10 years with my AP 15300 (and it's been bullet proof)

Jul 23, 2021,14:09 PM
 

Audemars, and in particular the 3120 in-house movement, is sometimes criticized as being a bit finicky and unreliable. I have to disagree.

It’s now been 10 years (bought it new in box) with my 15300 and it’s been absolutely bullet proof without and issues and is within COSC specs despite never being serviced. The only issue is that good care must be taken to not change the time when the date is resetting within the fee hours before or after the date change over. I’ve done that a couple times and it takes a few days for the date mechanism to realign, but in my experience it has done so on its one each time I’ve made this error.

It’s insane what’s happened with the pricing of these, especially the blue, but it really is a great watch.

(Photo is with some flowers at the peak of hydrangea season in NE).







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Love to read these positive long-term reviews.

 
 By: Lankysudanese : July 23rd, 2021-14:33
And a wonderful ‘nature’ photo to boot!!?? 💪🏿💪🏿 I got into the AP RO game after they’d upsized from 39mm to 41mm (15409). Never tried-on a 39mm RO, but have heard about how the fit on the wrist is much better (not to mention the movement fitting the case)... 

Thanks. My experience is that you need to be careful about resetting during the date change

 
 By: descartes1 : July 23rd, 2021-15:37
It may be that the later versions of the 3120 (like in your 15400) tried to correct this somehow but it’s best to be careful. (Rolex is the only watch I have where no care is needed during the date change and you can even wind it backwards to the precedin... 

Awesome story...

 
 By: pfang56 : July 23rd, 2021-15:42
Wish I had the fortitude to stick with a single watch for that long! You were definitely ahead of the curve. I hit myself in the head for dropping the EOD blue dial, the original beast, the EOD white dial, a RG Rubberclad, among many other AP watches. It'... 

The 15300 is a great reference. Early production pieces did have some movement issues.

 
 By: MichaelC : July 23rd, 2021-17:20
But we are talking more like 2005-2006 here. They were quickly rectified and the 3120 has proven itself a dependable workhorse.

I second that

 
 By: gsoliman : July 23rd, 2021-19:36
I have really enjoyed mine, as well. I am the second owner of this one which I picked up in 2008 or so. I have liked the robust feeling of the case and also have felt the 3120 is quite reliable. It is nit the watch I wear most, but I can not stop staring ...  

Impressive blue dial version…

 
 By: ArmisT : July 24th, 2021-00:22
One of the top pieces in my collection. However, my 15300 does need a service after all these years…but I’m reluctant to do so because my understanding is that they will switch out the dial and date wheel. But i like the more pale blue color of current di... 

Mine says hello!

 
 By: JoeJ : July 24th, 2021-01:33
Can’t say that’s been 10 years…more like 4 months, but it’s been a very reliable daily companion! ...  

A decade with AP

 
 By: Weems@8 : July 24th, 2021-03:02
It must be an exiting journey. A decade is something special. I had a Seiko, still at my place for a decade, but no reason to celebrate it. Just dislike that solid and accurate watch. Interesting you want to adjust the date always. My advice is to let it ...  

Great piece at a perfect size 👌

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : July 31st, 2021-20:27