semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 Following up from my previous review on the Royal Oak JF V3, I had set out a plan on collecting various Royal Oak iterations in that review. Now I have the gold case 15400, blue dial 15400 and a 26320 PVD. Still haven't got round to the glittershit 15454 though. One day.... The Watch The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref 15202ST.OO.1240ST.01 is the modern incarnation of the original Royal Oak produced in 1972. Blah blah blah Gerald Genta blah blah blah King Charles hiding in an oak tree blah blah blah borderline pornographic blah blah blah 39mm was "Jumbo" back then blah blah blah TL:DR it's a classic iconic pornographic timepiece. It's smaller and fits me well. Buy it. That sweet sweet blue.... RRP: GBP 21,900 "Semperfi both pics are not 10:10, definite fake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Second pic is mine, that's how good the rep looks The Rep I got this rep via M2M on RWI. It was a C&R buy from Sead/Supermirrors, a TD on RWI. But I'm assuming our fine TDs on here should be able to source it no problem. Initially, I wanted to buy the actual automatic 15202 that has been mentioned before. But, that rep has the wrong rotor aesthetic and costs about USD 280 IIRC. This quartz version has the right words on the dial (previous quartz versions were very honest re automatic ) and cheap. USD 130+ if new, less on M2M Since the 15202 has no second hand, I figured that an automatic movement would be a luxury I can forego. Dimensions The gen is 39mm in case diameter and 8.1mm in thickness. My rep measured out to be: Case diameter: 39.2mm Case height: 7.9mm(!) Huge tell!!!!!! Lug to lug: 48mm Dial Compared to the dial fonts on AP reps around this price point, this rep is doing fine! The words are very legible and crisp from afar. Strong DWO game here, the DWO background is blue too!! No mods necessary The date window is aaaaaalmost aligned to the minute/second markers as per gen. Thankfully no additional minute markers by the date window. The logo is decent, but of course lacks the white lume bit between the A and P. "Swiss Made" "Nice baton stick markers, did you get them from the baton store?" The dial colour is too dynamic, too variable. It plays with the light well, but I don't think the gen 15202 is that dynamic. It's still very pretty though.... I might prefer it to a more gen-looking dial In conclusion, beautiful dynamic blue dial. Perhaps a bit too dynamic... In fact it reminds me more of the SIHH 2018 release with titanium case and smoked blue dial. Movement Check out that sweet rotor action! JK this is what it looks like on the quartz rep... Nothing to shout or cry about. It's a quartz movement, don't ask what's inside. We're all here for the sexy dial pics. That's how they cut the cost. But meh, so far nobody is complaining, except for my wrist who has to see that caseback all the time. Case & Bezel The case finish is not as good as the JF of course. This watch is very slim!! Bezel screws don't look too bad. Could be smaller but hey-ho... Still better casing than a lot of gate reps at this price range!! Bracelet & Clasp The bracelet is well done, comfortable to wear! Had to remove most of the links as usual... AP have a winning design for that bracelet. It looks good even as a replica. Some clasp details, no idea on the level of detail objectively. It's fun making the watch stand on its own! Nice clasp logo there. Function It can make your dreams come true! (TD specs so YMMV) Timekeeping and date function. The bread and butter. Classic traditional family values, all the good stuff. It also has pretty sick lume too @McGilli, would totally give you blue balls.... Accuracy It's a quartz! No jokes about disasters or historical figures needed today Overall With my tiny wrist, the 41mm 15400 is pushing the limits a bit. Not the case diameter per se, more of how the bracelet curves down from the lugs. The 39mm 15202 is a much better fit for me. This rep is cheap, runs on quartz which allows it to be thinner than gen, and has an amazing blue dial. You can even pretend its based off the smoked-blue SIHH 2018 release! Cons are the quartz movement, so no rotor (no rep version has the correct rotor anyway), lack of the white bit between A and P. Pedants and purists can go buy the gen If you rank thinness and dial colour higher in your priorities than movement and caseback, and want a price compromise, I would heartily recommend this rep! Cheeky wristie... standard fare 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 8 minutes ago, GingerBlubba said: *Like *Like *Like Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted September 8, 2018 Semperfi55, I enjoyed this write up! Thank you for collating all the pics n stark comparison n adding a touch of your feelings!I like 3! Hahahaha "There are more than 1 road to Rome...." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdnica 107 Posted September 8, 2018 @semperfi55, an excellent review on the one Royal Oak I covet. You clearly are following a path set out by our French friend, the Yoda of Reviews, @Glaude ! Been looking (lurking?) around at options for awhile, and had come to a similar conclusion as you... that the quartz version made sense given the lack of a seconds hand and the poor representation of the actual movement in the 15202. But I did come across a JF version over at a TD from the 'other' Board. Granted, it's just shy of $500, but what do you think of the movement? As compared to your gen shot: 1 hour ago, semperfi55 said: Some obvious 'tells' even to me who lives life constantly struggling with the consequences of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Nor would I spend close to $500 on this particular rep (especially since I'm currently bound by law to spend almost $500 on a Blue Bathyscaphye for my wife). But it's not too bad.....? @GenTLe, perhaps you can point out all the various ways this movement fails to impress and disgraces the art of rep manufacturing? But it's the closest I've found. Again, nice rep and nice review! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted September 8, 2018 JF 15202 thickness is a killer "There are more than 1 road to Rome...." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdnica 107 Posted September 8, 2018 10 minutes ago, Jasonbaylee said: JF 15202 thickness is a killer "There are more than 1 road to Rome...." Here's the propoganda on the rep: Size 39mm x 9.5mm Movement Base Movement: Japanese MIYOTA 9015 24J automatic movement at 28800vph (Same stability as Swiss ETA movements) Decoration: Platinum plated movement plate and rotor which are made according to the genuine movement, the best looking AP Calibre 2121 Movement Functions Hours, minutes, seconds and date display Case 1:1 replicated solid 316L stainless steel case Crystal Scratch-proof sapphire crystal with colorless anti-reflection coating Dial Blue textured dial with polished rehaut same as genuine Bezel Brushed/polished stainless steel bezel (same construction as genuine) with recessed bezel screws as per genuine Strap Super high quality stainless steel bracelet Clasp Double deployant buckle(same engraving as genuine) Water resistance >50 Meters Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted September 8, 2018 Lazy ass review ... come on ! Nice pics for a very nice watch ! I don't mind the dynamic of the dial, that's even what I would expect from it and judging by your pics. Quartz would be my route too on a 2 hander, reliability and in the end nobody's gonna look under your watch ! 13 minutes ago, bdnica said: French friend, the Yoda of Reviews, @Glaude ! Thanking you, Glaude is ! 13 minutes ago, bdnica said: Granted, it's just shy of $500, but what do you think of the movement? Too much money thrown a such a little detail and you get to have a thicker watch in the end. One of the design features of this watch is to be very thin and flat so I would try to source the quartz version and save the money for another rep Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bdnica 107 Posted September 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, Glaude said: 17 minutes ago, bdnica said: Too much money thrown a such a little detail and you get to have a thicker watch in the end. One of the design features of this watch is to be very thin and flat so I would try to source the quartz version and save the money for another rep Wise is he. I agree. The quartz version it shall be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 26 minutes ago, Jasonbaylee said: Thank you for collating all the pics n stark comparison n adding a touch of your feelings! Cheers mate 18 minutes ago, bdnica said: But I did come across a JF version over at a TD from the 'other' Board. Granted, it's just shy of $500, but what do you think of the movement? Thanks for the kind words Woah...the caseback is indeed pretty but the selling point of the 15202 is how slim it is. Battle of priorities between thickness and caseback aesthetic. Huge price difference too! It's a good step forward but perhaps they're not there yet (repmakers might not even attempt a better version, who knows) That said if I had $500 to spare (more than 5 gate watches!!!), I can live by 9.5mm. But like you said, it's TD propaganda, it might be thicker... Ultimately, it's a lot of money to improve an aesthetic that I can't see most of the time. If it's pricey because of dial side aesthetic I can understand Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 10 minutes ago, Glaude said: Lazy ass review ... come on ! This watch is so pretty I'll let the pics do the talking!! High standards, the Frenchie possess Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,501 Posted September 8, 2018 Good movement, it is a standard Miyota with the usual fake plate on top.Personally I prefer no fake plates... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted September 8, 2018 Great review, I really like to get an automatic 8.1mm, but I guess we won't see one soon :-/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 3 hours ago, VMSG said: Great review, I really like to get an automatic 8.1mm, but I guess we won't see one soon :-/ Cheers mate Get the quartz When JF eventually release the 8.1mm Auto the price will be ridiculous... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted September 8, 2018 Cheers mate Get the quartz When JF eventually release the 8.1mm Auto the price will be ridiculous...I don't care paying a ridiculous price (as long as it is less than 20k :-)) for a super rep for this watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 9 minutes ago, VMSG said: I don't care paying a ridiculous price (as long as it is less than 20k :-)) for a super rep for this watch Fair enough mate! I want your job though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McGilli 1 Posted September 8, 2018 11 hours ago, semperfi55 said: It's smaller and fits me well. I bet it does.... 11 hours ago, semperfi55 said: The logo is decent, but of course lacks the white lume bit between the A and P. Well then what IS the point of even owning this? Ugh.... White lume bits... There better be something better in this review or I'm asking for a refund on my time... 11 hours ago, semperfi55 said: It also has pretty sick lume too @McGilli, would totally give you blue balls.... OMFG - BEST REVIEW EVER!!!!! That's the official THOMMO WATCH V. 2.5 Glow in the dark add-on attachment for telling the time in the dark!!!!!!! That was released only briefly before the reports of men turning up to the Emergency Rooms with a strange glow coming from inside them!!!! As @Thommo82 so eloquently said back in that thread - "Time To Get Fucked" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 8, 2018 14 minutes ago, McGilli said: I bet it does.... 14 minutes ago, McGilli said: There better be something better in this review or I'm asking for a refund on my time... "Review ok friend, no problem. No refund. I can give discount next time friend." 14 minutes ago, McGilli said: As @Thommo82 so eloquently said back in that thread - "Time To Get Fucked" I knew I shouldn't have clicked the link Literally unleashed Pandora's Cock.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted September 9, 2018 Fair enough mate! I want your job though Lol :-)I'm a sucker for thickness, what can I do... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted September 9, 2018 One second read, that is not the best phrasing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 9, 2018 2 hours ago, VMSG said: One second read, that is not the best phrasing... No need to backtrack mate.... we all understand..... There's a sense of fulfillment when the thickness is right Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dabeda 0 Posted September 9, 2018 With my tiny wrist, the 41mm 15400 is pushing the limits a bit. Not the case diameter per se, more of how the bracelet curves down from the lugs. The 39mm 15202 is a much better fit for me.Great review and great watch!Because of you, im tempted now.What size is your wrist?I hesitate between this quartz 15202 and the JF 15450 (37mm).Anyone with experiences with those 2? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 9, 2018 14 minutes ago, dabeda said: What size is your wrist? My wrist is 6.5 inches, tiny. No experience with the 15450. Go try out the 15400 at an AD, it might help you decide More choices of versions and colours for the 15400 Me wearing the JF V3 15400. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dabeda 0 Posted September 9, 2018 Mine is almost the same. 15400 should be too big for me either. I’m not very confortable to go to an AD to try an 15k€ watch just to choose witch 300€ I would buy... but I should try :-P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted September 9, 2018 41 minutes ago, dabeda said: I’m not very confortable to go to an AD to try an 15k€ watch just to choose witch 300€ I would buy... but I should try :-P Don't be, if they're professionals they should know to treat customers with respect regardless of perceived wealth. The only ADs where I have had snobbery rubbed in my face consistently is Rolex and Patek. Folks at Lange or Vacheron Constantin were happy to let me try out their £60,000-£70,000 watches. Remember to grab a catalogue on your way out too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
