15400 vs 15202 Jumbo

[Snow-Dweller]

Greetings TRFers.

I intend buying my first AP pretty soon now. I have gotten the strong impression from numerous posts here on the forum that many "people who know" believe that the 15202 is the one to have.

My gut feeling draws me towards the 15400 with black dial. I have 7.5 inch wrists so the 41mm suits me, and I am having difficulty getting my head around the idea of a watch with no second hand. The 15400 also happens to be substantially less money.

I would appreciate hearing your opinions on why the 15202 is considered the "one to have" over and above the 15400. Thank you.

[AK797]

I understand the appeal of the 400 for larger wrists and the nicer price point. However I do find the dial to be rather large and wide, the 202's is better balanced. Yes, the no seconds hand is a bit of a shame on the 202 but then the date position on the 400 is not ideal so they kind of cancel out for me. So as the 202 is the reincarnation of the original Jumbo and also has the lovely open caseback with that rotor then this would be my choice, and esp if blue dial is your first choice.

[selpo]

I got my Jumbo earlier this yr after going thru the same dilemma- I have 7 in wrists and initially tried the 15400 black dial, looked good but did not wow me. For me, it felt a little chunky. Also, the black dial did not pop as much- looked mostly the same at different angles and lighting.
I ordered the 15202 sight unseen and have been very happy with it- thin and drapes over your wrist, the petite tapisserie blue dial is amazing and I do not miss the seconds hand!
It was about $5000 difference and for me, it was worth it!! I will post some pics soon and am sure Gus and fabio will chime in with their pics as well!
Having said that, both are amazing watches and you cannot go wrong with either one of them!!

[benlee]

The 15400 / 15300 series of AP RO was probably conceived to be a sportier version of the Jumbo with a lower price point and marketed as such. The problem is that it is not possible to improve upon perfection. I used to own both the 15400 and Jumbo for a short while before it comes obvious that the 15202 is simply superior and way more perfectly designed. I end up selling the 15400. Now by itself ( ie the 15400 ), this is not obvious. It's only when you compare the two that it become very obvious. So unless the price gap is a significant hinderance, Jumbo 15202 is the way to go. Just go to an AD and try out both and you can tell the difference.

If a sportier, chunkier version of the RO is what you want, maybe you can look at the chronograph version instead.

[mikeceee]

The 15202 jumbo easily. The movement is divine the blue petite tapisserie pops and is so versatile. The bracelet is amazing and its so thin (but not too thin like the 5711). Also with the ap at 6pm the 15202 will hold value so much better down the road.

I was in the same dilemma and chose the 15202 with no regrets. I've been daily
Wearing it.

[JorgeCCW]

There are differences between them but the important question to answer is if those differences are significant enough for you to justify the additional 5k.
When I was at your position it didn't so I bought the 15300, but everything is relative because today I might see it different.

[B. Doggy]

Your wrist size is pretty big for a 202.

[NoVaSubowner]

I took a hard look at the 02 at the AD when I was buying the 15400. My wife felt the 15400 looked better on me and I have to agree. I also prefer having a 2nd hand on a watch

It felt better to me as well from coming off of 10 years of wearing various models of Submariners.
It had the "draping" quality of the 02 but the solid feel I was used to from Rolex, kicked up a notch through the movement and the incredible detail work on the case and the bracelet.

Either way you cant go wrong. The 15202 is a classic, faithful in every sense to the Genta design. The 15400 is a modern interpretation of that design as well.

Good luck

[subtona]

202

Try them on and it will certainly help you decide.

[watchucallit]

Over the years I have been able to make many compromises on what I can accept-- but i have never gotten over the fact that I cannot accept a watch that does not have a second hand.. That is just me.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by watchucallit

Over the years I have been able to make many compromises on what I can accept-- but i have never gotten over the fact that I cannot accept a watch that does not have a second hand.. That is just me.

For what it's worth, I view a second hand as essential on a manual wind watch but on an automatic it could be considered superfluous.

I like a second hand but it's not a deal breaker.

[Cru Jones]

Is 15400 in blue an option?

[selpo]

The 15400 blue dial is not the same as a 15202- Here are a few pics as promised!!

[martinr]

The blue dial 15400 has a different blue than the 15202

[Snow-Dweller]

Thank you Gentlemen for your interesting and knowledgable posts...

[Ots]

I was on a similar situation middle of this year. I already have the 15400 blue dial and was thinking of flipping it for the 15202. After seeing both side by side, there is no doubt that the 15202 is the clear winner. In the end I chose to add a different brand to my collection. But looking at yours, go straight to 15202 and don't look back! It's one of the best timepiece ever made!

[redsubby]

Originally Posted by watchucallit

Over the years I have been able to make many compromises on what I can accept-- but i have never gotten over the fact that I cannot accept a watch that does not have a second hand.. That is just me.

Same here, it's one of those things I will never accept. No second hand is definitely a deal breaker for me. Cost $5-7K more didn't help either.
15400 for your wrist size and if the no second hand is a concern to you.

[jojosnr]

wrist size is equally important. big big wrist + small small watch = weird weird look

[gingi310]

The 15400 is for the guy coming from a Panerai to an AP...
The 15202 is for the guy coming from a Patek to an AP...

-Jon in SF

[lapince]

I prefer the 202 but I have small wrists, seems to me that 7,5 wrists are more for the 400, but of course the Jumbo is a better piece IMO, but whichever get a blue one, for me RO's in blue are the most beautiful, but the others are great too...

[Baco Noir]

I have 7.25" wrists and the 15400 was a winner for me, but then again the extra $$$ for the jumbo put it out of my budget. The lack of second hand was not an issue for me at all, as I have a Breitling Aerospace and find it quite calming. Life ticks by at a stressful pace too often for me, so the lack of second hand is soothing for me.


Sent from my iPad Air 2 using Tapatalk (so I blame autocorrect for the spellin' errs)

[vette boy 52]

Both are beautiful pieces but the 15202 is THE one to have. I absolutely love mine it is a piece of art on your wrist, believe me.

[bayerische]

IMHO the 15400 is disproportionate. The 15300 looks great though.

[kissfromarose]

Have the 15400 and love it. Tried on the 15202 and it didn't feel great for me. Felt a bit too light and for lack of a better word, "plain" or "unsubstantial". Keep in mind that this is coming from a 44mm novelty as a weekend wearer.

Worked out that the one I liked better was less expensive :).

[GB-man]

I wanted a 15202 but after trying it on...I knew it wasn't for me. Way too small on my 7.5 wrist.

If you have a 7 plus wrist, the 15400 deserves consideration. I admire the originality of the 15202, but if it doesn't looks right, it doesn't look right.

I also lament the lack of second hand or quick date set.

If it fit me, I would have bit the bullet merely based on the beauty of the dial and movement. It is a stunner.

[blcblc]

15202 for me