15202+15400 @ NY boutique today

[tonupbklyn]

so after having been SO convinced of the 15400 blue dial, i've been twisted around by being introduced to the 15202.

the rep at the boutique contacted me to let know that a 202 had just come in (reserved for another buyer), and that i should see both side-by-side to make final judgment.

and so, here's what i observed (and most of this is obviously my subjective POV):

- the blue on the 202 is definitely (far more) matte than the 400...the difference is immediately noticeable. i've previously described the 400's dial to 'sparkle' in different angles of light; the 202 really doesn't sparkle at all, it's very muted (or understated).

- the weight and feel of the 202 is considerable less heft than the 400. this point is obvious in terms of size and amount of material of the case/bracelet. however, once worn, the feel is night and day. the 400 you 'feel' it on you...and (good or bad) it's very 'noticeable' (aka bling). whilst the 202 is not noticeable at all (feels like my Explorer 1 or my JLC reversos...barely there feel).
having said that, i'm certain the 202 is heavier than my Exp 1 and reversos...but having worn the 400 literally 30seconds before, the 202 feels too light. i'm sure that had i not worn the 400 at all, the 202 would actually feel like it had more presence on the wrist.

- many have described the 202 to feel 'fragile' - and whilst i'm sure it's robust enough, i do understand the sentiment. again, i think the label of 'understated' in both physical presence and feel is more appropriate here.
the bracelet is significantly different presence and feel. like i said, overall the 202 feels unnoticed on the wrist.

- the size of the 400 is what i'm used to (having come from ROO, JLC EWC, PAM118 and other chunky watches). however, i have been downsizing recently with others (Exp 1, Reversos, IWC 5001)...and whether it's age or just a change in taste, i do think the smaller sizes are beginning to 'fit' me more.
400 looks amazing on the wrist - presence, dial bling, feel of weight, etc.
but the 202 looks 'right'.

i'm sure there's much more but my head is swirling because in many ways i didn't want to see both side by side cuz i knew i was going to be torn in choosing. furthermore, i don't think i'm 100% convinced in one direction over another. having said all that, a few reasons why the 202 is perhaps more 'right'.

- the size thing...like i said, whether age or change in taste, i think i'm going toward more the 'understated' watches. it's probably why i'm trying to purge my personal collection of many of the chunky models.

- i REALLY REALLY REALLY like the dial on the 400 over the 202. the 202 seems perhaps too understated. however, it had dawned on me during the 20minutes i spent staring at the two watches at the boutique: will i some day soon get over the sparkly excitement of that 400...just like i had with the ROO which i've only had for 6 month, and am now considering clearing to make room for a RO! my collection is now going toward models that are completely under the radar...and i kinda like that.

- the 202 is considerably more in price, and the 400 is already damn expensive! but there is one financial rationale that seemed to hit with me: the 400 will very likely devalue in 3-5 years, whereas the 202 may increase in value or worst case stay same.
and if for whatever reason later i have a change of heart and want that shiny dial 400, then i have a far better chance of retaining/increasing my return with the 202.

sooo....
i actually almost walked out of the boutique with the 202. was trying to work out a out-of-state thing, but we couldn't come to an agreement.
maybe that's a good thing...i can use this time to continue twisting myself up about which one to get

my comparative statement to the rep about these, to which he said sounded very appropriate:
the 400 looks spectacular; the 202 is just beautiful.

[APAP]

I might get murdered for saying this; but I prefer the blue 400 by a mile.

[tonupbklyn]

IMO, the LOOK of the 400 wins over the 202. there is more depth when u look into the dial - from the color and height of the tapisserie, to even the indices are taller. the 202 is so much more compact in feel and presence...and that's obviously by design as it's supposed to be 'ultra thin'. the dial on the 400 truly does sing, the 202 is just humming along.

i am trying to convince myself of the history of, the movement of, the symbolic DNA of....all that is supposed to be the hallmarks of this model to the AP brand. and i get all that.

moreover, i do think that (for me) perhaps the 202 will stand the test of time, better than the 400...as i've said, when i was younger i was attracted more the the traits of the 400 (and still am)...but if my collection is a reflection of my evolving taste, it's definitely going more towards the traits of the 202.

[Vipes]

Go with the classic 15202. This piece is a classic and icon. It will never get old.

[thomaspp]

you should buy the jumbo (15202) and not think twice. buy from a gray dealer and not the boutique.

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by thomaspp

you should buy the jumbo (15202) and not think twice. buy from a gray dealer and not the boutique.

i had been considering this but i'm not seeing a significant drop in price via gray dealer (at least not on ebay).

can anyone PM me a few reputable dealers that have this model.

also, the 5yr warranty from the boutique is also quite attractive.
and can avoid taxes by having it shipped to one of my offices out-of-state.

[martinr]

15202 vs 15400

[tonupbklyn]

martinr - u have both?!
if so, do u find them somewhat redundant?

the other thing about going the 202 route is that i can better rationalize keeping my offshore...distinct enough from each other, very far apart in the royal oak spectrum.

vs, if i went the 400 route, i find the size/heft competes with the ROO, and would be more practical to let go of the offshore.

[martinr]

I had both, sold the 15400 soon after getting the 15202.

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by martinr

I had both, sold the 15400 soon after getting the 15202.

[Minimalist]

They're both fantastic and beautiful pieces in their own respect. You make some good points, the 15202 definitely holds it value much better from what ove seen. The blue dial is also quite beautiful, I prefer the blue on the 202 than the 400. I also love the rotor on the 202.

Having said all that my personal preference is the 400 simply because I like having a seconds hand, I don't like small watches so the size of the 400 is much more to my liking and the price was much more appealing :)

But you rationale seems well founded so go for the 202, ultimately you know which one deep in your heart you want ;)

[texex91]

202

[mws222]

Jumbo.

[lapince]

The 202 is clearly the one to get, the 39mm and ultra thin case and bracelet are top notch, the 400 is really not playing in the same category, the 39mm proportions are perfect, whereas the 41mm is IMHO just a little too big for a plain dial and that design, for a skeleton, chrono or other sub dial RO's sure, 41mm is fine, but 39 is really perfect for that design, I saw both in real and loved the 202 but was underwhelmed by the 400, went for the 300 myself, 39mm but a little thicker, as I have 3 ultra thin Pateks I thought it was a better idea, but the 202 is the king, 202>300>400 for me

[jem7v]

Originally Posted by tonupbklyn

so after having been SO convinced of the 15400 blue dial, i've been twisted around by being introduced to the 15202.

the rep at the boutique contacted me to let know that a 202 had just come in (reserved for another buyer), and that i should see both side-by-side to make final judgment.

and so, here's what i observed (and most of this is obviously my subjective POV):

- the blue on the 202 is definitely (far more) matte than the 400...the difference is immediately noticeable. i've previously described the 400's dial to 'sparkle' in different angles of light; the 202 really doesn't sparkle at all, it's very muted (or understated).

-

Be careful. I got flamed in another thread for saying the 15400 blue is more vibrant than the 15202 lol. I'm glad someone else came to the same conclusion. I thought it was pretty obvious side by side. Also as far as comparison IMO the only 3 advantages the 15202 has is as follows:

1. Resale. You won't lose money if you buy from an AD. You'll lose very little even from a boutique. Well you'll lose 4k which if you get a 15400 at 25% off from an AD, you'd lose roughly the same. From an AD you could get 18-19k and barely lose anything.

2. The thinness. I love how thin it is. If they made a 41mm as thin as the 15202 I'd be in heaven.

3. The caseback. Just looks way nicer and the historical movement is a plus.

If these 3 mean nothing, (you could probably cross out 1 unless you are holding 10+ years) the 15202 is not worth it. Get a RO chrono next year when they put the in house movement in it. Now unless it having the historical movement yada yada yada means everything to you, then that could be point number 4. I think 99% of AP buyers don't care though. They just want the bling/cool factor they have.

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by jem7v

Be careful. I got flamed in another thread for saying the 15400 blue is more vibrant than the 15202 lol. I'm glad someone else came to the same conclusion. I thought it was pretty obvious side by side. Also as far as comparison IMO the only 3 advantages the 15202 has is as follows:

1. Resale. You won't lose money if you buy from an AD. You'll lose very little even from a boutique. Well you'll lose 4k which if you get a 15400 at 25% off from an AD, you'd lose roughly the same. From an AD you could get 18-19k and barely lose anything.

2. The thinness. I love how thin it is. If they made a 41mm as thin as the 15202 I'd be in heaven.

3. The caseback. Just looks way nicer and the historical movement is a plus.

If these 3 mean nothing, (you could probably cross out 1 unless you are holding 10+ years) the 15202 is not worth it. Get a RO chrono next year when they put the in house movement in it. Now unless it having the historical movement yada yada yada means everything to you, then that could be point number 4. I think 99% of AP buyers don't care though. They just want the bling/cool factor they have.

Can you still get the 15202 at ADs? I thought it is boutique only.

[texasmade]

Would AP really release a new set of ROC's with an inhouse movement after they just refreshed the ROC? My guess is they'll wait a few years before releasing the ROC with an inhouse movement.

[Tay821]

Why not look at the 15450 blue? It's not boutique only and if you like the blue that has more sparkle but not the heft, that might work for you

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by Tay821

Why not look at the 15450 blue? It's not boutique only and if you like the blue that has more sparkle but not the heft, that might work for you

they had a silver 15450 at the boutique a few weeks back when i first tried on the 400...it just looked way too small for me. i can handle 39...it's about as small as i'll go...but not 37, it felt like a bracelet on the wrist.

[subtona]

I knew the second I put them on my wrist.

202 for me.

[robin hood]

The 15400 is spectacular and the movement isn't as thin as that in the 202. I think the thinner movements are more fragile, and AP-repairs are expensive. Personally, I very much prefer the 15400 with the white dial. A bit more dressy and perhaps one that I wouldn't grow tired of too soon. I find myself wearing my white IWC more often than the Rolex blue sub TT or my black Pan 312, two of my bolder colored dials. Frankly I'd go with the 400---blue or white. It is spectacular!

[earlmale]

The 15202 has perfect proportions. I just got rid of my 15400. Like you, I'm purging my collection of chunky pieces. I'm getting older, have a smaller wrist, and I'm embracing it. Also, once you get into thinner watches, thicker ones just feel crude. My patek 5711 made me look at the 15400 very differently.

[AK797]

My ideal would be the 400 dial on the 202, same as the 5711p blue dial on the SS. I love Genta and his designs but his colours are a bit muted.

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by AK797

My ideal would be the 400 dial on the 202

YES!
but just the tapisserie itself. the placement of signage and white text labels i actually prefer on the 202.
the 'automatic' on the 400 is odd all my itself on the bottom - i much prefer it as an afterthought as nicely done under the name on the 202. and the AP signage getting all the spotlight on the bottom.

[lig]

The proportions on the Jumbo are sublime.

[red1108nyc]

202 no doubt within this comparison. My personal RO preference would be the 15300 in blue.

[GB-man]

Sounds to me like you want the 15400. Nothing wrong with that.

[Chadridv]

Wow, does the 15202 really that much smaller than the 15400?

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Wow, does the 15202 really that much smaller than the 15400?

yes it's noticably smaller, both in terms of how it looks and feels on the wrist.

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Sounds to me like you want the 15400. Nothing wrong with that.

at this point i really don't know.
i think it's the difference between lust (400) and love (202)