Godfathar 1 Posted March 8, 2016 I think this particular watch is one of the most discussed watches on the forum, so I will not go into discussing all particular details of the two versions. I only would like to say that I fell in love with the 15400 when I have found the forum, after seeing the 15400 rose gold watch of Phantomtech with a double AR crystal and a gen jacob strap, I thought to myself I want that. it took me quite a while to educate myself and learn the different versions of the 15400.. the eta the miyota, the light you name it.. but I placed my first order after consulting with Phantomtech, and with his kind heart, he guided a noob to find his way through to all the missing modding elements of the watch to make it perfect. so after few months of communication with the different modders, I ended up with the exact TF that once I saw on Phantomtech famous picture thread. Only to be shocked that he sold all his TF collection and replaced them with the new JF 15400 version. That has to say something, if he did this, that means those babies are superior. I tried to convince myself that the TF is better in many ways, but I couldn't keep that argument for too long, especially when those TF bezel screws started screaming at me " REPPPPPPP". so just after finally getting my duct out TF with jacob strap and profsteve crystal, I ended up placing a new order after having a gen blue dialed steel 15400 for a day, and realized the TF is not so closely done, and realized that the JF is more superior in all ways, including the tap on the dial that many complain about. Cut the story short, I received the JF 15400, this time I learned my lesson, and ordered the watch in bracelet, and ordered the rep strap and buckle on the side.. Honestly, I was astonished by the quality when I held it in my hand. it's the first time for me to order a bracelet, I loved the weight of the bracelet.. the details are exquisite, those bezel screws are so on point with the gen.. Not as thick as many were complaining about, on my hand I couldn't see it, and that's before I measured it to realize that the difference is minimal. I'm not big on deco movement, but still thought it was a plus when looking at it.. The watch ticked all the boxes. that tap that many were talking about would never show on the hand without being under a microscope. Toro did a great job selecting a flawless piece, and that's what counts the most. Now come to the comparison. both watches were measured 3 times and resetting the measurement tool to zero and still got mostly same measurements here 0.01 difference.. I thought It's best to have one picture of each watch right after each other to have a better clear picture of both.. so let's go with it shall we? For reference, TF does not have a bracelet, JF has a bracelet. Plus first pictures with date 15 is always TF, and second similar picture with date 7 always JF. In the end, I would like to say that on the wrist (which to me is the most important part) both watches would look the same minus the bezel screw size that would be a tell that something is off with the 15400 for the trained eye, even that it's not as noticeable as you may think if you are not trained nor having a JF or gen in hand to compare. but other differences are only for the OCD that will hold both under a magnifying lens and will sit and complain that this one doesn't have this, and that one has that.. but on the wrist the JF would win in my opinion just solely because of the right size bezel screws and perhaps the right font on the DW, as to me this has become so easy to spot from far. I hope this would give a great insight to the ones still contemplating the purchase. today I have replaced the the JF bracelet with my jacobs gen leather strap that was installed on the TF. I uninstalled the strap with the links from the TF and placed it on the JF and it fits perfectly. I decided after a long contemplation to not add a 2XAR crystal to the JF. the crystal is magnificent, and much closer to gen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) GF, immense thanks for this write up! Clap clap Clap I did not pull the trigger on either TF or JF because i was in a dilemma. Your review firmed up my decision! Phew! Wear it well. Irony is that i cant carry gold/ rose gold. I will settle for SS. Edited March 8, 2016 by Jasonbaylee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 8, 2016 Thank you Jasonbaylee for the kind words, to tell you the truth, I went for the RG as first choice before purchasing the SS. the RG on gen leather strap is not as bling as you may think. it's actually subtle. on bracelet on the other hand is a different story.. lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted March 8, 2016 Thats a nice consideration, GF! I have flipped the gen rose gold n the hue was breathless. Im not sure the rep; is it close to gen, GF? Appreciate your many enclosed pics!!! They speak volumes! Love to see your SS 15400 pics too. Why not upload here? Wear them well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2hot2trot 4 Posted March 8, 2016 A superb informative review. It has certainly settled my view on the best factory for these little beauties. Thank you for your time and effort. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 8, 2016 Thats a nice consideration, GF! I have flipped the gen rose gold n the hue was breathless. Im not sure the rep; is it close to gen, GF? Appreciate your many enclosed pics!!! They speak volumes! Love to see your SS 15400 pics too. Why not upload here? Wear them well... On the wrist it looks so close to gen, I think the only way you could probably see the difference in RG color if you put the JF (or the TF for that matter as it is same color) with the gen and compare. and since I have never had a gen RG in my hand, I can't tell you what is the difference between the two. in other words it's insignificant to worry about the color, as no one including you will notice the difference in RG color between the rep and gen. I never ordered the SS, so I don't know.. perhaps someone else can help out with pics of SS.. on the other hand here are few pics of the gen blue dial SS that I had with me for a day.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WatchaholicMallorca 2 Posted March 8, 2016 Surprised to see the Jacobs strap you had made for the TF fits on the JF as I saw on here that the end links were different. Owning a nautlus RG on strap think if I went for a RO it would have to be on a bracelet, although I don't think I could pull it off! Great pics and good write up! Cheers AE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 8, 2016 ^^ you are right.. jacobs strap that was made with the TF plot would not fit the JF links as the plot is different. what I did is that I uninstalled the strap with the TF links, I did not detach the strap from the TF links, and installed the TF links on the JF case. the TF links fit JF case. I hope that was clear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phantomtech 4 Posted March 8, 2016 Great review and write up, your photos are superb! And I agree, the JF wins overall. The TF bezel screws are the biggest tell on this model.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 8, 2016 ^^ Thanks buddy for the inspiration Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daywatch 4 Posted March 8, 2016 Great and nicely written review: simple, transparent and clear. Supported by some very well done illustrative pics. Thanks for this comparison, it´s very well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 8, 2016 True pleasure Daywatch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WatchaholicMallorca 2 Posted March 8, 2016 ^^ you are right.. jacobs strap that was made with the TF plot would not fit the JF links as the plot is different. what I did is that I uninstalled the strap with the TF links, I did not detach the strap from the TF links, and installed the TF links on the JF case. the TF links fit JF case. I hope that was clear. Ok now I get ya, good job the watch looks great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hitman92 0 Posted March 9, 2016 Great review! I've also been in the Ap market. I definitely will be purchasing a JF rep! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lev 6 Posted March 10, 2016 Amazing write up my man! Definitely helped me to decide which factory I'll go for as I've been eyeing the 15400 for a while now. I've seen the gen version multiple times at work (in RG, SS, etc.) and it's just such a subtly luxurious watch. I don't really ever get the deal with the straps though. How would you go about changing the JF leather strap to a gen leather strap for an AP? Is it really complicated and what needs to be taken into account? Some clarification would be great! Other than that, great taste and watch! I like what I see of your shirt too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 10, 2016 Amazing write up my man! Definitely helped me to decide which factory I'll go for as I've been eyeing the 15400 for a while now. I've seen the gen version multiple times at work (in RG, SS, etc.) and it's just such a subtly luxurious watch. I don't really ever get the deal with the straps though. How would you go about changing the JF leather strap to a gen leather strap for an AP? Is it really complicated and what needs to be taken into account? Some clarification would be great! Other than that, great taste and watch! I like what I see of your shirt too. First of all put in the account when saying gen leather strap, that doesn't mean a gen AP strap. it is real genuine leather from a third party. Ok what you usually do is give the rep strap that you bought with the watch to a strap maker, in my case it was the all mighty Jacob, and he will destroy the strap by taking out the insert of the strap, and build the genuine leather strap with the original rep insert. this way when it is ready, it will fit the end links of the watch with no issues. and you will have a better quality strap than the rep strap. Having said that, on RWI, a TD had developed a strap with the insert in it, that means, you don't need to send in the rep strap to him to use the insert, he will provide his own insert that he made to fit the end links of the watch. you just have to specify the factory JF or TF for example, and specify the color. I have placed an order with him, and waiting for the gen leather JF strap, and will share the quality when I get it. For now, I will use jacob strap and end links of my TF until I receive the new one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted March 10, 2016 Thank you, GF ! Anticipate the 2nd episode of your great review! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwiceeStore 0 Posted March 10, 2016 Hello Godfathar, nice review as usual. How can I order Rep Leather strap for my 15400 rosegold? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kleen™ 45 Posted March 10, 2016 Great review! Makes me want (yet another goddamn) 15400 from JF....white or blue....hum-bum-bum....?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godfathar 1 Posted March 10, 2016 ^^ Personally I love the blue as it was the one I had for a whole day back in December, and that's the problem, cos now I can't seem to buy the blue JF as the color is not very close. So personally I would go for the white. Just because I can't seem to get over the slight difference in the shade of blue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lev 6 Posted March 10, 2016 Amazing write up my man! Definitely helped me to decide which factory I'll go for as I've been eyeing the 15400 for a while now. I've seen the gen version multiple times at work (in RG, SS, etc.) and it's just such a subtly luxurious watch. I don't really ever get the deal with the straps though. How would you go about changing the JF leather strap to a gen leather strap for an AP? Is it really complicated and what needs to be taken into account? Some clarification would be great! Other than that, great taste and watch! I like what I see of your shirt too. First of all put in the account when saying gen leather strap, that doesn't mean a gen AP strap. it is real genuine leather from a third party. Ok what you usually do is give the rep strap that you bought with the watch to a strap maker, in my case it was the all mighty Jacob, and he will destroy the strap by taking out the insert of the strap, and build the genuine leather strap with the original rep insert. this way when it is ready, it will fit the end links of the watch with no issues. and you will have a better quality strap than the rep strap. Having said that, on RWI, a TD had developed a strap with the insert in it, that means, you don't need to send in the rep strap to him to use the insert, he will provide his own insert that he made to fit the end links of the watch. you just have to specify the factory JF or TF for example, and specify the color. I have placed an order with him, and waiting for the gen leather JF strap, and will share the quality when I get it. For now, I will use jacob strap and end links of my TF until I receive the new one. Oh I know, just use gen to kind of counter the rubbish rep straps haha That is absolutely brilliant, cheers for the clarification and the tip mate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pluemzii 0 Posted March 11, 2016 Excuse me, I've some questions. I'm not really good at english. For the JF one, if I order it in a bracelet one can I change it to a leather or rubber strap in the future? Thx Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,497 Posted March 11, 2016 Excuse me, I've some questions. I'm not really good at english. For the JF one, if I order it in a bracelet one can I change it to a leather or rubber strap in the future? Thx Not directly. You need to order also a strap (to take out the replica strap plastic inserts) complete of the endlinks (these in the red circles): Share this post Link to post Share on other sites