AP Royal Oak Ref: 15400 Blue

[Hanz079]

Hello everyone,

I am no stranger to Rolex watches but I recently caught the AP bug... big time...
I tried out a black dial at the local AD and i find it really nice...
But I would like some opinions... I am thinking of holding out for the blue dial to be available before I make my final decision.

My question is... does the blue dial sort of like a chameleon? That it doesn't look as blue as the pictures suggest.
Some have said that it always look really black, unless when you're under sunlight, then it will show blue... but most of the time it will look black.

Anyone here care to give some opinions?
Thanks in advance.

[Cweigler]

Hi!

I was also considering both colors before I saw them next to each other at a store.

In my optionion blue is the nicer looking and more versatile dial. Under normal conditions it looks almost black (really dark blue) but shows a greater range in the sunlight (lighter blue to grey).

I strongly suggest you wait until you can see the blue dial at a store.

Cheers

[Submarino]

The blue might look somewhat black only under certain lighting conditions but is definitely blue. There are different hues of blue depending on the amount of light hitting the dial. I personally like the blue better than the black. Something I do like about the black dial is that in certain angles it almost looks like a charcoal or graphite gray, very similar to the original Royal Oak 5402 from 1972.

[Hanz079]

My dilemma is that my current AD has the black in stock.
I have tried it... do I like it? Yeah... I really like it.
But since this is a big purchase for me, I would really like to see the blue one before I commit.
I mean will I have buyers remorse when I buy the black and later see the blue and go "Damn... The blue IS nicer"
Deep down inside I can hope it's the other way round but what if it's not?

Now my AD gave me a call to tell me that they are shipping the watch to another branch as there is some other buyer that wants it.
But the sales lady told me that she will hold it for a further 2 days and let me have a final say in wether I want it or not.

Is this a hard sell tactic? I honestly don't know.
And she goes on to say that these ref:15400 do not come easy... my wait for a blue dial could take somewhere between 2 months to a year!!
So I am currently in a dilemma... are these really that rare? I would understand if it's a 15202 "jumbo" but an entry level piece like the 15400?
Maybe some of the regulars here can tell me more.

[Submarino]

In my opinion the 15400 looks way better in black than in blue or silver.

I own the 15300 in blue and in this particular reference it looks better than the black or white dial versions.

I'd say go with the 15400 in black. Do it!!!!

[texex91]

Originally Posted by Hanz079

my wait for a blue dial could take somewhere between 2 months to a year!!

Don't believe that.

You can get one tomorrow from another AD or right here from a trusted seller.

Personally I do like the blue over black, but it's all PERSONAL choice.

Here's my white and it's great.

But don't buy because you feel pressure from a salesperson--plenty available, just maybe not from them.

[elevensheep]

I have tried all 3 colors of the 15400 on, to me I liked the blue the best follow by the blck and then the silver

[Darlinboy]

I would wait until you can see the blue in person. The best way to avoid buyer's remorse is to do you homework.

This is a new model, so IMO, will get easier, not harder, to find at alternate sources.

[TSW]

Can't go wrong with any of the available colors.
And as others already said the blue dial can look moore black in some lights.

[EchoBlueUK]

I've seen all 3 and by far the white/silver is the best imho. Blue was very dark navy and did not pop for me so it was between the black or white...

[EchoBlueUK]

Originally Posted by EchoBlueUK

I've seen all 3 and by far the white/silver is the best imho. Blue was very dark navy and did not pop for me so it was between the black or white for me...

Not sure why this ended up upside down.

[T.S.Eliot]

Silver for me. It really shows the detail in the dial compared to the two other colors.

[incontrol]

I think the Silver is the one to get.


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[Hanz079]

Thanks guys for the great advice.
I have already decided to wait until I see the blue dial in person before I make the final decision...
And after I see the blue, and still feel like I like the black... so be it... I will ask them to get me a black and wait some more... hahaha
Anyway, I come from a small town with only 1 major AD... there are no other AD to try unless I take a plane to another state...

Here are some pics when I took when I was at the AD.

[vpr80]

Ok I'll say it....the 15400 looks too big on your wrist. The 15300 might be a better fit. Bigger is not necessarily better, it has to look good proportionately on your wrist.

But to your question, I would wait for the Blue. The Black just seems a bit ordinary while the blue looks more unique and fancier.

[Adam K.]

Originally Posted by vpr80

Ok I'll say it....the 15400 looks too big on your wrist. The 15300 might be a better fit. Bigger is not necessarily better, it has to look good proportionately on your wrist.

But to your question, I would wait for the Blue. The Black just seems a bit ordinary while the blue looks more unique and fancier.

Agree with this--unfortunately (at least in these photos), the 15400 looks like its wearing you, rather than the other way round.

[dddrees]

You have to go with your heart on this one. If Blue is the one you think you want, wait and be patient. The 15400 will be availible for awhile, get the dial you prefer. If unsure wait a bit until you've had a chance to see it.


The extra wait is always worth it if you get the one you really want in the end.

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by vpr80

Ok I'll say it....the 15400 looks too big on your wrist. The 15300 might be a better fit. Bigger is not necessarily better, it has to look good proportionately on your wrist.

But to your question, I would wait for the Blue. The Black just seems a bit ordinary while the blue looks more unique and fancier.

From the pictures I agree with this. Before you purchase you might want to try the smaller 37mm model (15450 i think?) that was released with the 15400. I know that would probably be the one for me as my wrists are slim as well.

[Hanz079]

Wow... thanks for all the honest answers...
And I thought internet enablers will be asking me to pull the trigger regardless of how it looks like.
So, comparing with the 39mm ro chrono, albeit in white dial... does it look like a better fit or still looks big?
I mean, I feel the 39mm 15300 fits a little better but is discontinued and I really like the new deployants on the 15400 as it felt more solid.
I like the double hash on the 15400 more than the big ap logo...
So, there are things I like and don't like on the two models.
I am sensing some of you might be suggesting that I go for a 15202 jumbo which is best of both worlds... but unfortunately the pricing is beyond what I can afford.

[kilyung]

Get the ROC. It looks great on you!

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Hanz079

Wow... thanks for all the honest answers...
And I thought internet enablers will be asking me to pull the trigger regardless of how it looks like.
So, comparing with the 39mm ro chrono, albeit in white dial... does it look like a better fit or still looks big?
I mean, I feel the 39mm 15300 fits a little better but is discontinued and I really like the new deployants on the 15400 as it felt more solid.
I like the double hash on the 15400 more than the big ap logo...
So, there are things I like and don't like on the two models.
I am sensing some of you might be suggesting that I go for a 15202 jumbo which is best of both worlds... but unfortunately the pricing is beyond what I can afford.

Jumbo would be perfect... blue dial and 39 mm with new clasp.

Here's my 39mm 15300 on my 6.5" wrist.

[Hanz079]

Can't afford the ro chrono as well... lol
I just took a picture of the ro chrono as it is the only model at 39mm that I can try just to feel the difference between a 39mm and a 41mm...

[Hanz079]

@Kilyung

We have the same sized wrists... and it looks really good on you!!

[kilyung]

I recently tried on a 15400 but for me a RO just looks better in 39mm. JMHO.


I should mention I enjoy larger 42mm-44mm watches as well, like my BB.

[Submarino]

Both the Chrono and the RO look too big on you. Perhaps the 37mm or a 15300.


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[TSW]

Try the 15300 and the new 37mm, as the 41mm looks way to big on you.

[mb23]

39mm is all you, unfortunately the 15400 is to big on your wrist. I say go for the new 15202 the blue dial on it is to die for!

[Hanz079]

Thanks again for all the advice.
Yes, I have come to accept that 39mm is more suited on my wrist.
Luckily I did not make any pressured rash silly decision... lol

[texex91]

I will pipe in and say please don't let others make up your mind on sizing.

Most or many here don't like the 41mm. (or larger watches period).

I would only own small watches if I listened to size comments.

Get what you want and what you like. Don't let size comments deter you.

I made this mistake one time and bought 15300, and flipped 24 hours later as it was too small.

People think 44mm is too big, but I love it.

People think 15400 is too big (not to original 39mm size), but I love it.

I would just say go with your heart as you are the one wearing not anyone else.

Okay, off soapbox

[vpr80]

I don't agree with that. Plenty ppl here have both smaller and bigger models. If he was looking at a ROO, it would be fine because it's a "big" watch. Given that he is looking at a more slender model, the 15400 looks like a dinner plate on his wrist and the 15300 will look better.

For you, the opposite might be true if your are 6'4" and 250lbs. But we are all not the same size so again, bigger is not always better. There comes point where it looks funny on a smaller guy with a gigantic watch, I call it the "Flavor Flav Syndrome".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavor_Flav