Slow Date Change on AP 15300 (Serviced 2020)

[Royale With Cheese]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a secondhand AP 15300 from a local (trusted) dealer. This was not a boutique nor AD.

The watch included all original paperwork, manual, warranties and box. Everything in excellent condition.

The original sale was dated 2010. The seller was very clear that the original owner had basically left it boxed for a number of years and that when it was brought to him the movement had dried up and therefore it was serviced just the month prior, but not by AP rather a local watchmaker.

Besides a bit of visible re-brushing work, everything else looked excellent. Movement function seemed perfect.

After a week on the wrist, the calibre 3120 is running perfectly accurate, and no issues with power reserve either. However I have noticed that for some very strange reason, the date change is not instant as is should be on this movement.

The DW will begin cycling around 10:30pm, by 11~11:30 it will be perfectly in-between the two transitioning dates. Then roughly about 12:00 (on the dot), it will be completely transitioned over onto the correct date.

From everything I understand about the cal.3120, this movement should be an instant date change. I have seen few videos where the date flips over roughly right around midnight - there is no gradual shift between the dates.

While functionally there is no "issue" as such... However still I have some concerns about this now. I'm not sure if there is something wrong with the movement, or whether something has been damaged during its service work, or if a part is possibly missing..?

Quick pic of the date transitioning last night: https://i.imgur.com/IzAeELj.jpg

The instant date flip was a feature that was prominently advertised by AP on introduction of this calibre, so it concerns me that it's not performing as it should.

Has anyone with a 3120 experienced this with their datewheel?

I have read other forum where owners have experienced date wheels getting "stuck" in-between dates, but as far as I understand - this is a bit of a separate issue as the movement is still flipping the date instantly prior to getting stuck.

I would just like to understand if this might be normal for the 3120 after a decade, or if there is something that needs my immediate attention.

Planning to take it to my local AP boutique when I can find some available time. In the meanwhile hoping to hear some thoughts from the experienced members here!

Thanks in advance for any input.

[V1nc3nt]

What color and which serial? How much did you get it? I intend to get one, and it also was serviced by local watchmaker so i should consider it too.

[Royale With Cheese]

Originally Posted by V1nc3nt

What color and which serial? How much did you get it? I intend to get one, and it also was serviced by local watchmaker so i should consider it too.

White dial, G-serial (IIRC) - but I will need to reconfirm again later as I am not wearing it today..

Purchased at around $24,500 tentatively based on local conversion.

To update on the issue above - I have managed to track down the watchmaker through the dealer and brought the issue to his attention. He has basically explained that there is a spring which operates the "instant" date change and it may need adjusting. As far as I understand the issue is not serious nor detrimental to the movement. It's just a minor nuisance.

He has offered to adjust the movement free of charge, but I am a bit apprehensive about letting him open up the watch again as its not a major problem.

Alternatively, I could live with the slow rolling date changeover for the next 5 or so years, before sending the watch directly to AP for its next service..

Would be interested to hear some thoughts on whether I should fix it or just leave it ..

[V1nc3nt]

Yah, seem not a big deal as long as the movement still work flawlessly. Do you think 28k for blue one and was serviced by local watchmaker is too much? Tomorrow i’m gonna visit my dealer and see it.

[Royale With Cheese]

I’m no expert, but for a blue dial (presuming full set) that seems like a good price.


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[V1nc3nt]

Originally Posted by Royale With Cheese

I’m no expert, but for a blue dial (presuming full set) that seems like a good price.


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I got it, not fullset no booklet, i bargained 27500, look great, no problem with date changing

[ap1]

Ask for money off and then get it properly serviced by AP

[V1nc3nt]

Have many posts about it in forum, you can search for it, try to adjust date in correct way first then see how it’s going later.

[modernpiece]

Offer is pretty expensive but if you can afford it you sure have value for your money

[Token74]

I bought an unworn 15300 last year from a trusted seller, and that had also just been serviced by his guy rather than AP. First thing i did when i bought it was send it to AP for a service despite the fact it had just been serviced by the other chap. I think it’s important to start off in the right way with these things.


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[ROA]

Originally Posted by Token74

I bought an unworn 15300 last year from a trusted seller, and that had also just been serviced by his guy rather than AP. First thing i did when i bought it was send it to AP for a service despite the fact it had just been serviced by the other chap. I think it’s important to start off in the right way with these things.


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I agree with this and would do the same...