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gwkiw

My first AP Rep, a Royal Oak 15400 41mm Miyota SS/SS from TT

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gwkiw

This is my 4th rep purchase. I've been wanting an AP to add to my growing rep collection for a while and have been reading through the posts in this section to get familiar with the versions and factory offerings etc. I settled on a JF factory Royal Oak 15400 SS/SS 41mm black dial with a Miyota 9015 movement from Andrew at TT. This is an earlier JF version as I wanted to keep the cost factor down. The latest versions are a little more than I wanted to spend on my first AP rep. Andrew assured me the overall quality is still JF and described the differences.

 

To be perfectly honest the 15400 was not my favorite AP as I prefer the look of some of the more obscure limited edition skeleton and chrono versions. I also wanted to move away from the A7750 and get a reliable Miyota 9015 movement for this purchase. Not that there is anything wrong with the A7750's as I have a couple that work great so far. So the 15400 I felt was a good choice for my first AP purchase.

 

But I'll tell you once I got this watch I realized what the fuss is all about. The watch has a very clean, unique class to it. All AP style for sure. When I first got the QC pics there were a couple of issues. Andrew worked them out and the final result I am very pleased with. The watch has a nice weight to it. The quality of the bracelet, case machining and engraving is excellent. I found at first, after wearing A7750 reps, the thinness of this Miyota 9015 based rep quite different. Almost too thin at first at 11mm but that's what makes the style and fit of this watch that much more accurate.

 

Anyway, here are some pics of my first AP rep.

 

AP_rear_w-strap.jpg

 

 

AP_overall.jpg

AP_held.jpg

 

 

Edited by gwkiw
Postimage chaos

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GS535i

Well done! Great looking piece IMHO.

 

I am a complete noob here ..... and had the good luck to find your post.

 

The watch on my horizon is nearly identical - a JF 15400 SS bracelet, 9015 movement, but with the blue dial. .

 

I have not yet been able to sort out the deal on version numbers - what are the differences between/amongst them in quality and price point .... or which are actually available? Then, there is also the caveat that ignores V number, and refers to 'Best Edition'

 

Clearly, you have this sorted out far better than I ..... any tips would be appreciated, either by post or PM.

 

TIA

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simonbolivar

Congrats on the new AP... good for you on the deal. Don't want to piss on your parade but what's the deal with the two uppermost bezel screws? Did it come from the TD that way?

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gwkiw

Thanks, but I'm no expert yet either. This is only my 4th rep purchase. And my first AP. Its apparently a JF factory but not the latest version. Whatever that really means. Andrew said it had to do mainly with the engravings on the movement. The latest version is a higher price than I wanted to pay. Especially once I factored in the exchange to US $. This version was a better price point for me and I really wanted the Miyota 9015 movement.

 

Congrats on the new AP... good for you on the deal. Don't want to piss on your parade but what's the deal with the two uppermost bezel screws? Did it come from the TD that way?

 

 

Regarding the "two uppermost bezel screws" comment, not sure what you mean. I'm looking at the actual watch in my hand and the bezel screws look pretty fine to me. The pictures were taken with my phone (S5) with no special controlled lighting. I find photos with my phone irritating and sometimes brings out reflections that are unnatural or accentuated. Elaborate on the comment anyway. Perhaps I'll take a better shot.

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wowsasb

Thanks, but I'm no expert yet either. This is only my 4th rep purchase. And my first AP. Its apparently a JF factory but not the latest version. Whatever that really means. Andrew said it had to do mainly with the engravings on the movement. The latest version is a higher price than I wanted to pay. Especially once I factored in the exchange to US $. This version was a better price point for me and I really wanted the Miyota 9015 movement.

 

Congrats on the new AP... good for you on the deal. Don't want to piss on your parade but what's the deal with the two uppermost bezel screws? Did it come from the TD that way?

 

 

Regarding the "two uppermost bezel screws" comment, not sure what you mean. I'm looking at the actual watch in my hand and the bezel screws look pretty fine to me. The pictures were taken with my phone (S5) with no special controlled lighting. I find photos with my phone irritating and sometimes brings out reflections that are unnatural or accentuated. Elaborate on the comment anyway. Perhaps I'll take a better shot.

 

The top screws are not turned the right way. If you follow the slots of the screw heads they should form a sort of invisible line around the bezel

 

But congrats on the watch. A fantastic piece. Those screws are probably just glued in so its likely not un-fixable

Edited by wowsasb

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gwkiw

Interesting. Learn something new every day. Hilarious. The original QC pics they were oriented correctly. I had the TD replace some of the screws as they were marked up. I was so focused on the finish of the screws I didn't notice the orientation change.

 

Most people I've shown the watch to just go 'oooooohh' 'aaaaaaah' but no one has noticed the screws. The watch is the same construction as the original with the bezel locked by the case back screws. At some point I'll attempt to correct the issue. I'm not about to ship it back over something like that. Oh well live and learn. I am still thrilled with the watch.

Edited by gwkiw

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simonbolivar
Interesting. Learn something new every day. Hilarious. The original QC pics they were oriented correctly. I had the TD replace some of the screws as they were marked up. I was so focused on the finish of the screws I didn't notice the orientation change.

 

Most people I've shown the watch to just go 'oooooohh' 'aaaaaaah' but no one has noticed the screws. The watch is the same construction as the original with the bezel locked by the case back screws. At some point I'll attempt to correct the issue. I'm not about to ship it back over something like that. Oh well live and learn. I am still thrilled with the watch.

 

Yeah man, very easy fix. And no one besides us OCD watch freaks will even notice. Just make sure you've got a decent screwdriver before you open her up. Otherwise you'll chew up the case back screws.

 

Enjoy!

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gwkiw

Allright! The bezel screw orientation has been corrected. Balance is once again restored in the AP Universe. :picard: Easy fix.

Bezel_fix.jpg

 

Edited by gwkiw

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azeus

Solid choice

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watchfanhu

Awesome piece minus the screw fuck ups.

 

What is the difference between this and the newest jf version?

 

Btw learning the rep game makes you a real bad ass gen owner later that really will know his stuff :)

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gwkiw

Thanks. The TD said the main differences are the engravings on the movement. This version was also at a better price point for me. With the currency exchange hit I have to take I wanted to keep it reasonable for my first AP purchase. Andrew said I wouldn't be dissapointed.

 

Now I def. Will need another one at some point. My next AP purchase will be a Rose gold 15400 Miyota 9015 with white dial and brown leather strap. Probably the JHF version.

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Stewart

Great looking watch. I have had many APs and this is a classic. Enjoy!

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Bprince

Nice watch!

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josephstainton95

Looking to pick up one of these myself, how did you fix the screw orientation problem? This will be me first purchase, did you make the order through TT or contact Andrew directly?

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gwkiw

The screw orientation fix was easy. The rear bezel screws are connected through the case to the front bezel screws. I just secured the watch in a holder and with one screwdriver carefully held the front bezel screw from moving and with a second screw driver carefully loosened the rear bezel screw just enough so I could move the top bezel screw out of it's hex recess and re-orientate it correctly, set it back in. Carefully hold the top re-positioned bezel screw in place and re-tighten the rear bezel screw. Just have to be careful the screw drivers don't slip and mark up a screw or worse scratch the bezel.

 

I've ordered from TT before directly off the website. Worked fine using the Paypal option. There is always email communication involved, QC pics etc. For this purchase this time I just contacted Andrew directly by email with what I was interested in. A few emails back and forth. Confirmed stock. Did a WU transfer. Done deal.

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