15400 vs 15300 and availability in Dallas or Houston

[jjnd08]

I'm fairly confident I want to flip my Daytona for a RO. The only problem is...which one?

Also, I cannot find a 15300, or even a 15202 for a 39mm size, to try on anywhere in Dallas! Does anyone have any suggestions on where to look? I go to Houston every now and then, so I'd be okay with any suggestions there.

I think I'm more of a fan of the dial on the 15400 and colored date wheel, but I still want to see the 15300.

My wrist can really support any of them, but I'd love to get opinions of the Forum. Below are wrist shots of the 15400, 15450, and a shot of the daytona and how it looks on my arm. The 15450 isn't under consideration, but it offers some perspective.

[lapince]

Yeah you can definitely wear big, even 47mm, Since you have big arms and wrists I would go not even 41mm but 42 or more, but that's me...

[thomaspp]

Have not been in Texas in years so no help man. Maybe this helps though.

[mustangtornado]

Always worth trying DeBoulle's used watches. I tried on a 15202 there in the past.

[wisguy]

The 15400 looks good on you, go for it.

[malarky_hk]

Dude....contact Thanh Do. He's based near Houston and currently has 2 15202s listed for sale. He's the man and I'm sure he can hook you up.

I'd definitely go for the 15202 over 15400.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Dude....contact Thanh Do. He's based near Houston and currently has 2 15202s listed for sale. He's the man and I'm sure he can hook you up.

I'd definitely go for the 15202 over 15400.

As I was reading the thread I was going to type the exact same thing. Message Thanh

[JLace]

Very hard to find a 15300 and 15202 In houston...people dont resell 15300s often here And 15202s get claimed as soon as they hit the shelves.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

As I was reading the thread I was going to type the exact same thing. Message Thanh

+ 2 I bought mine from him and was going to say the same thing.


Sent from my iPad (so I blame autocorrect for the spellin' errs)

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by lapince

Yeah you can definitely wear big, even 47mm, Since you have big arms and wrists I would go not even 41mm but 42 or more, but that's me...

Thanks for the feedback, Arnaud! 41 is really my limit as far as what I think looks best on my wrist (other than the grande reverso); plus, anything bigger makes it a bit of a challenge to get under a french cuff shirt.

Originally Posted by thomaspp

Have not been in Texas in years so no help man. Maybe this helps though.

Thank you, my friend! I have looked at so many pictures recently, I really just need to get a 39mm RO on my wrist to try one out. I've looked at old threads on here, and TRF seems pretty split on the 15300 or 15400.

Also, you should make it to Texas. There is so much to see and do here...and if you like BBQ, Texas is a must!

Originally Posted by mustangtornado

Always worth trying DeBoulle's used watches. I tried on a 15202 there in the past.

I shot them an email a couple weeks back, and they didn't have any at the time. I may try them again.

Originally Posted by wisguy

The 15400 looks good on you, go for it.

Thank you; I may end up doing that!

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Dude....contact Thanh Do. He's based near Houston and currently has 2 15202s listed for sale. He's the man and I'm sure he can hook you up.

I'd definitely go for the 15202 over 15400.

I thought about getting in touch with Thanh Do, but as I am still about a month away from pulling the trigger on something, I wanted to wait. If he had a store front, I totally would; but to my knowledge, he does not.

Also, I am debating between the 15300 or 15400. The price and lack of second hand on the 15202 keeps it from being a contender. I didn't think the lack of a second hand was an issue until I realized I missed one when I had my JLC.

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

As I was reading the thread I was going to type the exact same thing. Message Thanh

I like hearing the positive feedback!

Originally Posted by JLace

Very hard to find a 15300 and 15202 In houston...people dont resell 15300s often here And 15202s get claimed as soon as they hit the shelves.

Same in Dallas. I was talking to a guy that runs a watch and diamond shop here, and he said that the ROs tend to be more popular on the coasts than in TX, so they don't last long if they hit a second hand shop. Whether that's true or not is a different story.

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

+ 2 I bought mine from him and was going to say the same thing.


Sent from my iPad (so I blame autocorrect for the spellin' errs)

Great feedback!

[jjnd08]

Comments on the size based on my wrist and arm size are also appreciated!

[ec00421]

I think 15400 fits you perfectly

[lmcgbaj]

15300 for sure.

[Cru Jones]

they all look good (including the daytona), but, just because one can wear the 15400, doesn't mean one *should*. i would hold out for the 15300.

[improviz]

There is an AD listed in Dallas on AP's website (Markham's used to handle the line but no longer do, I believe AP took it from them):
Eiseman
8687 n. central expressway
suite 514
dallas, tx 75225

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by ejsc421

I think 15400 fits you perfectly

Thank you!

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

15300 for sure.

What's your reason for the preference of the 15300, George?

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

they all look good (including the daytona), but, just because one can wear the 15400, doesn't mean one *should*. i would hold out for the 15300.

Cru, same question, what's your reason for the 15300 over the 15400?

[h999r]

I agreed to ejsc421 , I would go with 41mm if I were you. It fits you perfectly. 15300 would be too small.

[Vipes]

I would go for the 15202>15300>15400. IMO, the 15202's movement and history makes it more special.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

What's your reason for the preference of the 15300, George?

Just to put it in perspective. I've had both 15400 and 15300. My wrist size is 6.75 inch flat. Although 15400 fits me fit, it was borderline and although it looked OK, it did not have the perfect fit that 15300 has. As a reference 15300 wears in between a 16610 and 116610. Larger than a Daytona for sure. I found that 15300 was just perfect for me while 15400 was just OK. Also, once you own a 15300 or 15202, you will definitely understand why 39mm is the perfect Royal Oak size.



Some of my pics for your reference.

[lmcgbaj]

And here is my old 15400:

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

I'm fairly confident I want to flip my Daytona for a RO. The only problem is...which one?

Also, I cannot find a 15300, or even a 15202 for a 39mm size, to try on anywhere in Dallas! Does anyone have any suggestions on where to look? I go to Houston every now and then, so I'd be okay with any suggestions there.

I think I'm more of a fan of the dial on the 15400 and colored date wheel, but I still want to see the 15300.

My wrist can really support any of them, but I'd love to get opinions of the Forum. Below are wrist shots of the 15400, 15450, and a shot of the daytona and how it looks on my arm. The 15450 isn't under consideration, but it offers some perspective.

Contact me and I'll give you a hand.

[Joearch]

15400 is just the right size. Best overall proportions, feels great on the wrist.

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by improviz

There is an AD listed in Dallas on AP's website (Markham's used to handle the line but no longer do, I believe AP took it from them):
Eiseman
8687 n. central expressway
suite 514
dallas, tx 75225

Thank you, I've been there a few times to try on the 15400, but they don't have a 15300 or 15202.

Originally Posted by h999r

I agreed to ejsc421 , I would go with 41mm if I were you. It fits you perfectly. 15300 would be too small.

Appreciate the feedback, part of me feels the same.

Originally Posted by Vipes

I would go for the 15202>15300>15400. IMO, the 15202's movement and history makes it more special.

Thanks. 15202 is not an option. The price and lack of second hand kills it for me

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

Just to put it in perspective. I've had both 15400 and 15300. My wrist size is 6.75 inch flat. Although 15400 fits me fit, it was borderline and although it looked OK, it did not have the perfect fit that 15300 has. As a reference 15300 wears in between a 16610 and 116610. Larger than a Daytona for sure. I found that 15300 was just perfect for me while 15400 was just OK. Also, once you own a 15300 or 15202, you will definitely understand why 39mm is the perfect Royal Oak size.



Some of my pics for your reference.

Really appreciate all of the comparison shots!

Originally Posted by Submarino

Contact me and I'll give you a hand.

PM sent!

Originally Posted by Joearch

15400 is just the right size. Best overall proportions, feels great on the wrist.

It did feel great, I think you may be right.

[flight89]

I think both 15300 and 15400 would fit you well from a size perspective. When I saw them side by side the 2 main aesthetic differences that stuck out to me were the bezel to dial ratio and the "reflectivity" of the dials (the 15300 dials are more matte and don't glisten as much). Personally I liked the 15300 proportions but the color of the 15400 dials which led me to the 15202, but the lack of seconds is a deal breaker for me too.

[improviz]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

Thank you, I've been there a few times to try on the 15400, but they don't have a 15300 or 15202.

Yeah...300 has been discontinued for some time now, would have to find a preowned one for that I reckon...202 is just a rare bird full stop. As others have said, with your size the 400 would do fine, imo, but I know where you're coming from to want to try the others on first.

[zama]

15400 looks prefect lovely clean dial and great for a big wrist.

[AK797]

I prefer the dial layout of the 400, not a huge fan of the large AP at 12 on the 300, however the 300 is maybe better proportioned altho a little squashed perhaps for an AP, so if the 400's dial does not feel overlarge then that would be my choice, esp the black dial as it reduces the perceived size. As you know I prefer the ROC at 41mm as the subdials fill up the dial nicely, but I know this is not for you due to the date window, but then again the 400's date placement is "wrong".

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by flight89

I think both 15300 and 15400 would fit you well from a size perspective. When I saw them side by side the 2 main aesthetic differences that stuck out to me were the bezel to dial ratio and the "reflectivity" of the dials (the 15300 dials are more matte and don't glisten as much). Personally I liked the 15300 proportions but the color of the 15400 dials which led me to the 15202, but the lack of seconds is a deal breaker for me too.

Appreciate the comparison! The dial to bezel ratio does appear different on the two. In pictures, the 300 bezel appears larger compared to the dial; 400 bezel looks a little smaller compared to the dial. I don't know if that was a design change, or if it's an optical illusion due to the larger dial on the 400.

Originally Posted by improviz

Yeah...300 has been discontinued for some time now, would have to find a preowned one for that I reckon...202 is just a rare bird full stop. As others have said, with your size the 400 would do fine, imo, but I know where you're coming from to want to try the others on first.

I am starting to sway to the 400, but like you mentioned, in an ideal world I would be able to try on the 39mm.

Originally Posted by zama

15400 looks prefect lovely clean dial and great for a big wrist.

Many thanks, Craig!

Originally Posted by AK797

I prefer the dial layout of the 400, not a huge fan of the large AP at 12 on the 300, however the 300 is maybe better proportioned altho a little squashed perhaps for an AP, so if the 400's dial does not feel overlarge then that would be my choice, esp the black dial as it reduces the perceived size. As you know I prefer the ROC at 41mm as the subdials fill up the dial nicely, but I know this is not for you due to the date window, but then again the 400's date placement is "wrong".

Thanks, Neil! I agree with your 400 vs 300 comparison of the dials. A lot of purists aren't a fan of the date placement on the 400s, but as someone new to the brand, I kind of like that little "nub" next to the date. It's amazing how the date window makes or breaks a watch for so many people.

I did try on your ROC at the AD, it is a thing of sheer beauty! I loved the heft of it too, and since the ROC isn't super thick, it was well balanced weight.

[improviz]

I agree, the 400 would have been better proportioned with a slightly larger bezel/slightly narrower dial, and if the bezel was a bit taller it would suit me better as well while I'm nitpicking. :) Having said that, I like the dial itself more and prefer the double batons at 12:00 to the AP symbol, though of course ymmv...

[kilyung]

I agree with 39mm > 41mm RO. Nothing wrong with 15400 but 39mm just feels right. No different than 40mm DD looking better than 41mm DD2. 41mm is borderline ROO size IMO.