Recently, a new and eye-catching product has been released on the replica bezel——APS 26331, it caused quite a stir in the player circle as soon as it was released. The biggest highlight of this watch is not that it looks like the original, but that it is finally usedThe truly reliable Dandong 4801 improved movement, which solves the old problem of “every three days is broken and every one is repaired”.
Friends who are familiar with the AP series know that in the early years, many manufacturers on the market, such as APW, also launched similar models, using the 4801 movement. However, the actual experience was quite bad: timing was inaccurate, the gears were fragile, and the repair rate was extremely high. Many buyers have to return it to the factory after buying it for a short period of time. Over time, everyone has a psychological shadow on the three words “4801”.
But it’s different now. The 26331 brought by APS this time not only retains the classic design language of the original version, but also deeply optimizes the core power. This improvedDandong 4801 movement, achieving true full-function timing synchronization-including the longest chronograph hand, 30-minute counter and 12-hour cumulative disk, all of which can operate normally and are no longer just decorations.
It is particularly worth mentioning that in many past versions, due to movement limitations, the 12-hour counter was “dead” and could only be adjusted manually, completely losing the meaning of a chronograph. But now, APS 26331 can automatically advance each frame, truly restoring the original use logic.
Let’s look at the appearance details. The three small dials on the dial (commonly known as the “three eyes”) are compactly arranged and accurately spaced, restoring the visual proportions of the original version. The edge also addedStainless steel rim design, not as bare and lacking in texture as some earlier versions. This kind of detail is the key to distinguishing “high imitation” from “fine imitation”.
A lot of effort has also been put into the disk craftsmanship. The CD pattern is clear and layered, the scales are regular and full, and the hands are polished smooth and burr-free. Whether it is under strong light during the day or low light at night, reading is very clear and comfortable. The overall surface finish is extremely high, with almost no flaws to pick.
In terms of shell covers, although APS and the previous APW may share blanks from the same supplier, the polishing level of the final product is even higher. The brushed texture is uniform and delicate, and the lines are consistent, especially on the sides and lugs. The polished surface shows a mirror-like luster, which is in sharp contrast with the brushed area and is full of layering.
What’s even more rare is that the entire watch is assembled with high precision, the case seams are tight, the handle operates smoothly, and the timing button feedback is crisp and powerful, without feeling cheap at all. This kind of exquisiteness from the inside out can no longer be achieved by simply assembling parts. Behind it is strict quality control.
At present, there are fewer and fewer AP series manufacturers on the market, and APS has almost formed a de facto “monopoly” position with its years of accumulated technical experience. They not only have a variety of integrated movement solutions, but also continue to iterate and upgrade, striving to find the best balance between stability and restoration.
Overall, if you’ve been looking for aDurable and like the originalAP style watch, then APS 26331 is indeed worthy of focus. Whether it is for daily wear or collection, it has delivered a satisfactory answer. Especially this substantial upgrade of the movement makes this watch no longer a “toy”, but a truly reliable partner that can accompany you for a long time.