15400 vs 15510

[Son Goku]

Hi everyone. I’m currently debating between a steel 15400 and a 15510 for my first Royal Oak. I’m not a huge fan of the 15500 so would consider that one ruled out.

I know the 15510 has the upgraded movement and other tweaks, but I’m curious hearing from others who have either owned or handled both what your honest thoughts are.

They both seem like amazing watches to me, but would love to hear some perspectives including which one you prefer and why! Thanks in advance

[Bearxj86]

The 15510 has a thinner and more comfortable bracelet. The dial layout also makes it look bigger.

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by Bearxj86

The 15510 has a thinner and more comfortable bracelet. The dial layout also makes it look bigger.

Agree with your first sentence although for some reason I find the 15510 to wear smaller than the 15400.

I found the 15500 to wear the largest by quite some margin compared to the 2 in consideration.

I like the larger movement in the 15510 also it fills the watch more appropriately and looks nicer through the case back.

Nice choice to be making OP


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[epc2]

That's a tough decision! Both the 15400 and 15510 are incredible pieces. The 15400 has that classic Royal Oak charm, while the 15510 offers the latest upgrades and improvements. If you value a more traditional design, the 15400 might be the way to go.

[Ichiran]

Both 41mm are too big for my wrist unless my muscles upgrade to Super Saiyan.

[scottmlew]

Originally Posted by Son Goku

I’m not a huge fan of the 15500 so would consider that one ruled out.

I'm curious, what don't you like about the 15500? I want to get a 15500 or 15510 and was leaning toward the 15500.

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Maybe consider getting instead a 15300 at 39mm (which wears big)…..

[Son Goku]

Originally Posted by scottmlew

I'm curious, what don't you like about the 15500? I want to get a 15500 or 15510 and was leaning toward the 15500.

I'm not a huge fan of the dial design. The AP logo to me feels like a bit of an afterthought with the lack of the automatic text and I also don't like the shortened hour markers and minute track.

[matthew P]

Because pictures make every thread better.




When the 15500 first came out I preferred the 15400 because it felt like it had less empty space and I preferred the 3 0clock marker.

Now that they have lengthened the markers , moved the date to the edge and simplified the dial I now find myself preferring the new 15510 to the 15400.
Love love love the black dial.

I’m not an owner and FWIW I prefer the 15550 on my wrist so factor that into your decision process.
The 41mm looks better to me on a computer screen but in person the 37mm looks better to me on wrist.

YMMV.
Good
Luck either way.

Always been a grail of mine


..Explorer & Spring Diver - I’m just here for the photos..

[SN2354]

Originally Posted by matthew P

Because pictures make every thread better.




When the 15500 first came out I preferred the 15400 because it felt like it had less empty space and I preferred the 3 0clock marker.

Now that they have lengthened the markers , moved the date to the edge and simplified the dial I now find myself preferring the new 15510 to the 15400.
Love love love the black dial.

I’m not an owner and FWIW I prefer the 15550 on my wrist so factor that into your decision process.
The 41mm looks better to me on a computer screen but in person the 37mm looks better to me on wrist.

YMMV.
Good
Luck either way.

Always been a grail of mine


..Explorer & Spring Diver - I’m just here for the photos..

This is a great comparison. To me the 15500 is the goldilocks of the 3. I for one love having the "AP" on the dial, and at the same time it should wear smaller than a 15400 due to the lugs being shorter. The 15510 does take it to the next level as the bracelet is a bit more tapered, and of course hour markers on the dial are larger which is a welcomed change.

All in all, if OP is only considering 15400 vs 15510 I think the answer is clear the latest and greatest 15510 should be the king for a while!

[neal.jy]

I had a 15400 and have tried on a few 15510’s. I prefer the 15510 by a narrow margin - the galvanized growth “Audemars Piguet” logo looks really nice in person (for me definitely better than the printed version), and the new bracelet is much more comfortable to me than the old one.

Can’t go wrong either way!


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[911cz]

Really happy with my 15400. I personally like the Automatic script on the dial.

[Son Goku]

Originally Posted by SN2354

This is a great comparison. To me the 15500 is the goldilocks of the 3. I for one love having the "AP" on the dial, and at the same time it should wear smaller than a 15400 due to the lugs being shorter. The 15510 does take it to the next level as the bracelet is a bit more tapered, and of course hour markers on the dial are larger which is a welcomed change.

All in all, if OP is only considering 15400 vs 15510 I think the answer is clear the latest and greatest 15510 should be the king for a while!

Could you please clarify where the lugs are shorter?

[SN2354]

Originally Posted by Son Goku

Could you please clarify where the lugs are shorter?

Lug to lug, top to bottom.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Im biased as I owned a 15400 for soon 10 years but I find the slimmer case profile more elegant.

[Lemarp]

I own both the 15400 and 15510. I think I might have posted some comparison pics in an older post.

I prefer my 15400. The applied AP, Automatic text, case that wears bigger and more substantial bracelet are all winners. The thing I don't like as much about the 15400 is the smaller movement.

That said, you can't really go wrong. They are my 2 favourite watches in my collection, followed closely by my AP Diver.

[Il-Re]

I prefer the 15400 for the dial layout, I think it is better balanced and closer to the original royal oak design. Of course the 15510 has some great upgrades such as the movement, I didn't particularly like the thinner bracelet, i like the 15400 more. you can't go wrong with either really.

[salnuaimi]

I won a 15500 and would say 15510

[Son Goku]

Originally Posted by Lemarp

I own both the 15400 and 15510. I think I might have posted some comparison pics in an older post.

I prefer my 15400. The applied AP, Automatic text, case that wears bigger and more substantial bracelet are all winners. The thing I don't like as much about the 15400 is the smaller movement.

That said, you can't really go wrong. They are my 2 favourite watches in my collection, followed closely by my AP Diver.

By the case wearing bigger do you mean dimensionally? I think the 15400 is thinner than the 15510 right?

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Son Goku

By the case wearing bigger do you mean dimensionally? I think the 15400 is thinner than the 15510 right?

By 0.7mm or so, IIRC. Enough to be noticeable.

[Son Goku]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

By 0.7mm or so, IIRC. Enough to be noticeable.

Yes definitely. I was actually able to see them side by side this week and the 15400 case is noticeably thinner although the 15510 still doesn't feel like a chunky watch in terms of the case thickness by any means.

[7sins]

I've owned all three and have another 15510 in blue coming Monday. 15500 was my least favorite, the dial felt empty and made the watch wear optically too large. The 15400 is a close second to the 15510, I just prefer the dial without the automatic label. 15510 is a perfect balance, with just the right dial and marker size. 15400 would be a good alternative, would not take a 15500.

[Son Goku]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I've owned all three and have another 15510 in blue coming Monday. 15500 was my least favorite, the dial felt empty and made the watch wear optically too large. The 15400 is a close second to the 15510, I just prefer the dial without the automatic label. 15510 is a perfect balance, with just the right dial and marker size. 15400 would be a good alternative, would not take a 15500.

I'm with you on the 15500. Besides the lack of the automatic text are there other things about the case/bracelet on the 15510 you feel is superior to the 15400? I know they're slightly different, but always curious hearing from those who have actually owned and lived with the watches.

Thank you for your feedback

[Lemarp]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

By 0.7mm or so, IIRC. Enough to be noticeable.

Its very noticeable when you put them side by side. I think AP did this so that the big size could fit more wrists.

Hopefully this works but I posted some pics here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=892101

[SN2354]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I've owned all three and have another 15510 in blue coming Monday. 15500 was my least favorite, the dial felt empty and made the watch wear optically too large. The 15400 is a close second to the 15510, I just prefer the dial without the automatic label. 15510 is a perfect balance, with just the right dial and marker size. 15400 would be a good alternative, would not take a 15500.

If the 15500 dial felt empty, just curious what makes you feel differently about the 15510? If you do not like the "automatic" on the dial, why do you dislike the 15500 so much? Could it be the markers make that much of a difference?

I am not trying to knock you, I am generally interested to hear as I can get my hands on a 15500 but as you can imagine they are a bit harder to see in person when dealing with grey market dealers.

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by SN2354

If the 15500 dial felt empty, just curious what makes you feel differently about the 15510? If you do not like the "automatic" on the dial, why do you dislike the 15500 so much? Could it be the markers make that much of a difference?

I am not trying to knock you, I am generally interested to hear as I can get my hands on a 15500 but as you can imagine they are a bit harder to see in person when dealing with grey market dealers.

For me, I find that the longer indices of the 15510 make it look visually (significantly) smaller to the 15500. I can’t speak for others but I just find that the 15510 just looks better balanced


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[Il-Re]

Originally Posted by SN2354

If the 15500 dial felt empty, just curious what makes you feel differently about the 15510? If you do not like the "automatic" on the dial, why do you dislike the 15500 so much? Could it be the markers make that much of a difference?

I am not trying to knock you, I am generally interested to hear as I can get my hands on a 15500 but as you can imagine they are a bit harder to see in person when dealing with grey market dealers.

I didn't find the 15500 and 15510 that different, the 15500 has an outer minute track with breaks up the dial slightly, so for the grey dial I thought it wore smaller, it blends in with the metal, wit black the dial size was more obvious. I did think the 15400 with the applied logo, text AND longer markers actually wore really well and felt the closest to a jumbo.

[7sins]

Originally Posted by SN2354

If the 15500 dial felt empty, just curious what makes you feel differently about the 15510? If you do not like the "automatic" on the dial, why do you dislike the 15500 so much? Could it be the markers make that much of a difference?

I am not trying to knock you, I am generally interested to hear as I can get my hands on a 15500 but as you can imagine they are a bit harder to see in person when dealing with grey market dealers.

The 15510 markers are noticeably larger and longer than the 15500 which makes the dial feel less empty, IMO it was noticeable. The bracelet is also thinner and feels less bulky. I am also annoyingly detail orientated and notice the smallest things, perhaps less noticeable to most but the 15510 wore much better IMO. You put "automatic" on $100 watches, not high horology watches, just thought that was tacky on the 15400 but otherwise a great watch - it was the first thing my eyes would gravitate towards on the 15400. Just my .02 of the three, put a gun to my head and I am picking a jumbo.

[Son Goku]

Originally Posted by 7sins

The 15510 markers are noticeably larger and longer than the 15500 which makes the dial feel less empty, IMO it was noticeable. The bracelet is also thinner and feels less bulky. I am also annoyingly detail orientated and notice the smallest things, perhaps less noticeable to most but the 15510 wore much better IMO. You put "automatic" on $100 watches, not high horology watches, just thought that was tacky on the 15400 but otherwise a great watch - it was the first thing my eyes would gravitate towards on the 15400. Just my .02 of the three, put a gun to my head and I am picking a jumbo.

But the jumbo also has "automatic" on the dial

I think because the Jumbo has it, and has had it from the beginning, you could make an argument that the dial of the 15400 is more reminiscent of the Jumbo in that sense along with the thinner hour markers.

[John Doyle]

15400 is the best of the 2.