Which APRO 15400 (in the context of these 3 other watches)?

[iim7v7im7]

Hi,

I have been thinking about adding an APRO 15400 to the mix lately, while culling down my collection to a more wearable size. Hypothetically, if I were to cull down to only 4 watches (two sports and two dress) assuming the other 3 watches were the Breguet, Patek and Rolex models shown; which of these two APRO 15400 models (black or silver) would you choose and why?

Thanks,

Bob

Black Dial:


Silver Dial:

[blamb]

Hello.
Why not the blue one ?

[Ramiks]

Originally Posted by blamb

hello.
Why not the blue one ?

+1

[diver2012]

I think it's impossible to pick - both look great and fit in equally well with the other 3 IMO.

[Jim12345]

Am a fan of the White, but I like the look of the Black along side your others. Although you have not listed the Blue option,Blue would seem to give the perfect variety to your collection though.

[iim7v7im7]

Regarding the blue dial, I would prefer to give my business to an AD whom I consider a friend and have a long standing relationship. Conversely, I have had two rather poor experiences at my regional AP Boutique and I would prefer not to support them. I also in general am against the overall shift away from ADs to direct sales boutiques for a number of reasons.

[AK797]

I agree, I think blue would be perfect here. Usually I would pick the white for a 400 as it has a gorgeous silver refraction but I think black is better for balance for your collection.

[lig]

1. Blue

2. Silver

[benlee]

The silver dial plays and reflects with light better but the black dial is more sharp and contrasty. I don't think other watches in your collection have any bearing on which dial color is more suitable. Just go with what you like.

[Viv Savage]

Blue

[Hairdude1]

I have a black dial 15300 and just love the way it looks in light.

[texex91]

SILVER--dress up or down!

Perfect for your collection!!

[codecow]

I was having a lot of problems deciding between your choices but then I saw people suggesting blue. Blue nails it!

[FeelingTheBlues]

I think it would be worth it to give the blue some thought indeed, otherwise I would personally prefer the silver dial.

[Demonoid]

Sorry to go agains your options,but I have to agree with my fellow TRF members. This will balance your collection on a different level.

[Presa canary]

Black

[GB-man]

Black. It's just what I like, that's all.

[Cru Jones]

I would pick the one I like best. That's what will go best with your collection.

I like the blue best.

[masterserg]

Owned both. In my opinion, black looks nicer inside, silver looks MUCH nicer in the sunshine. Blue tops both probably but at a price.

[iim7v7im7]

In the poll so far, it is fairly mixed with a slight nod to silver over black (14-11). In the postings, there is a strong vote for the blue dial despite it not being offered as a choice.

My thoughts:

- Adding the black is the sportier choice and divides the collection by dial contrast
- Adding silver creates an in between look between sports (Sub) and dress (Breguet/Patek)
- it is my impression that the detail of the dial is best shown in silver (indoor vs. outdoor comment was interesting)

Regarding the blue...

I will try to check one out, but I suspect they may be scarce even at my regional boutique. Perhaps I am in the minority here but the two times that I visited the boutique over the last few years I have found the experience to be underwhelming. A vapid environment of young beautiful model-like associates primed with arrogance and very little knowledge (not just AP, but others as well). I also feel that the "brands" (AP and others) by establishing this supply channel, are betraying the network of retail partners who shared the risk helped build these luxury brands into what they are today from the ashes of the quarts crisis. These business partners are being thrown out in the cold as the brands move towards direct sales. I know that I am in the minority here, but I prefer to deal with knowledgeable ADs who know about horology and the brand. I believe in long-term relationships (Sorry for the rant ).

I have a tremendous difficulty in supporting them.

Additionally, I own a blue Yacht-Master. While beautiful, in a culled down collection, it feels more like a novelty. I do understand that the AP dial inless vibrant.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

I know that I am in the minority here, but I prefer to deal with knowledgeable ADs who know about horology and the brand. I believe in long-term relationships (Sorry for the rant ).

In my experience a lot of ADs are similar in that they know little to nothing about the product they're selling. The AD for AP in San Francisco is notably terrible, I can't stand them.

I agree with your thoughts on boutique only pieces. I'd love to check out a ceramic diver but in order to do so I need to get on a plane to New York and cross my fingers hoping they have it when I get there. It's either that or buy it sight unseen.

So are you keeping the YM? It sounds like no, so I'm sticking with blue as my vote despite it being a bit of a pain to deal with if you want to go the retail route.

[shnxx]

Hi Bob,

When I tried these on at the shops, I liked the blue dial a lot more than the other colors (but I liked the nautilus 5711 even better).

[travisb]

As expected - 50 / 50 in your poll so far.
I love every dial offered in the 15400.
I'm voting black! Tomorrow it might be white.

[DreambreaX]

both black and white are awesome. I dont like the blue.

but for 15400 i prefer the white one.

[AK797]

Bob, I love the blue YM so I would keep that and then get a black or silver dial depending on which you prefer on the wrist. That way you can buy from where you feel comfortable.

[iim7v7im7]

Some Context to this decision...

No final decisions yet, but I have come to the conclusion that my current collection is larger than I can wear with any regularity and that I should consider narrowing down from 9 watches (current) to 4 or 5 watches. A year ago, I was up to 15 watches and I downsized this year.

Here are my current sports watches:

Chronoswiss Timemaster


IWC Spitfire Chronograph


Panerai Luminor Marina 111


Rolex Yacht-Master


Sinn U1-Tegemented


If I review my wear habits over the past number of years, I only really need a dive watch (I scuba dive) and a general water resistant sports watch.

On the dress side, I have 4 pieces that lean that direction albeit none of them are what many consider a "dress watch"

Breguet Classique 5177


Chronoswiss Regulateur 24


Patek Gondolo 5124


Ulysse Nardin Dual Time


I really am covered quite nicely with just the Breguet (rose gold enamel dial) and the Patek (white gold rose dial).

I am thinking that a Rolex Submariner 116610LN together with either an APRO 15400 (also thinking about a PP 5167 and a VC Overseas Chrono) together with the Breguet and PP will create a "wearable" collection with variety.

[s14roller]

So I have tried all 3 and here are my thoughts. I typically lean toward black
dial watches so between the 2, that's prob what I would do. White looks awesome to me when I'm looking at it a few inches away, but always seems to get washed out when I look how it looks on me overall (as in, full length mirror). I also found friends who stand a few feet away agree with the black as it pops more.

I ended up trying a blue one at some point and for some reason it really got me. I ended up picking a blue one up and have never thought about wishing I had gone black/white.

For blue, some of the trusted sellers on the board can source you one (maybe LNIB vs BNIB) but worth it, IMO.

GL.

[B. Doggy]

I voted silver and truly do love my 15300. However, if I could go back and do it again, I'd go blue.

[iim7v7im7]

Some Better images of the dials...

[shnxx]

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

Some Better images of the dials...

Was the original Genta design black or white?