Hello fellow cousins, the most frequently asked question backstage recently is how to choose between the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15500 and 15510 from the VS factory? Many brothers took a look at it and saw that they were all 41mm in diameter and similar in length. They thought it was as simple as changing the color. In fact, it is not the case. Today we will break it into pieces and give you an in-depth comparative evaluation. By the way, we will talk about the performance of the Dandong 4302 cardless movement it is equipped with. Brothers who are ready to detoxify must read it.
Disk details: core differences between 15500 and 15510
The most intuitive difference between these two watches is on the dial. Let’s talk about 15500 first, which is what we often call the previous generation model. Taking the gray plate as an example, its outer ring has a circle of scales, and the plate has Audemars Piguet’s classic “AP” letter logo, and below it is a row of English.
Looking at the new 15510, taking the blue plate as an example, the scales have been removed from the outer ring, making the design more minimalist, and all the scales are embedded in the plate. The most important thing is that 15510 has canceled the “AP” logo and only retains a row of English below.
Another small detail, the calendar background color of these two watches strictly matches the color of the disk. The gray plate 15500 is equipped with a gray background calendar, and the blue plate 15510 is equipped with a blue background calendar. This is not something that can be done by just changing the disk surface. The overall consistency is very good.
Case workmanship and wearing experience: 10.9mm thickness is the biggest surprise
When it comes to Royal Oak, what everyone is most concerned about is the texture and thickness of the shell. VS Factory has indeed put a lot of effort into these two watches. The entire case front, side edges and strap are all made of fine brushing technology, with bright chamfered edges to create a full light and shadow effect. The strap is a classic design of one section. When worn on the wrist, it will have a blingbling flash with movement, which is very eye-catching. The watch buckle uses a butterfly buckle, which opens and closes smoothly.
I would like to highlight the hexagonal screws. The VS factory did a sinking process. The sinking was about 1 mm, and the three-dimensional and layered feeling came out immediately.
What surprised me the most was its thickness. The actual measurement is only 10.9mm! As we all know, the thickness of non-chronograph models such as Daytona or Greenwich is about 12mm. The Royal Oak can reach 10.9mm, which really controls the thickness to the extreme. It is perfectly matched to the authentic version and will not get stuck when worn in the cuff of a shirt.
However, I want to give you a warning here. Because of the sharp-edged design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the edge of the case will naturally feel a little “hand-cut”. This is its family gene, not a workmanship issue. If you have sweaty hands or have particularly sensitive skin and you mind this, I suggest you buy it and have it polished all over the surface, which will make your hand feel much warmer.
Movement analysis: Dandong 4302 card-free all-in-one machine, stable and stable
No matter how beautiful the appearance is, the movement is the soul. Both 15500 and 15510 are equipped with the same movement-Dandong 4302 all-in-one machine.
Everyone who knows the industry knows that the VS factory has no carding processing directly from the factory. There is no cheap speed needle, and the adjustment and stability are at a higher level. As the Dandong 4302 all-in-one machine with the highest degree of mold opening currently on the market, its balance wheel is cleverly set at the 8 o’clock position (the yellow wheel you can see through the bottom cover is the balance wheel), achieving a structure consistent with the original product. The overall polishing is exquisite and the running time is stable. You don’t need to worry about daily wear. It can be said to be playing with the ceiling configuration of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Summary and purchasing suggestions
Finally, let’s briefly summarize and help you clarify the differences between several models. The difference between the 15500 and the older 15400 mainly lies in the tail of the second hand. The 15500 has a hollow design and is more refined.
The difference between 15500 and 15510 is purely the choice of disk style. As a newer generation model, 15510 has a more minimalist and modern dial; 15500 retains more classic elements. The two watches are completely identical in core configurations such as case, movement, and thickness.
So, which one to choose depends entirely on your personal aesthetic. If you like the classic retro style with scales on the outer ring and the AP mark, choose 15500; if you like something minimalist, capable and modern, go for 15510. Both models are sincere products from VS Factory. Once you identify the disk you like, just start detoxifying it and you’re done!