Some AP15400 questions

[benlee]

Don't mind my asking, but I will like to ask existing owners of 15300 and 15400 Royal Oak owners some questions.

1) How's your 15300 / 15400 holding up? Any accuracy or reliability issues so far?

2) Does the polishing fade over time or stays brand new?

3) Do you use it as a daily wearer? Is it tough enough for daily wear? While it is undeniably beautiful to me, it also looks kind of delicate.

4) Is it true that the Blue Dial version is more prestigious because it is more rare?

5) With the polished surface reflecting light, do you find it too blinky to wear on occasions that a "blinky" watch might not be suitable, such as formal business meeting, visiting clients etc?

6) What will be expected service cost I will be expected to pay be like once it is due for full service? And how's AP's after sales service?

7) Does AP warrant availability of parts further down the road like 20 years, 30 years etc?

8) If given the chance to repeat the purchase again, will you do it? Or you will choose another brand / another piece?

I can't get this watch out of my mind I have been haggling with my ADs over the price and discount back and forth in the past few days and they are being very stubborn with it. It seems the AP15400 might actually be in good demand currently.

Thanks in advance and any help appreciated.

[TSW]

1) I have the ROC and haven't had any issues with it, And that goes for all My AP's
2) All depends on how you wear it and when.
3) I wear all My AP's as daily drivers however when building or playing with the kid home i take it of.
4) No they produce the different dials equally numbered.
5) No
6) 600-800$
7) yes parts Will be available for many years to come.
8) At this time i only buy AP's over and over again, never get tired of hem.

[lovej]

My new 15400 is actually pretty fast. At least 12+ seconds a day.

It will get marks very easily

It certainly shines and will garner attention IMO

[Hanz079]

Hi Ben,

1. My 15400 have been accurate to COSC specs so far. Play around with the resting positions overnight and I can achieve spot on accuracy.

2. It stays shiny with a good wipe. But hairlines and scratches catch on pretty fast. I wear mine daily and it doesn't deter me from enjoying the watch. Part of the ownership experience I would say.

3. Yes I wear mine daily, it's not as delicate as you think. Movement wise, they're pretty robust. As for the case and bracelet, I would avoid wearing it when doing heavy work.

4. It is known that AP produces them in equal numbers but the dial colours are a personal choice. Blue is popular everywhere. White more in the US and Europe and Black more in Asia... or that's what my AD led me to believe.

5. It's not that blingy... the surfaces actually look elegant. Suitable for any occasion. More often or not, most won't notice what watch you're wearing unless they're also WIS.

6. Mine is the first AP I have owned and have yet to send for servicing. Rule of thumb is to expect to pay 8-10% of the price of the watch.

7. I would assume AP would continue to support their watches 20-30 years down the road. Seeing how my friend got his 30+ years old TT Jumbo serviced back to pristine condition by AP.

8. If I have the funds, not only will I repeat the purchase, I might buy a few pieces at one go as I like quite a number or their models. Too bad my wallet disagrees... 15400 is the only one I can afford at this moment.

Here's a pic just for kicks.



6.75 inch wrist.
Cheers.

[jontay02]

^ pictures do not do justice on the black dial 15400. in fact, pictures do no justice on AP models. cant wait to see 15400 black dial irl

[kilyung]

1) How's your 15300 / 15400 holding up? Any accuracy or reliability issues so far? Mine's held up fine for the last two years and is as accurate as my other watches.

2) Does the polishing fade over time or stays brand new? Depends on owner but mine is as 'bright' as when new. Here it is after two years of reasonably frequent wear.


3) Do you use it as a daily wearer? Is it tough enough for daily wear? With my collection, few watches are really daily wear but the 15300 gets in the rotation regularly.

4) Is it true that the Blue Dial version is more prestigious because it is more rare? I'm not sure prestigious is the right word but the blue does evoke the feel of the classic 15202.


5) With the polished surface reflecting light, do you find it too blinky to wear on occasions that a "blinky" watch might not be suitable, such as formal business meeting, visiting clients etc? I got in trouble in church for distracting the priest but it's no less "blinky” than any other watch.


6) What will be expected service cost I will be expected to pay be like once it is due for full service? And how's AP's after sales service? I've had great service from APSC every time I've used them. I expect to pay more than Rolex for regular service.

7) Does AP warrant availability of parts further down the road like 20 years, 30 years etc? Yes, they'll service any piece regardless of age but it may end up having to fly back to the mother ship and may cost handsomely. Similar to any other brand actually.

8) If given the chance to repeat the purchase again, will you do it? Or you will choose another brand / another piece? I'd have gone straight to the AP 15202.

[WAK4]

1) Had a 15300 for almost a year, and now have a 15400 (4-5 months?) - no issues

2) The 15300 still looked close to NIB when I sold it. Didn't wear it every day but it was in regular rotation. The 15400 still looks great; recently added a 1.5 link to it and that link does not look out of place at all (being new link on a "used" watch)

3) I typically wear it to the office, and from time to time on weekends if I go out at night. Yard work and more beating around, it stays on the winder. It WILL scratch...how much depends how you treat it and how much it bothers you.

4) I think I had read at some point that the blue could become Boutique only, but no idea if its actually happening.

5) No...and I am not one for "bling." Its probably in my upper range of shiny but I wouldn't think twice about it as being "not suitable." BUT...thats me and I'm casual in general. You'd have to know your environment.

6) If you have to ask, you can't afford it ...actually I am not sure but I don't think its generally "all inclusive" like Rolex. Refinishing is a separate cost I believe. Haven't had to deal with after service but usually hear good things with some bad from time to time (scratching, mis-aligned screws, etc)

7) History says they will

8) Yup, I'd do it again. I've rotated through a number of them but would definitely do it again. I've now landed on two (15400 and 44mm FC) that are ideal for me and my eye doesn't wander as I've tried the others out. Would I have more? Yeah, but budget constraints don't allow.

[WAK4]

Originally Posted by jontay02

^ pictures do not do justice on the black dial 15400. in fact, pictures do no justice on AP models. cant wait to see 15400 black dial irl

Agreed . I really experienced that with the Diver in particular. Great looking watch but always had trouble with pics.

[thomaspp]

Ben - seeing as how the true experts have chimed in (Thomas/Mike and others) all that's left for me to add is that after about 4-5 weeks of ownership I am still drooling over this piece (the 15400). The 41mm size is great, I wear it as a daily wearer (although I have probably not worn it for more than 3 days in a row as I like to give my other pieces some wrist time), and I think it will hold up well (it's not a Submariner however - will not take the same beating a sub will, but then again I can't think of any other "nice" watch that would). I don't think it's too "blingy" and I wear it to work/meetings with clients (in a relativley conservative environment).



Lastly, I love the white and black dials and didn't consider the blue seeing as I had my eye on another blue dial (in my humble opinion there are more interesting blue dials out there) at the time I purchased my 15400. GOOD LUCK!

[Submarino]

1) How's your 15300 / 15400 holding up? Any accuracy or reliability issues so far?

My 15300 is one of the most accurate watches I've ever owned. +-3 secs per day.

2) Does the polishing fade over time or stays brand new?

I wear mine almost as a daily beater and still looks great.




3) Do you use it as a daily wearer? Is it tough enough for daily wear? While it is undeniably beautiful to me, it also looks kind of delicate.

Very tough and definitely a daily wearer. Now, I don't do home improving with it but I shower with it, swim, etc.

4) Is it true that the Blue Dial version is more prestigious because it is more rare?

Never had heard that. I like the blue because it changes a lot with the light.

5) With the polished surface reflecting light, do you find it too blinky to wear on occasions that a "blinky" watch might not be suitable, such as formal business meeting, visiting clients etc?

Never. Few people know that an AP is and it flies under the radar among non-WIS.

6) What will be expected service cost I will be expected to pay be like once it is due for full service? And how's AP's after sales service?

Great! $1,200 - $1,500 depending on the condition of the watch. More for vintage pieces.

7) Does AP warrant availability of parts further down the road like 20 years, 30 years etc?
Yes. My 5402SA is almost 37 years old and it just came back from service in August of 2012.

8) If given the chance to repeat the purchase again, will you do it? Or you will choose another brand / another piece?

My favorite brand. I currently own four APs and have owned another five since 1998.

I can't get this watch out of my mind I have been haggling with my ADs over the price and discount back and forth in the past few days and they are being very stubborn with it. It seems the AP15400 might actually be in good demand currently.

Thanks in advance and any help appreciated.

[jontay02]

Originally Posted by WAK4

Agreed . I really experienced that with the Diver in particular. Great looking watch but always had trouble with pics.

haha, really? I find the diver SS to be the least desirable model on the AP list.
Prolly cause it doesnt look great in photos. I will have to see it in real life in the near future.

[WAK4]

Originally Posted by jontay02

haha, really? I find the diver SS to be the least desirable model on the AP list.
Prolly cause it doesnt look great in photos. I will have to see it in real life in the near future.

I liked the look a lot (though I did end up selling it...) and part of why I liked it was that its not "cluttered" compared to most ROOs with the arabic #s as well as chrono sub dials in them.

Diver is definitely one to check out in person if you get the chance.

[mfnj]

Have the 15400 with white dial for about 3 months and it is worn regularly in a rotation. I don't find it blingy or shiny and it is certainly up to the task of daily wear. The brushed surfaces tone it down a bit compared to other watches with shiny surfaces which tend to show swirls. The interesting thing is the way the light still reflects of the brushed links on the bracelet! Accuracy is consistent with my other watches. I tend to wear my watches without babying them so there will be the inevitable scratch or two. As for servicing and service costs, I would expect nothing different when compared to other high end watches. For me I would say

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by jontay02

haha, really? I find the diver SS to be the least desirable model on the AP list.
Prolly cause it doesnt look great in photos. I will have to see it in real life in the near future.

Actually more desirable than you could imagine and it's an amazing all around AP.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[benlee]

Thanks guys for your all inputs. Clear all my doubts. Appreciated!

And amazing photos too!

[Lamkyle]

i have been wearing my 15400 everyday since i bought it last week. loving it everyday.
I believe there are light scratches on the links but i think that is inevitable, part of the owner experience.
it is actually my first AP too, so i think 15400 is a good choice for AP entry.
go for it, you wont regret! you will adore the refinement and quality more than any rolex.
at least for what i have owned.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by benlee

Thanks guys for your all inputs. Clear all my doubts. Appreciated!

And amazing photos too!

Congrats in advance

[benlee]

Originally Posted by TSW

Congrats in advance

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by jontay02

haha, really? I find the diver SS to be the least desirable model on the AP list.
Prolly cause it doesnt look great in photos. I will have to see it in real life in the near future.

Photos of the Diver are all

In real life it looks incredible. I also think it is one of the few Offshore models with a truly 'timeless' design.