Help with blue 15400ST

[Watchcentric]

Hi,

I would like to buy this blue 15400ST but the seller is in another country and I can only see some pictures (see below).

Can you please give your opinion on it. Want to be sure I'm buying a genuine 15400ST. It is a used watch by the way (not a BNIB).

Thanks in advance!

[benlee]

Looks genuine from outside, but I can't say for sure. The caseback looks different from mine. At roughly the same position, mine has the word "Audemars Piguet" engraved in the plates not covered by the gold rotor.

[travisb]

First off, that appears to be the black 15400. Could just be the angle.
These 3 pics look good, but you need to be 100% sure about the seller. How much contact have you had with them? Do they have references? etc.
That's a lot of money to be sending to another country if you are uncertain.
I also would ask for more pics and details.
There are many horror stories out there of people losing thousands...

[Hanz079]

Watch is a fake.
Movement is not right.

[scimps]

I'd certainly agree the movement seems very questionable

[AK797]

Fake, dial tapisserie is also wrong and the rotor engraving is far too thick.

[HKRolexFans]

From the face of it, the movement looks very fake but I am not expert

[SMD]

Run -- not real. Few obvious reasons that do not need to be discussed on here. Compare to pictures of a real one and you will be able to tell. This thread should be moved to Watchout.

[tavv160]

Because I found it hard to believe that replicas would be this close to the original, I googled "Replica Audemars Piguet 15400" and the first hit was a thread in another forum that was only about replica watches. These exact pictures come from that forum. So 100% certain it is a replica (I am sure if I am allowed to post links to replica forums, so I didn't, but you know where to find Google). Stay away at any cost!!!

I also checked it with mine, and the movement is indeed off, and when looking at the pics it seems they used a 15300 bracelet on the 15400 case because the bracelet doesn't align with the case.

Pretty freaky how good these replicas are becoming. I really hope the governments of the countries these watches are being produced in start to take hard action.

[Watchcentric]

I'm relatively new to this forum and to this world of luxury watches, and I must say I'm really shocked that this is a fake watch!!

Thanks for pointing out that the rotor is clearly wrong (I see it now) but to the untrained eye this looks as real as it can get.
It's really amazing that someone can fabricate a watch like this. Think about all the effort that must have gone into this!!

I always thought that the special form of the bezel with its rounded edges, the polishing of the bracelet etc simply can't be copied. AP needs special tools and trained staff etc.
Now it turns out that this is not true and that it's relatively easy to copy an AP!??

What about copying the Original Jumbo's? They don't have saphire backs so they must be much easier to copy.
How many fake jumbo's are out there? How certain are you that the AP you're wearing is real?!

Originally Posted by Watchcentric

Hi,

I would like to buy this blue 15400ST but the seller is in another country and I can only see some pictures (see below).

Can you please give your opinion on it. Want to be sure I'm buying a genuine 15400ST. It is a used watch by the way (not a BNIB).

Thanks in advance!

[tavv160]

Originally Posted by Watchcentric

I'm relatively new to this forum and to this world of luxury watches, and I must say I'm really shocked that this is a fake watch!!

Thanks for pointing out that the rotor is clearly wrong (I see it now) but to the untrained eye this looks as real as it can get.
It's really amazing that someone can fabricate a watch like this. Think about all the effort that must have gone into this!!

I always thought that the special form of the bezel with its rounded edges, the polishing of the bracelet etc simply can't be copied. AP needs special tools and trained staff etc.
Now it turns out that this is not true and that it's relatively easy to copy an AP!??

What about copying the Original Jumbo's? They don't have saphire backs so they must be much easier to copy.
How many fake jumbo's are out there? How certain are you that the AP you're wearing is real?!

I have got to say I am (unfortunately) really surprised about how well these replicas are. If no picture of the movement was included I was inclined to say it was genuine. This is becoming really dangerous. Therefore, only buy from reputable sellers! You're located in The Netherlands? There are many good grey dealers there. Just check Chrono24. May I ask how you got in contact with this seller? Hopefully not via this forum?

[kilyung]

We don't discuss fakes. However share who the seller is so no one else gets scammed.

[Watchcentric]

Exactly my point. How is it possible that someone can replicate this watch so accurately? The bezel for instance looks perfect!

I didn't get in contact with the seller via this forum. Will also not share name or email address publicly. This must be some kind of organised crime activity. Someone must have invested quite heavily in tools etc. Don't want to get involved in this.

I hope someone from AP is monitoring this forum. Just like another forum member they can then easily track the likely source of these fake watches and take legal action I hope!

Originally Posted by tavv160

I have got to say I am (unfortunately) really surprised about how well these replicas are. If no picture of the movement was included I was inclined to say it was genuine. This is becoming really dangerous. Therefore, only buy from reputable sellers! You're located in The Netherlands? There are many good grey dealers there. Just check Chrono24. May I ask how you got in contact with this seller? Hopefully not via this forum?

[bzabodyn]

The easiest way to educate yourself is to spend some time on the "replica" watch forums. For instance, there are already like 5 versions/revisions of the fake Diver and it's a pretty damn good fake.

To me, the first thing I saw was the color of the rotor is significantly off. As cliche as is it, when you're sending this much money if you can't buy it from an AD then buy from one of the trusted sellers on here.

BZ

[laphroaig007]

Fake watch, this is not an AP caliber, but a 2824 eta replica...

[Manofsteelpt]

Wow... Damn good replica

[powerfunk]

OK This in depth discussion of fakes has gotta stop. Please share the seller's name and email, yes publicly. Keeping it to yourself would be immoral. This forum helped you steer clear of this fake. Pass the favor on.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[Hanz079]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

OK This in depth discussion of fakes has gotta stop. Please share the seller's name and email, yes publicly. Keeping it to yourself would be immoral. This forum helped you steer clear of this fake. Pass the favor on.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

Agree...

[Watchcentric]

Again, this must be organized crime. Don't think they would be so stupid to use real names and mail addresses. Would require someone to actually buy this watch and then trace where the money goes. That's police work.

I already contacted AP head office in Le Brassus and received a reply. Hope they follow up with the police but on the other hand this probably leads to a country where copyright means nothing...

Don't worry to be the victim of this criminal organisation, just follow the advice to buy only from AD or from trusted grey market sellers on this and other forums. I will certainly follow this advice and I'm glad I followed it when buying my first AP!

Originally Posted by powerfunk

OK This in depth discussion of fakes has gotta stop. Please share the seller's name and email, yes publicly. Keeping it to yourself would be immoral. This forum helped you steer clear of this fake. Pass the favor on.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[Submarino]

Those big gold gears are the telltale on that fake movement! Trash!!!!

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Watchcentric

Again, this must be organized crime.

No need to "again" me. I understood you the first time and I think it's a bizarre, lame excuse.

[cdnyc]

Originally Posted by Watchcentric

Again, this must be organized crime. Don't think they would be so stupid to use real names and mail addresses. Would require someone to actually buy this watch and then trace where the money goes. That's police work.

I already contacted AP head office in Le Brassus and received a reply. Hope they follow up with the police but on the other hand this probably leads to a country where copyright means nothing...

Don't worry to be the victim of this criminal organisation, just follow the advice to buy only from AD or from trusted grey market sellers on this and other forums. I will certainly follow this advice and I'm glad I followed it when buying my first AP!

How do you know there isn't someone about to pull the trigger and buy from this seller today or tomorrow? If you post the name and email, hopefully a potential buyer would google that information and see this thread in time.

And you really think you're in danger from "organized crime" overseas if you post the "fake" name and email of someone who tried to scam you? Benefit to community > risk to self, even forgetting about the disaster this forum averted for you.

[tavv160]

Originally Posted by cdnyc81

How do you know there isn't someone about to pull the trigger and buy from this seller today or tomorrow? If you post the name and email, hopefully a potential buyer would google that information and see this thread in time.

And you really think you're in danger from "organized crime" overseas if you post the "fake" name and email of someone who tried to scam you? Benefit to community > risk to self, even forgetting about the disaster this forum averted for you.

x2

[powerfunk]

Well said. Not to mention how shady it looks when you post pics of a fake and refuse to disclose the source. I'll go ahead and say it flat out: I don't trust the OP.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[Watchcentric]

Hmmm, I don't like the tone of some of the replies. Don't know why that's needed.

As I said I'm new to this world of luxury watches which apparently also attracts criminals. Which is not so surprising come to think of it.

Anyway, you convinced me. Everybody watch out for:

Name : Marc H (I don't have a surname)
Mail : mportmail (AT) gxmail (DOT) de

Happy hunting...? And certainly don't buy a watch from this man!

PS: it's overseas for (most of) you. It's in a neighbouring country for me. I live in The Netherlands, the seller lives in Germany.

[powerfunk]

You're right, I was overly harsh. Counterfeits make my blood boil and I can lose perspective, I apologize. Thanks for posting, hope you find the real watch you want.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[Watchcentric]

No worries. I'm also shocked by this and don't know well what to do.
Still don't believe it...

Originally Posted by powerfunk

You're right, I was overly harsh. Counterfeits make my blood boil and I can lose perspective, I apologize. Thanks for posting, hope you find the real watch you want.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[SMD]

Originally Posted by Watchcentric

As I said I'm new to this world of luxury watches which apparently also attracts criminals. Which is not so surprising come to think of it.

You have a 15300 and yet you did not think to flip the watch over and compare the movements?

[Submarino]

Ibtl

[Watchcentric]

They look very, very similar to me... Even the engraving on the rotor. It's (unfortunately) amazing how they did that.
Could have fooled 99% of the population and almost me. The small differences made me post my message.

Have the feeling I'm on trial here... Don't know why.

If you expect that everybody on this forum is a real expert in AP watches, than you're wrong. In that case this forum also wouldn't be needed I guess...

Originally Posted by SMD

You have a 15300 and yet you did not think to flip the watch over and compare the movements?