Evolution of the Royal Oak Diver Series
The Royal Oak Diver models, such as the 15703 and 15710, were once highly sought after. Previously, JF made the finest replicas of these models and had even upgraded them to the V10 version. However, with JF's closure, the market for super clones of the 15710 and 15703 dwindled until ZF stepped in. Yet, many enthusiasts seemed to favor other Royal Oak models from ZF, like the 15400 and 15500. Fortunately, APS has emerged as a strong player, taking over the mantle from JF. Now, APS is the sole factory equipped to innovate better movements for Audemars Piguet replicas. Their 3120 movement is considered the most accurate clone used in their Royal Oak 15400. Moreover, APS released the V2 edition of the 15710 replica in July, which is a positive development as it's currently the only super clone 15710 available in the market.
Current Options for Replica 15720
The new Royal Oak Diver 15720 is not currently produced by ZF or APS. For those seeking a high-quality replica, the choices are between BF and IPF, with IPF offering superior quality. The images included here are from IPF. The significance of "IP" in their name remains unclear, but their 15720 replica boasts four color variations: black, grey, green, and blue. The movement, modified from the Japanese Miyota 9015, assures decent quality. IP constructs the 15720 with solid stainless steel, brushed to perfection. The case measures 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 14.2mm. Its black bezel is crafted from ceramic, featuring vertical brushing on the surface and polished edges. The angular case design is distinct to Audemars Piguet and challenging to replicate accurately, but JF previously excelled in creating stunning cases.
Dial and Movement Insights
The dial of the 15720 appears more compact compared to the 15710, whose style I personally prefer. However, the 15720's hour markers are broader, allowing for more luminous material, which enhances visibility in the dark. The inner bezel includes a yellow diving stripe with yellow numeral markers, improving the readability of the black dial. The movement visible through the crystal back features golden engravings and a prominent AP logo on the skeleton rotor. IP has dedicated effort to modify the movement, creating a reliable clone 4308. While it performs stably, it does not yet match the level of a super clone. It is anticipated that in the future, both APS and ZF will venture into producing the 15720 replicas, though likely not before mid-2023.
