity. :hehehe:

 

[shewie]

Don't know why APSF dial is called atrocious even though it's much closer to the gen than ZF in terms of Sunburst and Shade of the Blue.
Had the pleasure to see AP 15400 yesterday at Harrods in London and took several pictures, upon close inspection I find APS Factory dial much closer to the gen.

 

[stuxnet]

Hello everyone,

Very interesting remarks and thoughts about the ap 15400. I’ve been wanting to pull the trigger on this one from ZF for quite a long time now before they released the 3120 clone movement. The choice became even tougher to make ^^ I think that many people tend to concentrate more on the overall resemblance and aesthetic of the watch compared with the gen, which is totally understandable. However, there is a lack of feedback regarding the reliability of the movement. I know the 3120 clone is a relatively new movement and I believe reliability can be effectively measured after a time period of at least 2 to 3 years minimum. I have always read everywhere to be cautious regarding clone movement as some of them were known to be unreliable, expensive to service or repair, that it was a nightmare to source parts and so on...

Movement wise, would you recommend me to go with the known reliable (and noisy) Miyota 9015 from ZF knowing reliability is one of my top concern or from your experience would the cal 3120 clone be better and if so, why?

One last question to those of you who have had the chance to own the ZF Miyota 9015 version and the new super clone: beside the integration of cal 3120 clone, has there been any upgrades in terms of dial, hands, case, etc. from V1 to latest V2 ?

Thanks

 

[Nono92]

Movement wise, would you recommend me to go with the known reliable (and noisy) Miyota 9015 from ZF knowing reliability is one of my top concern or from your experience would the cal 3120 clone be better and if so, why?

Hi,
The Miyota 9015 isn't noisy. If reliability is your first concern, the best is to take the 9015. I don't know if the 3120 clone is not reliable but it hasn't been used for a long time...
You also have the 15202 (lighter but no second hand). Difficult choice !
Regards.

 

[stuxnet]

I thought about both the 15202 and 15500 but my heart has a clear preference for the 15400. I prefer the 15400 because I find it a little less sporty than the 15500, which is ideal for a dressy occasion. The almost +2mm thickness of the watch adds an appreciable presence to the wrist in my opinion. But yea, that's a tough choice anyway

The Miyota 9015 isn't noisy.

Actually, you are right. I misspoke. It is not the movement itself that is noisy but the rotor. At least that's what I have heard from people who have had the watch. But I don't really care as it would be an easy procedure to silence it thanks to the tutorials on the forum.

I think I will go for the ZF Miyota 9015 version as it is important for me to have something easily repairable and serviceable.

I just wanted to make sure there were no other cosmetic upgrades from V1 to V2 other than the addition of the clone movement. If a knowledgable kind soul can confirm this, It would be deeply appreciated

 

[Nono92]

I prefer the 15400 because I find it a little less sporty than the 15500, which is ideal for a dressy occasion. The almost +2mm thickness of the watch adds an appreciable presence to the wrist in my opinion. But yea, that's a tough choice anyway

Actually, you are right. I misspoke. It is not the movement itself that is noisy but the rotor. At least that's what I have heard from people who have had the watch.)

Thicker means heavier. But de can't have everything !

I think people who find it noisy must hear voices like Jeanne d'Arc ????

Envoyé de mon Mi 9T en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[bertieng]

Actually, you are right. I misspoke. It is not the movement itself that is noisy but the rotor. At least that's what I have heard from people who have had the watch. But I don't really care as it would be an easy procedure to silence it thanks to the tutorials on the forum.

Can you share the link for the tutorial, thanks in advance

 

[stuxnet]

I think people who find it noisy must hear voices like Jeanne d'Arc ????

If I had to choose, I would rather hear noisy rotors than voices I tell you that

 

[stuxnet]

Can you share the link for the tutorial, thanks in advance

Hi @bertieng

You have quite a few interesting ones to help you achieve this.

This one is one of them: https://tinyurl.com/37n8fste | https://tinyurl.com/5n89yhmy

 

[Nono92]

This one is one of them: https://tinyurl.com/37n8fste | https://tinyurl.com/5n89yhmy

When I see that, it gives me a headache

Good luck bertieng !

 

[Radolux]

Can anyone help me out with this question ?

Is the case/dial/bracelet etc of the ZF SA3120 Super Clone version the same as the cheaper ZF A3120 version?
I mean the same quality.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Zelgadus]

I've been seeing hype around ZF 15400s but then and I was about to jump the gun on buying a blue dialed 15400.

But then, in terms of the dial color and overall details, is it truly the best version in the market right now?

 

[AnExpensiveBracelet]

I've been seeing hype around ZF 15400s but then and I was about to jump the gun on buying a blue dialed 15400.

But then, in terms of the dial color and overall details, is it truly the best version in the market right now?

Not sure what you mean by BEST, but avoid the Grey due to the date colour being wrong.

So rest, i reckon go whichever you feel happy having on your wrist instead of fretting over the miniscule details (which no one will notice without you takign it off and handing it over). Note that if it comes off, the movement display would be a dead giveaway...

Oh, if it matters, the blue dial gen price is a notch above the others...

 

[legend]

Not sure what you mean by BEST, but avoid the Grey due to the date colour being wrong.

So rest, i reckon go whichever you feel happy having on your wrist instead of fretting over the miniscule details (which no one will notice without you takign it off and handing it over). Note that if it comes off, the movement display would be a dead giveaway...

Oh, if it matters, the blue dial gen price is a notch above the others...

You've been here only 2 months, but obviously you have a good sense of what this hobby is about.
Well said, and if I can sticky your reply, I would.
Reps are meant to be enjoyed on their own, they will never be gen so...

 

[wertman1]

I have a ZF 15202 and the back fly wheel honestly I don’t know what it’s called is so loud you can hear it when I walk around. Totally puts me off to getting another one. Unless there is some east fix?

 

[legend]

I have a ZF 15202 and the back fly wheel honestly I don’t know what it’s called is so loud you can hear it when I walk around. Totally puts me off to getting another one. Unless there is some east fix?

Rotor.

You may be surprised that the gen 15202 (and Patek 5711 for that matter) have the same loud rotor noise, especially after years of wear.

 

[legend]

Can anyone help me out with this question ?

Is the case/dial/bracelet etc of the ZF SA3120 Super Clone version the same as the cheaper ZF A3120 version?
I mean the same quality.

Thanks a lot.

From my experience handling a few of the former and a lot of the latter, the differences are trivial, and even between 2 individual pieces of the same model, there can be small variances in the quality/tactile feel too.

Often members will say hey this or that factory produces superior/inferior products but in most of these cases, the sample size is 1 of each. To give you a figurative idea, the finish quality you get for the ZF watches (both versions), will be say, between 88-93% IMHO for any given individual piece, subjectively speaking. The figures are arbitrary rather than scientific, meant to illustrate the variance of difference.

 

[Radolux]

From my experience handling a few of the former and a lot of the latter, the differences are trivial, and even between 2 individual pieces of the same model, there can be small variances in the quality/tactile feel too.

Often members will say hey this or that factory produces superior/inferior products but in most of these cases, the sample size is 1 of each. To give you a figurative idea, the finish quality you get for the ZF watches (both versions), will be say, between 88-93% IMHO for any given individual piece, subjectively speaking. The figures are arbitrary rather than scientific, meant to illustrate the variance of difference.

Thanks @legend

I think to go for the “old” version with Miyota. I feel more comfortable with this movement about durability & repair.

 

[legend]

Thanks @legend

I think to go for the “old” version with Miyota. I feel more comfortable with this movement about durability & repair.

Personally I agree with you.

I’ve seen guys thinking that their two-bit franken 15400s built on the clone 3120 movement are “gen like” and flawless. These guys obviously have no idea what the gen 3120 looks and feels like and start threads like worship shrines dedicated to the journey of such builds, done to death by countless before them and with equally familiar visual results with the same old flaws. :legend:
Go for the miyota if you’re more comfortable with it. Both it and the “clone” (actually far from being a clone) 3120 aren’t gen anyway and reps are meant to be worn for fun, not as actual AP watches. The miyota movement is a good choice and until we get an actual clone 3120, it is a respectable base for any AP rep.
Your watch, your call!

 

[Radolux]

Agree.

And the ZF 15500 is miyota based too isn’t?