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fai9al · 14 January 2016, 11:02 PM

Dears I love AP to death, it's one of my favorite brands and I have owned a total of 4 APs in the last 3 years with only one remain, the 15400 in silver which I bought brand new from an AD last August.

I had 15300s and a Diver before and I loved everything about them. My most favorite feature of any AP is the superb finishing done especially on the legendary bezel. However, I noticed that finishing on bezel can sometimes vary in terms of how "hard" it's vertically beveled, if that makes sense.

Meaning, I have handled many I-series 15400s just like mine and some had very "obvious" vertical finishing on the bezel while others seemed not so much beveled.

I think mine is a bit of the soft side vs the other one (image by watchcollectinglifestyle)

I am just wondering if anybody else noticed this? And if it's a QC issue...?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

GB-man · 15 January 2016, 01:23 AM

Hmm I've seen this in the ceramics but haven't noticed in the steel models. Chalk it up to hand finished goods?

masterserg · 15 January 2016, 02:20 AM

I have seen some variation on bezels and cases indeed.

jrs146 · 15 January 2016, 03:07 AM

Interesting. Mine appears to be not quite as soft as you can see the vertical lines.

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Muzz · 15 January 2016, 07:45 AM

I have seen used APs with a crispness loss due to polishing but not as much on new. Most of my APs have all been quite sharp.

FlyinM3 · 15 January 2016, 08:33 AM

I know what you mean, and I have seen variations as well.

benlee · 15 January 2016, 09:30 AM

I noticed that too after owning a few APs. Personally, I loved the prominent brushed lines finishing, especially on ceramic.

Speed · 15 January 2016, 09:43 AM

I can definitely see the vertical grain on my 15300 if that's what you mean.

I recently sent it to Clearwater to address a quick set issue. Asking them to touch up the bezel and other spots.

Looking forward to getting it back - crispy! Hope I can keep it that way...for a while.

subtona · 15 January 2016, 09:47 AM

Hand finishing will find variation. Much like the pantograph cut dials, each are slightly different.

AK797 · 15 January 2016, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subtona

Hand finishing will find variation. Much like the pantograph cut dials, each are slightly different.

Yup also see this on PPs, brush depth is not uniform.

Speed · 15 January 2016, 10:30 AM

That's as it should be right?

It's a human hand running a piece of metal / ceramic etc (granted held in place via some tool) across fine grit sandpaper.

Lordofrolex · 15 January 2016, 10:48 AM

Yes, you'll see the vertical grain on the bezel

SMD · 15 January 2016, 11:10 AM

Lighting also plays a big part. The angle and type of lighting will affect how prominent the brushing looks. At least it does on mine.

VICI · 15 January 2016, 11:45 AM

Here's my 15400's finishing (I series)

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Speed · 15 January 2016, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VICI

Here's my 15400's finishing (I series)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tasty!!!

kilyung · 15 January 2016, 01:39 PM

Maybe it was finished with an older belt? I don't know how often they replace the finishing belts but I imagine a new belt produces a 'sharper' finish.

benlee · 15 January 2016, 02:19 PM

love these lines....

Hairdude1 · 15 January 2016, 02:49 PM

Love the finish on the bezels!

Abdullasaif · 16 January 2016, 12:31 AM

Really weird my 44mm FC bezel is actually worse than your bezel, but currently i dont have a complete answer for why it looks soft

jrs146 · 16 January 2016, 12:59 AM

Did you buy BNIB? Was there any way it could have been polished?

fai9al · 16 January 2016, 05:24 AM

Thanks guys for all the responses.

Yes, I bought it BNIB from an AD.

I used to be picky when buying Rolex looking at the date magnification and all that, now need to pay attention to bezels when buying APs :-))

masterserg · 16 January 2016, 07:48 AM

Dreaded words: "it is within spec" ...

improviz · 16 January 2016, 12:27 PM

One thing to note is that in photos, the grain of the bezel appears far more pronounced if the angle of the incident light is perpendicular to the grain. So if the light source is to the right or left (crown) side of the bezel, the grain is much sharper in the photos. Here are two examples, the first where the light was more parallel to the grain and the second where it was perfectly perpendicular to it:

jrs146 · 18 January 2016, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by improviz

One thing to note is that in photos, the grain of the bezel appears far more pronounced if the angle of the incident light is perpendicular to the grain. So if the light source is to the right or left (crown) side of the bezel, the grain is much sharper in the photos. Here are two examples, the first where the light was more parallel to the grain and the second where it was perfectly perpendicular to it:

Interesting. The angle of the light does seem to make a difference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

gbany · 18 January 2016, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fai9al

Dears I love AP to death, it's one of my favorite brands and I have owned a total of 4 APs in the last 3 years with only one remain, the 15400 in silver which I bought brand new from an AD last August.

I had 15300s and a Diver before and I loved everything about them. My most favorite feature of any AP is the superb finishing done especially on the legendary bezel. However, I noticed that finishing on bezel can sometimes vary in terms of how "hard" it's vertically beveled, if that makes sense.

Meaning, I have handled many I-series 15400s just like mine and some had very "obvious" vertical finishing on the bezel while others seemed not so much beveled.

I think mine is a bit of the soft side vs the other one (image by watchcollectinglifestyle)

I am just wondering if anybody else noticed this? And if it's a QC issue...?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

True. My experience with a ROC, I brought it in for service and since there was a big dent at 8 on the bezel, the AP tech suggested to polish just the bezel to minimize the dent. The end result is that the dent is less pronounced (still there though), but the vertical grain is much softer.

If I knew this beforehand, I would not have done it.

PVR · 18 January 2016, 06:00 AM

Nothing wrong with the finish on that bezel, it looks fine to me.

Lemarp · 21 January 2016, 08:14 AM

There's a huge amount of variation depending on the light/angle/over/under exposure which makes the difference in online photos appear much more than there is in real life. That said, there is a difference.

14 January 2016, 11:02 PM	#1
fai9al "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Jeddah, KSA Posts: 413	Royal Oak bezel observation... Dears I love AP to death, it's one of my favorite brands and I have owned a total of 4 APs in the last 3 years with only one remain, the 15400 in silver which I bought brand new from an AD last August. I had 15300s and a Diver before and I loved everything about them. My most favorite feature of any AP is the superb finishing done especially on the legendary bezel. However, I noticed that finishing on bezel can sometimes vary in terms of how "hard" it's vertically beveled, if that makes sense. Meaning, I have handled many I-series 15400s just like mine and some had very "obvious" vertical finishing on the bezel while others seemed not so much beveled. I think mine is a bit of the soft side vs the other one (image by watchcollectinglifestyle) I am just wondering if anybody else noticed this? And if it's a QC issue...? Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Attached Images

15 January 2016, 02:20 AM	#3
masterserg "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Serg Location: US of A Watch: AP Posts: 7,437	I have seen some variation on bezels and cases indeed. __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????

15 January 2016, 03:07 AM	#4
jrs146 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Josh Location: Lost in time Watch: Me Nae Nae Posts: 9,823	Interesting. Mine appears to be not quite as soft as you can see the vertical lines. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own." -Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter

15 January 2016, 09:47 AM	#9
subtona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: gus Location: East Coast Watch: APK & sometimes Y Posts: 26,596	Hand finishing will find variation. Much like the pantograph cut dials, each are slightly different. __________________

15 January 2016, 10:48 AM	#12
Lordofrolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Brandon Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: Yes Please! Posts: 6,691	Yes, you'll see the vertical grain on the bezel __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN Panerai PAM 359 Audemars Piguet RO 15300OR Follow me on Instagram: @b_jakobovich

15 January 2016, 01:23 AM	#2
GB-man 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: USA Watch: addiction issues Posts: 37,355	Hmm I've seen this in the ceramics but haven't noticed in the steel models. Chalk it up to hand finished goods?

15 January 2016, 07:45 AM	#5
Muzz "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Real Name: Steve Location: TO CAD, HCMC VN Watch: MP 18946 Posts: 7,292	I have seen used APs with a crispness loss due to polishing but not as much on new. Most of my APs have all been quite sharp.

15 January 2016, 08:33 AM	#6
FlyinM3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Real Name: Dan Location: NYC Posts: 807	I know what you mean, and I have seen variations as well.

15 January 2016, 09:30 AM	#7
benlee "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Ben Location: SIN & JKT Watch: Rolex, AP, PP Posts: 9,874	I noticed that too after owning a few APs. Personally, I loved the prominent brushed lines finishing, especially on ceramic.

15 January 2016, 09:43 AM	#8
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	I can definitely see the vertical grain on my 15300 if that's what you mean. I recently sent it to Clearwater to address a quick set issue. Asking them to touch up the bezel and other spots. Looking forward to getting it back - crispy! Hope I can keep it that way...for a while.

15 January 2016, 10:30 AM	#11
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	That's as it should be right? It's a human hand running a piece of metal / ceramic etc (granted held in place via some tool) across fine grit sandpaper.

15 January 2016, 11:10 AM	#13
SMD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Real Name: SMD Location: LGA/EWR/ORD Watch: AP/PP Posts: 3,701	Lighting also plays a big part. The angle and type of lighting will affect how prominent the brushing looks. At least it does on mine.

15 January 2016, 11:45 AM	#14
VICI "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Gotham City Watch: IG: Mr_Right_NYC Posts: 5,672	Royal Oak bezel observation... Here's my 15400's finishing (I series) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

15 January 2016, 01:39 PM	#16
kilyung 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,940	Maybe it was finished with an older belt? I don't know how often they replace the finishing belts but I imagine a new belt produces a 'sharper' finish.

15 January 2016, 02:19 PM	#17
benlee "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Ben Location: SIN & JKT Watch: Rolex, AP, PP Posts: 9,874	love these lines....

15 January 2016, 02:49 PM	#18
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Love the finish on the bezels! Attached Images __________________ Instagram: @Hairdude Watches in Collection 5070R, 5522A, 214270 MK1, 228238 16750, 26401, 5711, 116718, 116710LN, 116300, 16710"Coke", 372, 15300, 15703 (All Flipped) Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas Int'l GTG 2018

16 January 2016, 12:31 AM	#19
Abdullasaif "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Dubai Watch: bipolar Posts: 2,854	Really weird my 44mm FC bezel is actually worse than your bezel, but currently i dont have a complete answer for why it looks soft

16 January 2016, 12:59 AM	#20
jrs146 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Josh Location: Lost in time Watch: Me Nae Nae Posts: 9,823	Did you buy BNIB? Was there any way it could have been polished? __________________ "Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own." -Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter

16 January 2016, 05:24 AM	#21
fai9al "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Jeddah, KSA Posts: 413	Thanks guys for all the responses. Yes, I bought it BNIB from an AD. I used to be picky when buying Rolex looking at the date magnification and all that, now need to pay attention to bezels when buying APs :-))

16 January 2016, 07:48 AM	#22
masterserg "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Serg Location: US of A Watch: AP Posts: 7,437	Dreaded words: "it is within spec" ... __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????

16 January 2016, 12:27 PM	#23
improviz "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tejas Watch: your step Posts: 2,806	One thing to note is that in photos, the grain of the bezel appears far more pronounced if the angle of the incident light is perpendicular to the grain. So if the light source is to the right or left (crown) side of the bezel, the grain is much sharper in the photos. Here are two examples, the first where the light was more parallel to the grain and the second where it was perfectly perpendicular to it: __________________ 116520 white; 16613 black; 116710; 16570 polar; 16600. AP 15400; 15703. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Glashutte Sport Evo GMT. Omega Planet Ocean 2907.50.91; Planet Ocean Liquidmetal LE 222.30.42.20.01.001; Seamaster 2255.80.00. Breitling Crosswind, white. Panerai PAM 005. VC Overseas Chrono, black.

18 January 2016, 06:00 AM	#26
PVR "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Darien, CT Posts: 333	Nothing wrong with the finish on that bezel, it looks fine to me.

21 January 2016, 08:14 AM	#27
Lemarp "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 168	There's a huge amount of variation depending on the light/angle/over/under exposure which makes the difference in online photos appear much more than there is in real life. That said, there is a difference.

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