Bokey TimeHello everyone, I am Bokey. In this issue, I will share with you a comparison and interpretation of the latest upgraded V3 ultimate version of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Series 15500ST.OO.1220ST.03 black dial with the V2 old version. Many watch enthusiasts do not know where the upgrade points of the V3 version 15500 are. Now, I will explain the upgrade points of the V3 version 15500 through graphic comparison.
As can be seen from the picture, the APS factory’s v3 ultimate version 15500 has been improved on the dial. In particular, the radial pattern effect is more obvious than the V2 version. There is also a reflective brightness, that is, it is a little more shiny than the previous version and synchronizes with the original effect.
The square on the dial should now be made more three-dimensional than the V2 version. Including its texture details have also been improved. Before, many watch enthusiasts complained. They had to replace the substitute dial, spending nearly two thousand yuan more. Now, after the improvement and upgrade of the APS factory, people no longer need to spend extra money to replace the substitute dial.
In addition to the upgraded square details of the dial, the orbital pattern on the outer ring has also been upgraded. In the previous V2 version, a matte effect was created. Now, in the APS factory V3 version, it has been corrected to make the same orbital pattern as the genuine product. PS: The V2 version has been discontinued. Therefore, there is no picture for this detail of V2. The pictures of the V2 version used in this article are all taken by Bokey before.
Time scale, pointer, calendar, font printing, AP logo below 12 o’clock. These details are all done relatively well in the V3 ultimate version. Still perfect under macro.
The case has been upgraded in some aspects. The polishing is more meticulous than the previous version. Especially the AP engraving on the crown. Previously, it was relatively shallow, and now it has been made deeper.
The size data is the same as the original. The V2 version before is also this size. The dial diameter is 41 millimeters, the thickness is 10.4mm, and the weight is 168 grams.
The strap of the APS factory V3 version 15500 black dial is made of 316L fine steel. The whole is mainly brushed and polished. The effect and texture are relatively in place. The connection points of the watch links are all mirror-polished, and the side corners are all rounded and polished. There will be no cutting feeling when touched.
Back-through design. There is engraved brand information on the back cover. The font is also relatively deep. The mirror is made of sapphire glass. In terms of the movement, it is still equipped with the 4302 integrated movement. The synchronous original structure design is adopted. It also has an instant-jump calendar like the genuine product and has the same 70-hour power reserve. In general, the restoration degree of the movement is remarkable. Except that the polishing is slightly worse than that of the original, there are no problems in other aspects. In terms of timekeeping, it is accurate and durable, and the repair rate is extremely low.
How can we distinguish the APS factory’s 4302 all-in-one movement?
Many watch enthusiasts say they don’t know how to tell if it is an APS factory 15500 integrated machine. In fact, it is very simple. If it is an integrated machine, we can see that the gear structures are all in real meshing. If it is a deck machine, its gears are patch. Here are a few detailed pictures of the 4302 integrated movement to show everyone the structural details of the movement.
In the red circle part, when winding manually, you can see it meshing and running. Fake deck movements do not have these gears and you cannot see it operating
The luminous effect has also been upgraded a little bit. The brightness is much higher than before.
In summary, after the upgrade to the ultimate V3 version of the APS factory’s Audemars Piguet 15500, the improvement in the dial details is a qualitative leap. There’s no need to spend an extra couple thousand on aftermarket dials anymore. Moreover, with this upgrade, you don’t have to worry about APS factory releasing further updates to exploit consumers, as this V3 version is already the pinnacle. The upgrade has been applied across the entire 15500 series.
One more thing to note: some sellers might claim this is a V4 or V5 version as a marketing tactic. Remember, once the factory releases an upgrade, the older versions are discontinued immediately and will no longer be produced. Therefore, only the latest version exists. Of course, you can also purchase directly from Bokey, as we only source the newest factory versions and would never deceive watch enthusiasts with outdated stock!
