Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Replica Comparison Review
The genuine version of the Extra-Thin Tourbillon was announced by Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Replica at the 2012 SIHH convention. The design is a really beautiful evolution of the classic Royal Oak design by Gerard Genta in 1972, with obvious modifications including case dimensions. The Extra-Thin gen was a breakthrough in tourbillon design with a thickness of only 8.85 mm.For the most part, I will analyze the details of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono replica from several points of views.Notice from the front view in particular how the replica is virtually indistinguishable from gen. Color of dial is absolutely correct to gen while replica is available in multiple colors but gen only in blue. Steel case looks good and gen also available in gold. The "Petite Tapisserie" design of the dial identifies it as an extra-thin AP (the Grande Tapisserie squares and Mega Tapisserie squares on other models are larger). I counted squares and sizing is correct. The engraving of the Petite Tapisserie is perfect, including the different directions of engraving on the tops of squares vs the "Clous de Paris" engraving on the flat. The precision and depth of the engraving are incredibly good.
I also note that the bridges of the tourbillon are more highly polished on most photos of the gen. On the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak replica, they're not exactly matte but just a little unpolished. Again, virtually indistiguishable from gen. Note the correct polished vs brushed finish on case and bezel. Only diagonal beveled surface of bezel is polished, rest brushed. It's just not "Extra-Thin." This could easily have been reduced a little with a flatter replica bezel (see how the replica bezel protrudes at least a mm farther out). The depth of the case back probably can't be helped due to the size of the Chinese tourbillon movement.
The gen like feel and finish quality of the bracelet is absolutely outstanding. It shimmers in the sunlight in a way that is difficult to describe. There should not be an AP logo at the clasp, just the words spelled out. It's not visible when fake watch is on. Also comparing to my Graham diver, which has top-notch AR. The light is the same distance and angle from the crystals of each good quality watch, but the sunburst pattern of reflection of light from the crystal is much worse on the AP Tourbillon. I do not know of gen AR quality 100% but based on photos I believe that the replica is not as good as the gen AR.
Here we start to see some cracks in the otherwise well done design of this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Lady replica. The power reserve meter is absent (not even a faux meter, which I would actually have preferred to the cut out where it should have been. The word "Swiss" is missing from next to the PR meter. There are multiple other imperfections in the fonts on the back, most notably the "Audemars Piguet" is done in normal Roman font not the typical AP logo typeface. On the wrist, none of this is obvious of course.
The logo is painted directly over the squares of the Petite Tapisserie as per gen (there is no flattened area for the logo printing). It is approximately 1/2 square too low on the replica, with the top of the "A" falling on top of a raised square rather than on the flat. My sense is the font design, size, and color is correct. The white paint might be applied somewhat more thinly on the replica. Other differences are just because it is printed too low on the Tapisserie which makes the print look slightly different.There are differences in the cannon pinion and hands between Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon replica and gen , but these are visible only with magnification. Briefly, the hands on the gen have slightly rounded surfaces and a more appealing and sculpted appearance of the joint between the hands and their bases. The cannon pin is slightly thinner and slightly sunken on the Rep but again, this is hardly visible. You can also see that the hour markers are correct width, color and length.
