VS Factory Just Released an AP 15500: Is It Better Than APSF?

You heard VS Factory, the king of replicas, finally released an Audemars Piguet 15500. You're excited, but now you're confused. Is this new VSF version the instant new champion?

VSF's 15500 has a superior movement finish and slightly better dial details. However, APSF's new V2 version includes a free-sprung balance, a critical feature that makes it structurally more accurate to the genuine watch.

As soon as I heard VSF was entering the AP market, I was excited. Their quality is legendary in the replica world, and more competition is always good for us, the buyers. The first batch of their 15500s was hard to get, but I managed to secure a blue dial version to review. My expectations were high. VSF's only real weakness has always been their slow production speed, but their quality is never in question. Now, the big question is, did they do enough to beat the reigning king, APSF, especially with their recent upgrades? Let's take a look.

How Do the Visuals of the VSF 15500 Stack Up?

You're looking for a watch that looks perfect. You know the dial and date are the first things people see, and small flaws can ruin the entire look.

The VSF 15500 is visually stunning. Under a loupe, its dial texture is slightly better than APSF's, and on the gray dial, its date wheel has a more authentic color.

When I got the VSF 15500 in my hands, the first thing I checked was the dial. It has a beautiful gloss, very similar to the one from APSF. But when you look very closely, you can see a difference. The "tapisserie" pattern, those little squares, has slightly cleaner and more defined "steps" on the VSF. It's a minor detail, but it shows their attention to quality. The hands on the central pinion are polished beautifully, with almost no rough edges. The hour markers are the correct thin shape, just like the genuine and the APSF version. The date wheel is another small win for VSF, specifically on the gray dial version. It has a slightly yellowish, creamy tint, which is closer to the genuine color. In comparison, the APSF date can sometimes look a bit too grayish-white.

Is the VSF's Dandong Movement a Game-Changer?

You've heard that the movement is the heart of the watch. You want one that is not only reliable but also quiet and beautifully finished, just like a real luxury piece.

Yes, the VSF's Dandong 4302 clone is a superior movement. It features better finishing and uses ceramic rotor bearings, making it significantly quieter than the Shanghai movement used by APSF.

This is where VSF brings its biggest strength. They use an exclusive Dandong (DD) 4302 clone movement, and as I've always said, Dandong is the absolute peak of replica movement manufacturing. The finishing, polishing, and engraving are just a step above the Shanghai 4302 movement used in the APSF and other versions. But there's a more practical advantage. The Dandong movement uses ceramic ball bearings for its automatic rotor. The Shanghai movement uses steel ball bearings. This makes a huge difference in sound. The VSF rotor is much quieter and smoother when it spins. The steel bearings in the APSF can be a bit loud, which is a common complaint from clients who are sensitive to that sound. In terms of pure performance, finishing, and sound, the Dandong movement in the VSF is the clear winner. It's simply a better-engineered piece of machinery.

So, Which One is Actually Closer to Gen: VSF or APSF V2?

VSF has a better dial, date, and a quieter, better-finished movement. But you've heard APSF recently upgraded their watch to a "V2" with a big new feature.

For the ultimate authenticity, I recommend the APSF V2. It has a free-sprung balance movement, fixing one of the biggest "tells" of all previous AP replicas. This technical accuracy is more important than VSF's better finishing.

This is the most important part of the review, and where things get interesting. While VSF was busy perfecting the finish, APSF made a massive leap in technical accuracy. Their new V2 15500 features a "free-sprung balance." This is a huge deal. It's a more advanced way of regulating a watch that Audemars Piguet uses in the real 4302 movement. Until now, all replicas used a standard regulator, which was a dead giveaway to anyone who knew what to look for. APSF fixing this is a milestone for the hobby. So now we have a choice. The VSF has better finishing details and a quieter rotor. The APSF V2 has a movement that is structurally a 1:1 copy of the real thing. To add one more point, the VSF bracelet also has a slightly better "drape," meaning it wraps around the wrist more comfortably. But in my opinion, the shape and structure of the movement are more important than the finer points of its decoration. The free-sprung balance is a critical step in authenticating a real AP.

Conclusion

The VSF 15500 is an amazing watch with superior finishing. But for collectors seeking the highest level of accuracy, the APSF V2's free-sprung balance makes it the winner.