15400 vs 15500?

[lovewatches1987]

Hello all

I have 15400 for few years and feel nothing but love. 15500 has bigger open case back, love this feature. It's a bit thicker, not sure yet if I like this fact or no. 15500's movement has 32 jewels comparing to 40 jewels in my 15400. And a 70 hour power reserve comparing to 60 hours at 15400. Would you replace 15400 with 15500 if offered at retail? Thank you

[Famz_01]

had both, the 15500 is hands down a much nicer watch

[10XRolex]

I had the 15400 but it just didn't wear well on my wrist. I now have the 15500 and it feels perfect. Who knows.

[7sins]

I've owned both and MUCH prefer the 15400. The 15500 dial looks too empty and optically makes the watch look larger along with the bezel looking thinner.

[AperolSpritz]

It's a pretty even match tbh...

I have both. At first I thought the 15400 was better as I didn't like the new 15500 date font and the dial looked empty in the lower part. Though I preferred the 15500 indexes and of course its "ass" is sooooo much prettier with that new movement (but thicker).

With nearly a year owning both, I must say the "empty" dial doesn't bother me at all. Actually I probably prefer the 15500 dial now as its "pure". It looks empty only on zoomed photographs where the watch has the size of a plate. In real life on your wrist it doesn't look empty at all. Same for the date. Still don't 100% like the font but when I put back the 15400 the tiny date bothers me a bit.

And I also like the second hand of the 15500 (same as ROC) much more than 15400.

In fact writing this, I think I prefer the looks of the 15500 eventually.
The big "pro" of the 15400 is that its thinner and even if it's minimal, you do see the difference.

So pretty even, if the thickness of 15500 would have stayed below 10mm it would have been the clear winner for me.

They are even in my opinion.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by lovewatches1987

I have 15400 for few years and feel nothing but love. 15500 has bigger open case back, love this feature. It's a bit thicker, not sure yet if I like this fact or no. 15500's movement has 32 jewels comparing to 40 jewels in my 15400. And a 70 hour power reserve comparing to 60 hours at 15400. Would you replace 15400 with 15500 if offered at retail? Thank you

In balance I like the 15500 a little better, with the main difference being the appropriately sized movement, although the argument could go either way (the "empty" dial is more obvious in pictures than on the wrist).

But it seems the actual question is whether a 15400 is preferable to a 15500 + a $5-10k check, unless planning to keep both. In that case, color-for-color, one would really have to hate the empty dial to not make the trade.

[Emery]

I prefer the 15400 because of the dial balance, thinner case and more classic seconds hand design.

The undersized movement does bother me, but I figured you spend more time looking at the dial-side of the watch than the underside.

[supernova]

The case of the 15500 is <1mm thicker (I think 0.4mm?), don’t think that should even come into play.

The case back of the 15500 is bigger and movement much nicer than the 15400, then again how often you going to look at it. Movement is a big improvement in the 15500.

Think most of the decision comes down to preference of the dial. I personally prefer the hands an cleaner look of the 15500.

If I had the 15400, and it cost nothing to upgrade, I would get the 15500. In your case you will most like pocket money if you sell your 15400 for resell price and get the 15500 retail, that’s a no brainer for me.

If I had to add money to upgrade then I would keep the 15400.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AperolSpritz]

Originally Posted by supernova

The case of the 15500 is <1mm thicker (I think 0.4mm?), don’t think that should even come into play.

It's actually 0.6mm and it may seem like nothing but it isn't.
But my humble opinion.

[masterserg]

I like my 15400. I wouldn't mind a silver 15500.

I love every single AP.

[KBM]

Even though I support the argument that the 15500's movement fits the case better, one of the main things that I prefer on the 15400 is the presence of the small 3 o'clock hour marker (which is only there because of the smaller movement lol).

The watch being thinner is almost always a plus in my book as well, and I do think the "automatic" text balances the dial. Lastly, I love the engraved rotor on the 3120 caliber.

The 15500 is an amazing watch that I would love to get if purchasing my first RO today, but I have no plans whatsoever to trade my 15400, even if it means getting a little cash.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by AperolSpritz

It's actually 0.6mm and it may seem like nothing but it isn't.
But my humble opinion.

I stand corrected.

I’ve held and tried both in hand and did not notice any difference. It’s only if you have them side by side and look very hard will you notice the difference.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Minimalist]

I much prefer the dial layout of the 15400. Technically the 15500 is the better watch and the display case back is obviously a clear winner on the 15500, but when I have the 15400 on the wrist 90% of the time I'm looking at the dial side...really tough call but prefer more things on the 15400 than the 15500. Would I trade my 15400 for 15500, no.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[bwakus23]

Delete


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bwakus23]

Delete


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dh1]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I've owned both and MUCH prefer the 15400. The 15500 dial looks too empty and optically makes the watch look larger along with the bezel looking thinner.

I definitely agree about the dial layout. I think the 15400 dial layout looks more balanced and better aesthetically. On the back of the watch, the 15500 looks better though.

When it comes to dial color options, I think the "silver" dial of the 15450 and 15500 looks way better than the matte white of the 15300 and the 15202 first generation. I have not followed the 15400 very closely but I get the impression that the 15400 silver is substantially similar to the 15500 and 15450? Or are there 15400s that have matte dials that look more like the 15300s?

[bigbond]

15500 looks better for sure! I got it this week and its an incredible piece.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by dh1

I definitely agree about the dial layout. I think the 15400 dial layout looks more balanced and better aesthetically. On the back of the watch, the 15500 looks better though.

When it comes to dial color options, I think the "silver" dial of the 15450 and 15500 looks way better than the matte white of the 15300 and the 15202 first generation. I have not followed the 15400 very closely but I get the impression that the 15400 silver is substantially similar to the 15500 and 15450? Or are there 15400s that have matte dials that look more like the 15300s?

15450 and 15400 silver dials are the same.

[HK Islandboy]

I prefer the proportions of the dial of the 15400, but the 15500 is an absolutely wonderful piece also

[britxt0]

I don't own either of them but from discovery, the 15500 is like an upgrade of the 15400 and not a bad replacement considering the situation.

[KWSub]

I prefer the 15400.

Admittedly, the 15500 is an admirable evolution from the 15400, in many regards. The movement, power reserve, and beat rate are all upgrades. But the dial side of the 15400 is just so much better. With the shorter indices, the placement of the date wheel at the perimeter because of the movement, and the subtraction of the “Automatic” logo, there’s just way too much empty space on the dial of the 15500.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jeffnar]

I had both 15400 silver and then the 15500 Blue. Had the silver for a while and then flipped it for the 15500 Blue. Having owned both I would take the 15400 again in a heartbeat over the 15500. I could just never bond with the dial on the 15500 so I moved on. Same feedback as KWsub. It just felt to empty to me and lacked the character of the 15400 dial. I also felt that there was less white gold "pop" from the hour markers, which adds more elegance to the 15400 dial IMO.

I did pull the trigger on a 15300 Blue Dial today as the 39mm just seemed to fit my wrist best. 41 mm on my skinny wrist was just always a tad too big!

[SwissWatchCollector]

Can’t go wrong with either of them, both are great timepieces!

[macrowatch]

I think visually this depends on what you want your eyes to do. To be drawn inward towards the middle or outward towards the edges. Personal preference.

But on then note of personal preference, I'd want choice C of a franken watch.

Give me the back of the 500, give me the dial of the 400 (better balance on date marker, automatic line for symetry top/bottom), and the second hand of the 500.

[lovewatches1987]

Originally Posted by jeffnar

I had both 15400 silver and then the 15500 Blue. Had the silver for a while and then flipped it for the 15500 Blue. Having owned both I would take the 15400 again in a heartbeat over the 15500. I could just never bond with the dial on the 15500 so I moved on. Same feedback as KWsub. It just felt to empty to me and lacked the character of the 15400 dial. I also felt that there was less white gold "pop" from the hour markers, which adds more elegance to the 15400 dial IMO.

I did pull the trigger on a 15300 Blue Dial today as the 39mm just seemed to fit my wrist best. 41 mm on my skinny wrist was just always a tad too big!

Did you get 15500 blue from Boston boutique or grey market? I am also from Mass, so just wondering:) I wish I could try on 15300 but they have been discontinued long time ago( 5726 is the best Nautilus btw and also my grail

[jeffnar]

I got the 15500 from the grey market as I swapped my 15400 white for it plus some cash. I would strongly recommend that you look at both watches in person and see which dial you like better. Also very important to try them on because my wrist could not handle the 41 mm AP. It was very uncomfortable for me. The 15500 is also the thickest of the two so that adds to the size.

My 15300 just arrived today and I have to say no watch in my collection (including the Pepsi or 116500LN Daytona) fits my wrist as good as the 15300. 39mm is perfect for me and not heavy at all. It is not as thin as the 15202 but thinner than both the 15400 and 15500. Lovewatches, if you are in Mass, Shreve Crump and Lowe have a 15400 and 15300 both blue dials. I would recommend you stop by and try them on to see what fits you best. Good luck!

[lovewatches1987]

Originally Posted by jeffnar

I got the 15500 from the grey market as I swapped my 15400 white for it plus some cash. I would strongly recommend that you look at both watches in person and see which dial you like better. Also very important to try them on because my wrist could not handle the 41 mm AP. It was very uncomfortable for me. The 15500 is also the thickest of the two so that adds to the size.

My 15300 just arrived today and I have to say no watch in my collection (including the Pepsi or 116500LN Daytona) fits my wrist as good as the 15300. 39mm is perfect for me and not heavy at all. It is not as thin as the 15202 but thinner than both the 15400 and 15500. Lovewatches, if you are in Mass, Shreve Crump and Lowe have a 15400 and 15300 both blue dials. I would recommend you stop by and try them on to see what fits you best. Good luck!

I will stop by to try them on! Thanks and Congrats on 15300!

[jeffnar]

Good luck!

[ts3]

Much prefer the dial side of 15400 and voted that way, but am surprised (in a good way) that this poll is 50/50 despite 15500 being the new kid on the block.