Those who closely follow the activity of Audemars Piguet know that the Royal Oak 15550ST model is a special one in the collection of the great brand. More specifically, the 50th anniversary of this model is a remarkable milestone in the company’s history. Personally, I have a special attitude towards this watch. That’s because everything that followed once its launch was nothing but success after success. Today, in this article, I want to pay tribute to this extraordinary model, making a review of its replica counterpart.
The most remarkable feature of the Royal Oak 15550ST replica watch is the fabulous dial color. Its official name sounds like “Bleu Nuit Nuage 50”. Thanks to the special font, it is impossible not to notice this model from our collection of replica watches. Referring to the authentic model, the distinctive “50 years” engraving on this watch was produced only in 2022. That’s because this collection was a limited one. Thank God that we don’t have such a term as “limited edition” in the replica watch industry. Thus, we can always get spectacular models that are no longer available in their genuine versions.
Technical differences between the replica watch and the authentic model Royal Oak 15550ST
The phenomenal original model runs on a 5900 movement that provides the watch with a battery life of 60 hours. The replica model available in our stock works on the basis of an AAA-type movement. Many of you have already convinced yourself that automatic AAA-type mechanisms are quite resistant over time and have a fairly low service rate. The manufacturers have not yet sent us Swiss mechanism replica options. Still, I do not rule out that we will soon enjoy them. They promised us them for the second quarter of 2023.
The beautiful part of things is that the AAA movement is quite thin, which allowed the manufacturers to make the watch exactly as thin as the genuine model. Overall, the genuine model is slimmer than its predecessors. And in combination with the 37mm diameter of the case, the watch looks very elegant, proportionate, and subtle. In conclusion, for the 15550ST model, we have a thickness of 9.2mm (the authentic model being 9mm) and a diameter of 37mm: the perfect combination for a unisex timepiece.
Also…
I looked at the imitation rotor to see if the “50 years” inscription looks as phenomenal as it does on the original version. The accuracy of the replica watch amazed me, to be honest. The style of the engraving is imitated with extraordinary accuracy, keeping the dimensions, the font, and the thickness of the original inscription.
At the same time, I want to note that I feel this imitation differently than I felt in the previous versions of Royal Oak. I feel this watch is safer and more compact, thanks to its 316l stainless steel bracelet. The professional finishing of the bracelet generates a special comfort on the wrist. At the same time, the construction of the bracelet itself is compact, safe, and firm, and gives me a feeling of security no matter what I do with my wrist.
Water resistance
Another gratifying aspect is the fact that the imitation, just like the original model, is resistant to 50 meters of water resistance. Don’t be alarmed by the fact that the imitation lacks a screw-down, neither does the authentic model. However, the case is well “sealed” and compact enough to withstand daily water-related wear and tear.
Personally, I would not recommend you to go to the beach or the pool with this replica watch on. For your safety, it is better to remove the watch before contact with water. I say this because I am not sure if the manufacturers have tested the watch in water conditions to give a reliable prognosis regarding its resistance. Even if the manufacturers claim that it is resistant, it is best to protect it, to avoid potentially unpleasant situations. You probably know: most manufacturers do not apply the warranty in case the watch suffers any damages related to water.
Aesthetic specifications
We can’t talk about the aesthetics of this watch without talking about its stunning dial. In my opinion, the dial is the element that steals your attention in this imitation and is the most distinguished element. I would like to remind you that Geralt Genta was the master who adapted the chromatic font for the genuine model. And he did it perfectly, as he does every time.
It is obvious that replica watch manufacturers do not have the same talent to produce the font exactly as it is in the original version. However, I can’t help but notice that the knockoff font is very close to the truth, and has a margin of chromatic error of only 1%. Respectively, the Royal Oak replica looks 1% darker than the authentic version. So I can’t say that the difference is very striking.
The font is not the only element of the dial that makes me fall in love with this Royal Oak 15550ST imitation. It is also about the Grand Tapisserie pattern, which makes the blue of the dial look even more expressive. To be honest, I am very sensitive to this type of pattern. As simple as a watch would be, it looks extraordinarily luxurious and remarkable only if it has this pattern in it. Thanks to this technique, the blue of the dial plays in different senses under different angles. As a result, the blue of the dial displays several shades of it, from a calm bright to a deep dark.
As you can see…
This watch is not at all rich in functionalities. All it displays is the time and date. However, the dial looks extraordinarily rich and full thanks to the Grand Tapisserie pattern. To mark the hours, the manufacturers applied 12 stainless steel sticks, which give the whole picture a phenomenal and charming minimalist air. At the same time, the date window keeps the font of the dial, having the same intense blue. Even if the color is the same, and the frame of the aperture is quite small, I can’t say that the date is hard to read. The numbers in the date frame are black, and thanks to this contrast, you can read the date easily and quickly.
I don’t see any sense in talking too much about the octagonal shape of the case. You already know that this shape is unrepeatable and representative of the Royal Oak line. All I can add here is that I am impressed by the careful finishing of the case. The entire surface of the bezel is brushed, while the outer edge is impeccably polished.
Final conclusions
Regardless of your horological preferences, this watch must be present in your collection. I am very glad that we have such a successful imitation in our stock. I always insist that manufacturers have no moral right to make mistakes in Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin’s imitations. And this Royal Oak replication is a great example of how imitations should be done at the highest level.
To draw the final line regarding the Royal Oak 15550ST imitation, I will conclude with its advantages and disadvantages. If you ever decide to buy this replica, know what to expect.
Advantages of the Royal Oak 15550ST replica watch:
- The replica watch has the same properties as the original watch, with a micro-difference in thickness;
- The dial has an extraordinarily attractive pattern, with an intense color and a pattern that steals attention;
- The watch generates spectacular comfort due to the compactness of the bracelet and its refined texture;
- The imitation refers to a limited series of Royal Oak;
- Royal Oak 15550ST replica watch works on the basis of AAA manual movement, which has a reliable history;
- It is a unisex watch, being suitable for both women and men;
- The price is very advantageous.
Disadvantages of the Royal Oak 15550ST replica watch:
- The 38mm size may not be suitable for everyone, taking into account that current trends mostly orient toward larger sizes;
- The water resistance profile has not been confirmed by testing. Respectively, those who buy this model must be cautious with water, avoiding massive contact with water (even if the manufacturers claim that it can withstand up to 50 meters);
- The imitation comes with a metal bracelet only. It does not have leather or rubber alternatives;
- Stainless steel is 316l, not 904l. In fact, I do not consider 316 stainless steel to be a critical disadvantage. But, I leave this specification here, because I know that many of you often ask about this aspect.
This is the technical and aesthetic profile of the Royal Oak 15550ST imitation. What I can say with certainty is that this imitation is one of the most successful in the range of Royal Oak imitations. The watch has a truly fabulous and attractive design. The specific shape of the case as well as the remarkable pattern speak of both the classic and modern charisma of this watch. The more “strong” it is, the more sensitive it is. Without a doubt, this watch is a wonderful solution to look flawless every day and to be confident in yourself.