APSF Royal Oak Offshore Diver 15707CE

[watchfarma 28]

Hi everyone!

First post here! I've been collecting reps and lurking around the forums for more than a decade now but never really posted; now I've finally got some time on my hands, thought I might share all the experience I've gleaned from the collective wisdom of all those involved and see if I can offer some of my own experience/s I've had with this amazing hobby of ours!

Recently got an APSF 15707CE from a dealer, as an upgrade from the good 'ol JF from back in the day.

JF is always LEFT, APSF on right unless otherwise specified.

First thing to note is the amazing quality of both watches, both visually and in physical feel. This is especially so then for the JF being that it's close to what, 6 years or so old now.
To nit pick now, I obviously don't have a gen or even seen one in person, so anyone correct me if I'm wrong, though I've always disliked the orange on the JF, it looks faded and bland. The APSF is I believe much more accurate, almost verging on a red type colour.
I do like the comparatively matte look of the hands on the JF.



Moving on to the dial, I believe the APSF is quite a bit more accurate than the JF; the Méga Tapisserie seems a lot more correctly sized and angular versus the JF's relatively shallower and rounded squares.
Something I want to point our here are the end links on the APSF: while their shape of the visible part is correct (and this I seem to have found on a lot of newer Offshore reps) is that they are very loose, as in their shape means they do not fit exactly and thus tightly to the case itself. The older gen ones from say JF and noob are solidly connected. So when flexed on the wrist, there becomes a gap between the end link itself and the case. A small quibble, but something I prefer on the older models and is also what I'm quite certain is more accurate, after looking at gen pics and vids.
What I really wanted to try and highlight in this pic is the very subtle, yet what AP are so renowned for with the Royal Oak: the finishing. Honestly, I personally feel (which may have no bearing on accuracy to gen) and surprisingly so, the JF has a done a better job. We can see the finishing on the JF the brushed finish is a lot "finer" giving the whole watch a more refined feeling. The JF accordingly has a much more glittery feel to it. The APSF bezel seems to have a much more similar to say a standard steel bezel AP, so maybe this is in fact more accurate.



Taking a side shot, one can again see what I mean with the brushed finish; seems finer on the old JF. Something much more subtle is that white line reflection of the light. We can notice the significantly thinner line on the JF. The APSF has a much fatter and comparatively blurry reflection. Again, more experienced members should correct me, but a more smaller sanding wheel/belt along with more even pressure should yield the cleaner and more even result of the JF.
Harder to see in my pics, but the finishing differences extends to the rear caseback, which we'll look into further down.




JF

APSF

 

Not much to say about the movement, of course this is the highlight here, finally a 15707 with a clone 3120 movement! I'll let the movement specialists debate how the merits of the clone movement vs a plated Miyota 9015. But hard to argue with the beauty of the clone 3120 and marvel and the amazing leaps in how far our reps have come 
The engraving on the APSF caseback seems to be better i.e. deeper.
As mentioned, the finishing on the caseback differences are very stark. Because of the lower grit used in the finishing on the APSF, it has a much more harsh feel to it. While the aspect of finishing can be subjective, the most disappointing part of the caseback is the material is stainless steel. The JF uses as per gen, titanium. While this may be subtle for some, the greyer colour difference on the JF should be very noticeable. I guess I also forgot to mention earlier on, the end links on the APSF are also only stainless steel. And so on this black 15707, the brightness of steel stands out much more noticeably.
This sadly also then extends to the pin buckle:

 

The finishing and engraving on the newer APSF is undoubtedly much better, though a shame since it is the wrong material.
 

 

Moving on finally to the strap. After watching some gen review videos, as we all do lol, I believe the APSF has the more correct strap markings. The JF one probably used the Royal Oak Offshore 44mm chronograph or other Offshore models. Although this could also just be a newer strap version. In saying that, the older JF strap feels "better" in that it feels more grainy and thus more detailed, feels softer and thus less cheap rubber like. Being less flexible, particularly near the end links/lugs, the strap tends to hang outward a lot, making it look a little big even for a average albeit rounder shaped 7 inch wrist like mine. The side profile shot comparing the two watches above should illustrate what I mean better.

Hope everyone enjoyed my comparison. Overall, while I do appreciate all the pros of the APSF (and perhaps there is a bit of nostalgia have my much loved JF directly next to it), I can't help but be a little disappointed with the APSF. While I can overlook some of things which might come down to preference, the inaccurate materials and the fact that it doesn't wear so well on me makes me lean sadly more towards the older model. Of course this by far no means that a lot of people will find nothing but love for the amazing job APSF have done overall with this piece. For me in the meantime, I've got the new ZF 15707CE on my shopping list hehehe, will post a comparison review hopefully soon!